Sen. Monty Pearce, R-New Plymouth, told the Senate, “I know there’s a lot of work that has gone into this.” But, he said, “Sovereignty is supreme power, supremacy. So when we’re told that states are supreme, I ask the question: What are we doing?” He read from the law Idaho passed three years ago, the Idaho Health Freedom Act, calling for a legal challenge of the national health care reform law, and said, “I guess my question is, what’s changed in three years?” He said, “States are not agents of the federal government. We created the federal government basically to be our servant, not our master.” He said, “This is our role – we are the final voice in regulation.”

"The states are separate and independent sovereigns - sometimes they have to act like it," Pearce said. "You guys, this is Idaho."

He said, "We ought to wait and see what the rules are. ... Here we are at the edge of a steep, dangerous pass and we're going to go ahead and charge on through the dark? No, I think it's wise that we wait. ... Why would we bring the feds in, and invite them to come into our state and run health care?" Said Pearce, ”I think we should wait. I think we should wait and see what develops.” He added, “I have heard from many, many, many citizens in my district, and I’ve only had insurance agents say please pass it, and one doctor. Everyone else said don’t do it.”