ENROLLED SENATE
JOINT
RESOLUTION NO. 8	By:	Bingman, Dahm, David, Treat, Brinkley, Allen, Shortey, Crain, Anderson, Halligan, Standridge, Holt, Stanislawski, Marlatt, Schulz, Newberry, Brecheen, Simpson, Sykes, Jolley, Barrington, Brown, Fields, Justice, Griffin, Johnson (Rob), Shaw, Ford, Loveless, Brooks, Boggs and Sharp of the Senate

			and

		Shannon, Ritze, Derby, Kern and Roberts (Sean) of the House

A Joint Resolution memorializing the President, Vice-President and Congress to eliminate or reform specified aspects of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; and directing distribution.

Subject:	Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

WHEREAS, Oklahomans are concerned about the impact of taxes created in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act on Oklahoma businesses and consumers; and

WHEREAS, the Affordable Care Act taxes fall hardest on fully-insured market consumers, most notably small businesses; and

WHEREAS, it is estimated that as much as 98 percent of Oklahoma's businesses are small businesses with fewer than 100 employees; and

WHEREAS, Congressional reports state that a very large portion of the tax will be borne by consumers in the form of a 2 to 2.5 percent premium increase by 2016; and

WHEREAS, the Affordable Care Act tax may cause insurance premiums to increase by as much as 3.7 percent by 2023; and

WHEREAS, such an increase in insurance premiums will mean an increase of $2,800 per individual and $5,000 per family over the next decade; and

WHEREAS, such insurance premium increases may cause younger, healthier Oklahomans to abandon coverage; and

WHEREAS, spiraling costs within the fully-insured market will likely result in even higher costs, fewer product options and decreased consumer choice.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 1ST SESSION OF THE 54TH OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE:

THAT the Oklahoma Legislature respectfully requests the President, Vice-President and Congress of the United States to work to eliminate or reform the Affordable Care Act's health insurance tax and other Affordable Care Act taxes that create higher costs, reduce jobs, and decrease consumer choice.

THAT a copy of this resolution be distributed to the President and Vice President of the United States, the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives and the Secretary of the United States Senate.

Passed the Senate the 11th day of March, 2013.

	
	Presiding Officer of the Senate

Passed the House of Representatives the 10th day of April, 2013.

	
	Presiding Officer of the House
	of Representatives

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Received by the Office of the Governor this ____________________ day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By: _________________________________
Approved by the Governor of the State of Oklahoma this _________ day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.

	_________________________________
	Governor of the State of Oklahoma

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
Received by the Office of the Secretary of State this __________ day of __________________, 20 _______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By: _________________________________