Kottcamp would ‘file lawsuit’ over federal mandate to buy insurance

by Kay B. Day

Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottcamp spoke to the Jacksonville Young Republican Club on Monday at popular tapas bar The Brass Monkey. As he spoke about the US constitution, he pulled no punches in commenting on a proposed federal mandate for health insurance. “If the federal government mandates health coverage,” he said, “I would file a lawsuit immediately.”

Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottcamp (facing) spoke to the Jacksonville Young Republicans Club on Monday. Kottcamp is running for Florida Attorney General. [Photo by Kay B. Day]Kottcamp who is running for Attorney General in Florida spoke to a room filled with JYRC members who hail from real estate, legal, public service, the arts and other professions. He focused on the spirit of limiting centralized government in keeping with the Constitution and he also mentioned a new Task Force in Broward County that will focus on a driver of healthcare costs—overdoses by prescription drugs. Broward has the dubious honor of leading the state in prescription drug overdoses.

‘Pill Mills’ are often set up as pain clinics where a ‘patient’ can present himself as a person genuinely suffering from pain and then receive a prescription. The same ‘patient’ then visits other such clinics to receive more medication. Then the medication is sold to another person whose aim is to sell the drugs on the streets.

In December, Palm Beach County placed a stop on opening any new pain management clinics.

Florida has traditionally been one of a small number of states that doesn’t monitor prescription drugs issued by doctors and pharmacists. This effectively has turned the Sunshine State into a magnet for pill mills. In 2009, the Florida House passed legislation to create a statewide database.

Kottcamp cited the space industry as a significant part of Florida’s future economy, and he said there is “real potential for a commercial space port in North Florida.” He also said of the business climate, “Florida in many ways sells itself.” Kottcamp’s remarks were followed by brief addresses from other candidates in various races. The candidates introduced themselves and asked for support.

Among those introduced to The US Report was Chelsi P. Henry, running for Soil and Water Group 5. Henry works at Convergys Corporation in Jacksonville.

Another candidate who shared his ideas was small businessman Troy D. Stanley who is running for Florida’s 4th Congressional District. Stanley is opposing Rep. Ander Crenshaw (R) in the Republican Primary.

Distinguished guests were also present—Sam Newby, 2nd vice chair of the Duval GOP and past president of the Joseph E. Lee Republican Club was among them.

Peret Pass, vice-president of the group, told TUSR normally there would have been a larger crowd. But we counted approximately 60 people attending. A number of others were in Tallahassee for the Florida Federation of Republican Women gathering. JYRC has more than 700 members listed on the Facebook group page.

Kottcamp summed up the feelings of many conservatives and independents when he said, “The very foundation of the country is under attack.” Several times Kottcamp mentioned limited government, and when he talked about the health insurance mandate, he also noted, "There's nothing in the Constitution compelling you to buy anything."