ATLANTA — After a final vote of 111-61, House Resolution 1086 failed to gain the 2/3 constitutional majority vote needed to pass the Georgia House of Representatives. Sponsored by state Representative Calvin Hill (R-Canton), HR 1086 is a constitutional amendment that would have given Georgians the opportunity to decide in the upcoming general election if individuals and companies should be allowed to opt out of the possible federal health care system currently under consideration by the United States Congress. The constitutional amendment would have also protected Georgia companies and citizens from prosecution if they choose to purchase health care services outside of the new healthcare system.

“The federal government is overstepping its authority and putting mandates on the state of Georgia and its citizens,” said Representative Hill. “This resolution would preserve the freedom of our citizens and render unconstitutional any state or federal attempt to impose a mandate to prohibit direct payment of health care.”

To become law, HR 1086 had to pass the House and Senate by a 2/3 constitutional majority vote and receive approval by Georgia voters in an upcoming general election.