By Constitution Staff

A team of activists and concerned citizens has been formed to support legislative efforts to counter the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), or ObamaCare) in Oklahoma. The name STOP, for Stop ObamaCare Penalties (Now), has been adopted by the group with representatives in all corners of the state. Taking their lead from the immensely popular State Question 756, which passed by a 65% to 35% margin in 2010, the STOP team will work to inform the public about pending and proposed legislation that will aid the public in their battle to control their own health care, free from federal mandates.

Several dozen concerned citizens, activists and leaders of various limited government groups met in December to organize against the upcoming ObamaCare implementation. In addition to significantly increased premiums and deductibles, a number of people have been moved to part-time jobs in an effort by businesses to shift the cost of insuring their employees. Finally, the legal consequences of the Act pose a threat to individual freedom and liberty should someone choose not to comply.

The first speaker to address the group was former State Representative Charles Key (R-Oklahoma City). He detailed the legislative battle and competing bills that resulted in State Question 756. State Representative Lewis Moore (R-Arcadia), Chairman of the State's Rights Committee of the Oklahoma Legislature, discussed legislation that will be introduced in the in the upcoming session. He laid out the case for imposing the State of Oklahoma between the citizens and the federal government. His efforts are focused on stopping federal overreach and intrusion in the lives of everyday people. During his discussion, he also pointed to recent efforts in both South Carolina and Georgia as examples of what is being done around the nation, and what is coming in Oklahoma.

Bob Donohoo, who is a Vice President of the Oklahoma Conservative Political Action Committee (OCPAC) which has a history of advocating free market legislation and limited government candidates for office, outlined a series of rallies around the state. These rallies will be accompanied by efforts to directly contact the citizens and inform them of what is pending.

The final speaker was Steve Dickson. He is a well-known local activist in the liberty movement with the ability to contact a large network of people. His comments focused on the mechanics of getting each rally well attended. His plan is encompassing of the entire state, with efforts to include people from all 77 counties.

Among the bills that will be supported by STOP is HB 1021/SB 203, by Representative Mike Ritze (R-Broken Arrow) and Senator Nathan Dahm (R-Broken Arrow). This bill would declare Obamacare unconstitutional in the State of Oklahoma. The bill passed the House in the first session last spring and awaits action in the State Senate.

A number of new legislative proposals, including one by Representative Moore, that would:

Ban all agencies, officers or employees of the State from aiding in the enforcement of the PPACA. Grant the Attorney General of Oklahoma the authority to bring action in the name of the State against any entity or person causing harm to a citizen of the State due to the enforcement of the PPACA. Provide a tax deduction in the exact amount of any penalty due to the PPACA to any Oklahoma resident taxpayer on their state income taxes. Ban the creation of health care exchanges by any political subdivision of the State of Oklahoma. Also, it would void any insurance issued by any illegal exchange, and finally prohibit all agencies, departments or other state entities including the Department of Health from conducting involuntary in-home visitations pursuant to Section 2951 of the PPACA.

These legislative initiatives are the first of many that are anticipated to be introduced this year. Other measures are expected to address the violations of religious freedom contained in the PPACA. To support and educate the public on these matters, a series of rallies were scheduled around the state of Oklahoma in the month of January. A final rally will be held on February 4th, at the Oklahoma State Capital.

A number of methods will be utilized to contact thousands of voters in the state, and mobilize numerous grassroots organizations in the effort. The website for the organization is www.stopobamacarepentaliesnow.com, and the Facebook page is: www.facebook.com/pages/Stop-Obamacare-Penalties-Now. Donations to fund print and radio efforts can be made on the website -- but not to fund any salaries, since there are no paid staff or consultants associated with the project.