Kraus: August 3 Vote on Proposition C

A number of people have contacted my office asking about Proposition C, the question on health care that will be on the ballot next Tuesday, August 3, in the upcoming primary election.

Next Tuesday, you will have the chance to register your opinion on President Obama’s recent health care mandate. If passed, language will be placed into Missouri law that the citizens of Missouri cannot be forced to purchase health insurance under the threat of penalties and fines. It also allows citizens to offer or accept direct payment for health care, again prohibiting penalties if they do so. A “yes” vote is against the part of the federal health care plan that penalizes citizens for non-participation and forces them to purchase health insurance.

The proposed language does not prevent any one from participating in the federal health care system.

Others have asked about the second bullet point, below, of the actual ballot language. If passed, Missouri law would be modified to allow certain domestic insurance companies to self-liquidate under certain conditions. Right now, only the state may liquidate these insurance companies, which could possibly result in the state being held accountable for the insurance company debt. If passed, the rules would be the same as is currently applied to general business corporations.

In short, if you are opposed to Obamacare, vote “yes” on August 3. A number of people have asked me about my position. I’m voting yes. The massive federal health care bill, which is the target of Proposition C, is fiscally irresponsible and intrusive into our private health care decisions. Its passage was forced with unconscionable backroom deals and highly questionable tactics, and I don’t believe that is right.

If you are in favor of the federal health care mandates, vote “no” on August 3.

Here is the actual language as it will appear on your ballot. I encourage you to forward this information to your friends and family for their consideration on this important vote.

Proposition C Ballot Language

Shall the Missouri Statutes be amended to:

• Deny the government authority to penalize citizens for refusing to purchase private health insurance or infringe upon the right to offer or accept direct payment for lawful healthcare services?
• Modify laws regarding the liquidation of certain domestic insurance companies?

It is estimated this proposal will have no immediate costs or savings to state or local governmental entities. However, because of the uncertain interaction of the proposal with implementation of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, future costs to state governmental entities are unknown.

Fair Ballot Language:
A “yes” vote will amend Missouri law to deny the government authority to penalize citizens for refusing to purchase private health insurance or infringe upon the right to offer or accept direct payment for lawful healthcare services. The amendment will also modify laws regarding the liquidation of certain domestic insurance companies.

A “no” vote will not change the current Missouri law regarding private health insurance, lawful healthcare services, and the liquidation of certain domestic insurance companies.

If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.

Westbound I-470 Repairs to Be Completed by September 15

Repairs to westbound I-470 will be finished no later than September 15, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). On July 17, a segment of westbound I-470 to westbound I-435 collapsed due to a sink hole, and MoDOT has determined that the quickest and most effective solution to this disaster is a 225-foot bridge extension.

In order to complete the work as soon as possible, the construction contract contains incentives and penalties to encourage timely completion. Each day beyond the target opening date that the four-lane highway link is not open will cost the contractor $40,000. Each day the link opens sooner than September 15, the contractor receives $40,000 up to $1 million. The contractor may receive the maximum incentive if completed by Aug. 20. Around-the-clock construction will occur to meet the deadline.

Yesterday, MoDOT posted a live, real-time web camera overlooking the repairs at the 3 Trails Crossing. Viewers can watch the progress on MoDOT's website at www.modot.org/kc.

For more information about this project, please visit MoDOT's website at www.modot.mo.gov/kansascity. For instant updates, follow MoDOT_KC on Twitter or send questions and comments to kccommunityrelations{at}modot{dot}mo{dot}gov.

Lee’s Summit Sunrise Rotary Club Program

On Friday, July 16th, I stopped by the Lee's Summit Sunrise Rotary Club meeting. After catching everyone up on what's happening in Jefferson City, I had breakfast with the group and learned about a great program going on in Lee's Summit.

For a philanthropic subscription of $50, Sunrise Rotary will place a large, 3 x 5 foot American flag in your yard for the holiday weekends of Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day and Veterans Day. Homes and businesses both participate in this wonderful effort. Anyone who is interested can contact Lee’s Summit Sunrise Rotary at (816) 222-0771. Best of luck, Rotary!