Senate Democrat explains vote against health insurance mandate...

Newport News Sen. John Miller was one of five Democrats who joined with Senate Republicans to pass three bills that would make it illegal to require individuals to purchase health insurance.

In some circles the Virginia bills are seen as a significant blow to Democratic efforts to reform health care in Washington, but others say the legislation sends a message but does little to derail reform efforts. For Miller, the decision came down to the simple idea that the federal government would be mandating a purchase.

"This is the first time they've said every American has to buy a product," Miller said. "What's next?"

Miller said mandates on car insurance are different because people have options, including taking the bus or walking to work. Miller said a health insurance mandate would not leave options and simply levy a fine.

"It's important to send a message at times and the federal government ought no to be deciding every aspect of how we live our lives," Miller said. "This was an opportunity to say 'enough.' "

Since the vote earlier this week, Miller said he's gotten hundreds of emails notes thanking him for his vote and only a few missives from folks upset with his decision. Miller insists that his vote was not against reform, but rather against requiring citizens to line up a buy something.

"I think health care needs to be reformed," Miller said. "This wasn't an anti-reform vote."

Miller said that if the federal effort to reform health care is successful at lowering prices, bringing down premiums and increasing health care access - then people won't have to be told to go out and buy insurance. It's important to note that even Democrats have disagreed over mandates before - and it's unclear if a mandate would survive in Washington because the bills are sitting in limbo.

"Every American ought to have health insurance, but I don't think it ought to be demanded of us," Miller said. "The smart ones will get insurance."

The bills are almost certain to pass the House of Delegates and Gov. Bob McDonnell has also indicated his support for them.  

Here's the breakdown on how the Senate voted.

(Sen. Miller has a committee hearing tomorrow morning so he won't be able to join us for a 9:30 a.m. live chat - but we'll still be talking about the vote and getting some perspective from readers on it. Come on back tomorrow and lob in a question or two.)

Click here for the Washington Post's look at the vote. Which includes some differing interpretations of the bills.

Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli II (R) said such measures could help Virginia's government establish standing to intervene in a lawsuit against the federal government, should Congress pass a bill that includes an individual mandate.

"It's a strong political message," said Cuccinelli, who has been studying possible legal action.

Other legal scholars and many of the senators who voted against the measure said they thought it would have little practical impact because it would be preempted by federal law.

"This would not be worth the paper it's written on, and everybody knows it," said Sen. Richard L. Saslaw (D-Fairfax). "Everybody knows this bill is nothing more than a brochure bill."

Comments

[ruth]

Thank you John Miller for not going with the crowd and doing what is right. SS,and Fica are forced taxes, but that doesn't mean we wanted them either. So lets try another excuse people. Less government interference the better. Most politician do not have our best interest at heart-neither republican or democrat.

[Cheryl Ansell]

What would be better is if all those forced purchases went away. I do much better in my 401(k) than SS does. I would rather control my own money rather than let a bunch of sleazy, cloakroom peddling senate crackheads spend it for me. As for FICA it aught to be done away with and we aught to have a national sales tax instead. Let all the welfare loafers finally pay some taxes into the system.

[GOP SUX]

FICA is "Federal Insurance Compensation Act", a federal insurance mandate!. Wow, seems some Senator's need to go back to history class.

Too bad the working poor and the those with pre-existing conditions are too stupid, according to Miller, to be able to spend 40, 50 60% or more of their pay check on health insurance premiums. Who needs food and a roof when there are millionaire insurance moguls to pay.

[GOP SUX]

News Flash to our tepid senators kowtowing to the rabid Obama is a foreign born Kenyan Commie in need of impeachment teabaggers , try and buy a house in Buckroe, Ocean View or other water front areas without the FEDERALLY MANDATED NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM. Gesh, fop stupidity is now becoming infectious to Democrats. GROW A PAIR!

Let's be consistent and kiss crazy cooch's backside and eliminate this insurance mandate too, Okay!

[Corey]

Has anyone told John Miller that Social Security, FICA and other taxes are forced "purchases" too? I guess you get what you pay for in a state senator ($18K?)