Ohio Residents Nix PPACA Mandate

Supporters said in an official statement supporting that measure that it would keep doctors in Ohio, make it harder for government to force people to “support the unhealthy lifestyles and choices of others,” and “reduce government regulations that drive up health care costs.”

“The state of Massachusetts mandates the purchase of government-dictated health insurance, and has the highest health care costs in the United States,” supporters said.

Opponents said the ballot issue was “an attempt by some to take away the ability of Ohio to implement health care reforms.”

The measure would let insurers keep people with medical problems, including children, from getting health insurance, and it would let insurance companies impose annual and lifetime caps on health care coverage, opponents said.

The measure won on the same day that a measure popular with Republicans, Issue 2, which would have limited public employees’ union bargaining rights, lost 39%-61%.