Health Care Opt-Out Amendment Passes Second Committee Hurdle

The Senate Judiciary Committee moved forward Senate President Mike Haridopolos' bill placing a constitutional amendment before voters to allow the state to opt out of the individual mandate portion of the Affordable Care Act, the federal health-care overhaul.

Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, was the only no vote. The bill, which is a joint resolution with an identical bill in the House, passed through the Health Regulation Committee last month, receiving two no votes along partisan lines. Joyner said she wanted to see the court challenges against the federal health law proceed further before tackling the issue.

"Really we are ahead of the game and need to step back and let it work its way through the courts," Joyner said.

"