CHICAGO – State Rep. Jonathan Carroll of Chicago has tabled a measure he introduced last week that would force unvaccinated persons to pay their own medical bills if they were to need hospitalization with COVID.
The bill would have anyone eligible that refuses a vaccination would be punished by losing their healthcare insurance coverage for COVID-related costs.
Although Governor Pritzker did not publicly state his position on the bill, Republican primary candidate State Sen. Darren Bailey blasted the effort Thursday.
"Using the force of government to punish and attack private citizens over private healthcare decisions is something you would expect in countries like North Korea or China, but never in America," Bailey said. "I honestly don't know what he was thinking, but sadly, it aligns with the dangerous, big-government policies JB Pritzker and Democrats continue to push."
The bill, HB 4259, was introduced on Monday, and after a strong reaction, the rep tabled the bill three days later:
Liberal and out-of-touch, State Rep. Jonathan Carroll, who was pushing HB 4259, legislation to remove healthcare coverage from unvaccinated people who get COVID, has decided not to pursue it due to obvious backlash over this dangerous and anti-American idea. We live in a free country where you can make these decisions for yourself and your family.
Using the force of government to punish and attack private citizens over private healthcare decisions is something you would expect in countries like North Korea or China, but never in America. I honestly don't know what he was thinking, but sadly, it aligns with the dangerous, big-government policies JB Pritzker and Democrats continue to push.I support ensuring anyone who wants and needs a vaccine has access to receive one. In addition, I support working with local and county health departments to provide residents information to discuss with their private doctors and make the best decisions for themselves and their families.My office has helped numerous people who wanted a vaccine gain access and get one. When the COVID-19 vaccine became available, I called the Governor's office to help streamline the process for those seeking one in my district.Still, I will never support forcing citizens of a free country to choose between giving up their healthcare freedom and feeding their families. And I will never support using the force of the government to punish private citizens who make these decisions by trying to remove their healthcare coverage because they didn't receive a vaccine.
The role of government is to educate, not mandate. We must work to provide resources and information to combat the pandemic, but we must put an end to these statewide mandates and attacks from Pritzker and other out-of-touch politicians in Springfield and restore common sense.
