Smith Disappointed in Failure of Health Freedom Act

HIXSON, JUNE 3 – Third District Congressional Candidate Robin Smith today expressed disappointment with the failure of Tennessee House Budget Subcommittee to stand with Tennesseans against the federal takeover of the American health care system.

In a party-line vote on Wednesday, the subcommittee defeated the Tennessee Health Freedom Act with independent Representative Kent Williams exercising his authority as speaker to cast the deciding vote to kill the measure.

“It is disappointing to see politicians more concerned with pleasing their power base than responding to the wishes of the majority of Tennesseans,” Smith said. “First with the Attorney General’s refusal to join efforts to limit this overreach of the federal government into our states and now with Mr. Williams joining his liberal masters in the House to defeat this commonsense measure, it is clear which party in Tennessee stands on the side of defending us from an intrusive and growing federal government. This failure to adequately address the concerns and wishes of Tennesseans demonstrates why we must first defund ObamaCare and then repeal it on the federal level.”

Smith thanked the Republicans on the subcommittee for their votes in support of the Health Freedom Act and pledged to work with them as a partner in Congress to reverse the law and replace it with reforms that will lessen the financial impact on the state. “Each of the representatives who chose to stand on the side of Tennessee should be congratulated. Working together we can have true reform that protects the states, increases access, keeps trial lawyers out of the hospital room, lowers cost and provides real choices to Tennesseans.”