Rep. Jim Clark, R-Hayden Lake, told the House, "The Idaho Health Freedom Act is not saying 'no' to health care reform. In fact ... it's the first step to saying yes," because it sets the state up to do health care reform only on its own terms, Clark said. "It will help shield Idaho from a federal individual mandate." He added, "We're not alone in this battle - there are 36 states nationally" looking at some type of legislation along these lines.

Clark said he recognizes that federal law is the law of the land. "This is a legal battle that has been fought before and won before," he said. "States may provide stronger protection of individual freedoms than the federal Constitution allows."