Senate Preps Health Care Freedom Act for Final Vote on First Day

The Health Care Freedom Act, which would place an amendment to the state Constitution on the 2012 ballot allowing Floridians to opt out of the individual mandate portion of the year-old federal health care law, is ready for a final vote in the state Senate after being introduced by Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island.

The measure is a joint resolution with the House, but whereas Haridopolos has pushed the bill through three committees ahead of the start of the 2011 regular legislative session Tuesday, the House version is yet to get its first committee airing.

The Florida Senate has now adjourned until it regroups later on Tuesday before heading across the hall in the Capitol to the House chambers to hear Gov. Rick Scott give his State of the State speech at 6:05 p.m.