Government

Ohio Fall Ballot Cleared: Voters to Decide if State Opts Out of ObamaCare

Ohio Fall Ballot Voters Decide Opts Out of National Health AmmednmentCOLUMBUS, Ohio (The Blaze/AP) — Voters will get the chance to decide whether Ohio can opt out of the national health care overhaul after the state’s top election official said Tuesday that opponents of the federal law have enough signatures to put a constitutional amendment on the Nov. 8 ballot.

Secretary of State Jon Husted determined that supporters of the amendment, which would prohibit Ohio from participating in the federal Affordable Care Act, had gathered 427,000 valid signatures. They had submitted more than 546,000 and needed roughly 358,000 of them validated to make it on to the ballot.

The amendment will find itself on the ballot alongside a measure to repeal a contentious new collective bargaining law. Advocates expect that the two measures will drive people to the polls, which are typically under-visited in off-year elections.

A liberal policy group, however, said it could file a challenge to the health care measure, because it was still finding invalid signatures in its review.

A coalition of tea party organizations, small government advocates and religious groups gathered the signatures to get the health care measure on the ballot and now plan to mount a statewide campaign in support of it.

The coalition has more than 35,000 volunteers, an “army of grass roots support,” ready to mobilize to raise money to turn out voters in November’s election, said Jeff Longstreth, campaign manager for Ohioans for Healthcare Freedom, a group that played a large role in the petitions.

“This issue would not be on the ballot without the blood, sweat and tears of thousands and thousands and thousands of volunteers,” Longstreth said. “The message is clear: keep health care between doctors and patients, and keep bureaucrats out of it.”

The measure would change the Ohio Constitution to prohibit any federal, state or local law from forcing Ohio residents, employers or health care providers to participate in a health care system. It also would prevent the state from enacting a Massachusetts-style health care program, where the state requires a minimum level of insurance coverage.

If passed, the amendment would not apply to any law or rule in effect before March 19, 2010, so as not to prohibit Ohioans for participating in programs such as Medicare.

A spokesman for Ohio Gov. John Kasich told the Associated Press in an email that the governor remains opposed to “federal interference” in Ohio health care, and is pleased with the inclusion of the amendment on November’s ballot.

The groups backing the amendment are united by a common belief that government is overstepping its bounds by requiring individuals to purchase health insurance.

“If they can force you to buy a product, where does it end?” Longstreth said. “Can it dictate what you eat? Where you live? Where you can drive?”

The federal mandate goes into effect in 2014, when statewide insurance exchanges are supposed to go in operation. Kasich has said he is proceeding with putting the health exchanges in place in Ohio despite his personal opposition to the Obama plan.

Ohio religious groups oppose the national health care overhaul on the grounds that they say it would require taxpayer funding of abortions. The insurance exchanges allow plans to cover abortions, provided they collect a separate premium from policyholders and that money is kept apart from federal subsidies.

“It is an outrage that taxpayer dollars would go to abortion on demand,” said Chris Long, spokesman for the Ohio Christian Alliance. His group plans on using its network of churches across the state to encourage people to vote for the amendment.

Other provisions of the Affordable Care Act – including prohibiting insurance companies from denying coverage based on preexisting conditions, raising the age to which young adults can stay on their parents’ insurance plan and allowing states to put more people on Medicaid – have already gone into effect.

The Obama administration has defended the insurance mandate, saying Congress has the constitutional right to regulate interstate commerce.

Supporters of Ohio’s proposed amendment say it would encourage the U.S. Supreme Court to come to a quick decision regarding the constitutionality of the federal law, since the U.S. Constitution bars state law from trumping federal statutes.

In five U.S. District Court decisions, three judges upheld the constitutionality of the law, while two struck it down. In the first ruling by an appellate court, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati held that it was constitutional for Congress to mandate individuals to purchase health insurance.

Opponents of the proposed amendment include liberal groups. They say it continued a misinformation campaign surrounding the health care overhaul by keeping the public agitated instead of educating people on the law’s effects.

Those opponents have volunteers independently checking signatures and plan on filing a challenge, ProgressOhio executive director Brian Rothenberg said in a statement.

