Ohio Voters to Decide on Federal Health Care Opt Out

July 26, 2011 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Voters will get the chance to decide whether Ohio will opt out of the national health care overhaul, the Associated Press reports.

The measure would change Ohio’s 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. 

According to the news report, the state’s top election official said opponents of the federal Affordable Care Act have enough signatures to put a constitutional amendment on the November 8 ballot. Secretary of State John Husted determined that supporters of an amendment that would prohibit Ohio from participating in the program had gathered 427,000 valid signatures, more than the roughly 358,000 needed to make it on to the ballot.  

Governor John Kasich has said he is proceeding with putting the health exchanges in place in Ohio despite his personal opposition to the Obama plan.

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