Mandates.....

So, the election in Missouri came and went....

WOW....Proposition C passed by 71%. Sounded like a major defeat to the health reform legislation, and analysts like myself were scratching our heads thinking, WHAT? Mainly because polling was showing increased support for the legislation with about 50% of Americans supporting the bill (AP polling).

SO, I dug a little deeper, AHA, there it is.....turnout was 65% republican.....which means that (assuming all R's voted against it), that approximately 6% of independents and democrats don't like the mandate.

From this link.

As written on the ballot, voters had to decide whether to “Deny government the authority to penalize citizens for refusing to purchase private health insurance or infringe upon the right to offer or accept direct payment for lawful health care services” and “Modify laws regarding the liquidation of certain domestic insurance companies.”

Prop C did not ask Missourians if they’d like to repeal the entire federal health law (and, just an aside--how was a voter suppose to vote if, say, he or she supported the second statement but not the first?). That would require the ballot to also ask voters if they’re for or against parts of the law that the public approves, like prohibiting health insurers from excluding children with pre-existing conditions. Or banning the practice of insurance companies kicking people off their insurance plans when they get sick. But Missourians weren’t asked to judge these and other popular provisions of the health care act.