The group has found that about 20 percent of collected petitions are flawed, according to the release. If more than 20 percent of the 546,000-plus petitions were flawed, the amendment would still have enough signatures to appear on the ballot, but Rothenberg said he expects the number of unacceptable petitions to grow as more are examined.

They Aug. 5 have until to file any challenges. If a challenge is successful, proponents of the amendment would have 10 days to collect more signatures.

Comments (94)

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  • leary1
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 7:41pm

    where do I sign ??

    Report Post »  
    • iloveburntcheese
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 10:22pm

      See theohioproject.com

      Report Post »  
    • agameofthrones
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 10:23pm

      Obamacare, illegal immigration, endless vacation trips, government mandates, executive orders, apoligizing for American exceptionalism, killing small business, crashing the housing market, doubling gas prices, quadruple unemployment, highest deficit spending EVER, 1/5 of all Americans on food stamps, gay marriage, repeal of don’t ask, don’t tell, higher individual and business taxes, no development of our oil and gas resources, more restrictions on personal freedoms, food police, taxes on junk food……………..This is the short list of what you can expect if Obama gets reelected.
      What more needs to be said?

      Report Post » agameofthrones  
    • ladysun
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 10:57pm

      If you are a registered voter in OH – head to theohioproject dot com…look at the “where to sign” tab. If there’s nothing in your immediate area for a signing location, look up your county coordinator.

      Report Post »  
    • silentwatcher
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 11:50pm

      wonder what states will be left by the time Obama is run out of office/?

      Report Post »  
    • James Capps
      Posted on July 27, 2011 at 12:05am

      Can we do that in Tennessee too? I’ll sign and work for it.

      Report Post »  
    • AzDebi
      Posted on July 27, 2011 at 12:33am

      Along the lines of “government mandates”…go watch this video

      President Vaclav Klaus of the Czech Republic | National Press Club: Speaks about the Global Warming Scam and it’s similarities to COMMUNISM…@ about 15:00 he states, “Communism led to the worse environmental damage the world has experienced!”

      You will fall in love with President Klaus if you take the time to listen to his address…I found this at Trevor Loudon’s website…(Glenn recommends we keep an eye on it…lots of great info…)

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idKceFvO7AM&feature=player_embedded

      Report Post » AzDebi  
    • Ruler4You
      Posted on July 27, 2011 at 6:36am

      It should have been up to the “voters” in the first place. (Not “deemed” to have passed) After all, we have to pay for it.

      Report Post » Ruler4You  
  • ARealCharliesAngel
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 7:40pm

    I proudly signed that petition, will contribute to fight the liberal propaganda machine, and will vote to opt out of Obamacare!!

    Report Post » ARealCharliesAngel  
  • QuranisBookofDeath
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 7:31pm

    No one wants Obamacare.

    No

    One

    Report Post » QuranisBookofDeath  
  • Trance
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 7:17pm

    Just the fact that these people are keeping their eyes open and continuing to work for what is right is very encouraging! Ohio, you’re an inspiration to us all!!!

    Report Post » Trance  
  • dontbotherme
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 7:14pm

    Good news, Ohio. Gee, I wonder if this will happen here in Illinois? :|

    Report Post »  
  • mr.goodvibe
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 7:01pm

    Ooh! I’m shining up my voter registration card!

    Report Post » mr.goodvibe  
  • KickinBack
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 6:54pm

    State’s Rights! State’s Rights!

    Stick it to the liberals!

    Report Post » KickinBack  
  • OhioRifleman
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 6:46pm

    Helluva glad I voted for Kasich. He has his head on his shoulders properly.

    This travesty of Obamacare needs to be squelched.

    Report Post » OhioRifleman  
  • Constructionist
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 6:44pm

    This will give Ohioans something to root for in November, now that the NCAA has destroyed the Buckeyes…

    Report Post » Constructionist  
    • tifosa
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 9:25pm

      Actually, the Affordable Health Care Act is more popular with Ohioans than John Kasich (Fox employee turned governor) is. http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1322.xml?ReleaseID=1625

      Report Post » tifosa  
    • liberal_equals_liar
      Posted on July 27, 2011 at 12:02am

      TIFOSA, thanks for the useless, misdirecting statistics. Even if the governor’s approval was 0%, that would not mean that Obamacare is acceptable by the people of Ohio or any other state. The real fact here is that Ohio has a shot at rejecting Obama’s attempt to wipe his A$$ with the Constitution. People like you are trying to help Obama by using lies and misdirection.

