The Virginia House of Delegates passed a law banning a federal mandate for health insurance in the state, should Congress pass a law containing such a requirement.The House of Delegates was the second, and easier, obstacle for the bill after the Democrat-controlled Virginia Senate passed the bill in February:
By an 80-17 vote, the Virginia House of Delegates passed HB 10, sponsored by Del. Robert G. Marshall (R-13th District), which states that no resident of the commonwealth shall be required to obtain or maintain individual insurance coverage.
Gov. Bob McDonnell has said he'll sign the legislation. As many as 34 other states are considering similar measures.
All 17 "no" votes were Democrats, but five Democrat cross-overs enabled the bill to pass the Senate earlier this year.
