ATLANTA (AP) - The Georgia Senate has voted to join a proposed interstate health care compact, an effort to defy the federal health law.
The bill would allow Georgia to create alliances with other states on health care. Compact bills have been popping up in several states, pushed by tea party groups as part of a national states' rights push. Democrats argued that supporters of the bill are simply trying to snub President Barack Obama and his federal health reform law.
Republican Sen. Charlie Bethel of Dalton, who carried the bill in the chamber, says the legislation is in line with Obama's challenge to states to demonstrate they have a better plan.
The bill passed 35-18 and now heads to the governor for his signature.