      Nice try, liar.

      Report Post »  
    • tifosa
      Posted on July 27, 2011 at 7:29pm

      What part is a lie? The ACA is gaining in popularity as the elements are enacted, and Kasich, at this point, is losing popularity.

      Report Post » tifosa  
  • freekazoid
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 6:43pm

    I see Obama as losing this upcoming election in a landslide no matter who the republican is. This guy is clueless and backdoor this piece of legislation down our throats. It is unconstitutional. If it is deemed not, then I want a law passed by congress that everyone should own a sports car and we should get it for free, and I want a yatch and my own personal airplane. And a unlimited amount of money in my checking account. Yep that would about do it. Since we can force people to buy health insurance I think we should force people to have all the nice things to make us happy before we die in obamacare.

    Report Post »  
  • WINNING
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 6:42pm

    Ohioans helping to take our country back. I love it. I bet this is really ******* off the HINC.

    Report Post » WINNING  
    • MODEL82A1
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 6:51pm

      I hope lots of lazy/crazy Lefties have damaged their computer screen trying to kill that little bug. Sadly, your virtual one is probably only one of many that they’ve just learned to ignore. Lol!

      Report Post » MODEL82A1  
    • dontbotherme
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 7:11pm

      Winning: I tried to kill your bug again.

      Report Post »  
    • Want our country back
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 7:16pm

      Winning, tried to kill your bug, that’s funny……, scratched my screen….. that’s not funny

      Report Post » Want our country back  
    • llotus
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 7:47pm

      winning……..love your bug, you have a nice sence of humor. Lotus.

      Report Post »  
    • Showtime
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 7:56pm

      That’s a circle fly. They tend to circle around horses’ a$$es. Not calling you a horse’s A$$, but you know, it’s hard to fool them flies!

      Report Post » Showtime  
    • tifosa
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 9:29pm

      He’s definitely a Republican :^)

      Report Post » tifosa  
    • politicaljules
      Posted on July 27, 2011 at 12:22pm

      just cracked mine. :(

      Report Post »  
  • OneMansOpinion
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 6:42pm

    This is promising!! I can only pray that a movement like this could gather momentum out here on the left coast.

    Report Post »  
  • cloudsofwar
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 6:41pm

    i hope we do it here in Pennsylvania. go Ohio.

    Report Post »  
  • welovetheUSA
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 6:40pm

    This is what All states need to do……..where do I sign up to help?

    Report Post » welovetheUSA  
  • chips1
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 6:38pm

    In Missouri, we are trying to find someone to read it to our politicians.

    Report Post »  
  • encinom
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 6:36pm

    Tbaggers on the march, as they roll on in their medicare provided scooters. Nothing like the ignorance of the **** Brothers ground troops.

    Report Post »  
    • MODEL82A1
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 6:43pm

      I am still waiting for ENCINOM to apologize for his admission to and support of necrophilia, pedophilia, rape and mass murder. It’s time to hold his feet to the fire.

      Report Post » MODEL82A1  
    • OhioRifleman
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 6:49pm

      @ (Barrett) Model 82A1

      He won’t admit to wrongdoing. It is impossible for a Liberal to admit to wrongdoing. As soon as they make such an admission, they lose all patina of legitimacy, because they have nothing to stand on except their errant beliefs. We conservatives have honor and integrity to stand on, especially in the face of liberal lies and insults.

      Report Post » OhioRifleman  
    • RepubliCorp
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 6:55pm

      ENCINOM Scary? ….. can you believe that people are not buying into the commie dream.

      Report Post » RepubliCorp  
    • eagle2715
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 7:01pm

      ENCINOM’s name needs a sign that says “Don’t feed the trolls”

      Someone who has teabaggers in over other statement is not here to be taken seriously, just to piss people off….

