JEFFERSON CITY — About 400 people have gathered at the Missouri Capitol for a states-rights rally in opposition to federal health care legislation.
Wednesday's rally focused primarily on federal proposals that would tax individuals who do not purchase health insurance or tax certain businesses that do not offer insurance to employees.
Rally participants claimed the federal health insurance mandate would be unconstitutional.
Missouri lawmakers have proposed an amendment to the state constitution that would specifically allow people to pay for their own medical bills. It would prohibit laws penalizing people for not participating in a health insurance system.
The rally was organized by a half-dozen conservative groups. Participants included about three dozen Republican lawmakers and Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder.