Colo. Republicans Push Bill to Opt Out of Fed Healthcare

Colorado Republican state lawmakers moved forward a bill Tuesday that would have the state opt out of the federal healthcare law. The bill passed the House Health and Environment Committee in a party-line vote, and it now goes to the House Appropriations Committee before moving on to the full Republican-led House, the Denver Post reported Wednesday.

The measure would allow Colorado to join an interstate compact to opt out of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that became federal law last year.

Tea party activists speaking at a public hearing were split on the bill.

Rick Barnes of Craig, representing the Bears Ears Tea Party Patriots, opposes the bill, saying that it would create more bureaucracy despite its intent.

"It's putting more government oversight into health care," Barnes said. "To opt out of this compact, if we need to, is almost impossible."

Michael Short of the Tea Party Patriots Denver supports the bill, arguing the opposite saying the bill would give the state more freedom from federal control.

"Coloradans are best governed by Coloradans," Short said.