      Report Post » eagle2715  
    • Stoic one
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 7:14pm

      hey ENCINOM. I am still waiting for your proposals on how to deal with the budget, deficit, healthcare, etc. The Taxed Enough Already party here in Ohio has worked hard for this legislation in concert with a multitude of other groups that can ADD, SUBTRACT, MULTIPLY, and DIVIDE; when it comes to handling money and they all want to remove/repeal/delete/ignore/strike down this abomination called Obamacare.
      Other than name calling, ya got any thing????

      Report Post » Stoic one  
    • llotus
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 8:11pm

      encinom……why you so hard on the Tea Party? Didnt you watch G.B. when everyone gathered at the mall? They stand for something you will most likely never understand or experience. I stand with the TeaParty. I also stand with G.B.. I stand with Ameica and Israel too. I`m a believer so you can make some fun of that, if….you dare. I stand for things that dont cause harm to others, dont want to force people to do anything, not a control freak, been around too many of them. What ever happened to live and let live encinom? Is that too simple? Gotta go, my pork chops are gonna burn. Lotus.

      Report Post »  
    • BuckeyeWithA45
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 11:12pm

      Now Eni I thought you liberals were against sterotypes. Im 38 and scooter free. I gave up more than one weekend working storefronts and talking to people getting their signatures. Some were even liberal hacks like yourself but most were just confused by the line of BS they had been fed about this obamanatio of a bill.

      Report Post » BuckeyeWithA45  
  • banjarmon
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 6:36pm

    Good for OHIO…Florida’s Turn

    Report Post » banjarmon  
  • TeaPartyPatriot
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 6:35pm

    Everyone should know by now that Arizona leads the nation in fighting lunatic-left d-cRAT socialism – and that, of course, includes the horrific anti-Constitutional obozocare. In Nov 2010, Arizona voters overwhelmingly approved Prop 106 which amends the state’s constitution to PROHIBIT “You Lie!” hussein and the lunatic-left d-cRATs from forcing anybody in the state to pay or be taxed for obozocare.

    Report Post » TeaPartyPatriot  
    • politicaljules
      Posted on July 27, 2011 at 12:24pm

      Texas is working on it too. State health compacts have already been approved.

      Report Post »  
  • MODEL82A1
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 6:34pm

    Fat chance. If Roe v Wade has held up under Supreme Court scrutiny for almost 40 years, the same body will strike any state-initiated challenge to Obamacare down with swift, virtually unreported vengeance.

    Report Post » MODEL82A1  
  • jim
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 6:34pm

    Remember when the CEO of The Cleveland Clinic was interviewed and said basically Obamacare would destroy his organization… one of the top 3 highest rated, innovative and well run hospitals in the world? Time to dump Obamacare and Obama… stop the destruction of everything good about this country. Make a stand, Ohio!! The rest of the country is counting on you…

    Report Post » jim  
  • S.A
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 6:32pm

    Way to go OHIO,I wish that TEXAS would Follow,if Congress will not STOP~OBAMA~CARE I hope that the STATES themselves step up and do it on their OWN.

    Report Post » S.A  
    • CamoJan
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 6:38pm

      I sure wish MN would follow suit but that would never happen with Dayton in power

      Report Post » CamoJan  
    • 4wheels
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 6:47pm

      @SA – I agree about Texas. We should be doing the exact same thing as Ohio. That is awesome. Go Ohio!! * Bows in humble respect *

      Report Post »  
  • dhopkins65
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 6:30pm

    Way to go, OHIO!

    Report Post »  
  • V-MAN MACE
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 6:27pm

    Oh yea, I’m gonna be right there voting AGAINST Obamacare.

    Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
  • swalt
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 6:27pm

    GO Ohio!!! I wish the rest of the states had the guts to do the same thing!

    Report Post » swalt  
    • BIGJAYINPA
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 6:34pm

      Don’t get your hopes up. If the measure loses the Left will say “see I told you that is what the people want”. If it wins they will sue in court and find a fellow traveler Liberal Judge to declare the ballot illegal or unconstitutional or just offensive to gay people on an odd Tuesday and throw it out. The only way to completely eliminate this issue is to completely eliminate it’s backers…Just sayin’

      Report Post » BIGJAYINPA  
  • Mrtoohappy
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 6:27pm

    Hope Florida is next.

    Report Post »  
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