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Ohio voters reject federal health care mandate

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Updated 11:58 PM Tuesday, November 8, 2011

With 90 percent of precincts statewide reporting, Ohio voters were frowning on the federal health care overhaul, 66 percent to 34 percent.

The issue adds an amendment to the Ohio Constitution’s bill of rights stating that “no federal, state or local law or rule shall compel, directly or indirectly, any person, employer or health care provider to participate in a health care system.”

However, the U.S. Supreme Court — not Ohio voters — will decide the fate of the mandate in the federal health care law, most experts say.

Under the leadership of Republican Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, Ohio is among 26 states challenging the federal law and seeking a ruling from the Supreme Court.

The U.S. Justice Department, supporting the law, also has asked the Supreme Court to take up the dispute. If the high court takes the case, a decision could come by next June, DeWine said.

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