What is the story of the Ohio Health care referendum?

[Nancy Waterman]

It sounds like a defeat of Obama's health care bill, a constitutional amendment in Ohio that
limits it. Has this one gone under the radar? I haven't been following it, but the little I heard sounds
like Ohioans may have been propagandized by the right on this one. Does anyone understand it?

[county worker]

1. They voted to reject mandates.

[Matariki]

7. Hmm, I'd vote to reject mandates too.

I wouldn't call it defeating "Obamacare" though. I want Single Payer or even a public option - and would vote against being forced to make a purchase from greedy-assed private insurance companies.

[area51]

13. +1 n/t

[marlakay]

15. That's the bummer of it

I saw a clip on fox that said Ohio rejects obamacare...that's what all the republicans will say...

If I didn't have healthcare that I am lucky to only have to pay $100 a month for I would say no to mandates too since we are retired on budget and can't afford more than that. We are 62 and 55 so no Medicare yet...

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

2. I'm confused as well

How both bills can essentially win with the same percentage.

Of course, Rethugs are proclaiming that the most important vote of the night, even though I heard zip about it.

[Matariki]

5. oops.

responded to wrong post, sorry.

[elleng]

3. F******UP!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x813601

Will have no legal effect.

[Epiphany4z]

4. at least in my part of ohio

I did not hear much about it. Also it was worded a bit weird probably confused a lot of folks. It sounded like if you don't vote for this you wont be able to choose your health care.

[Nancy Waterman]

6. That is what I mean

I think it got in under the radar and may hurt people by denying them some of what is in the health care law.
I think people were tricked by the wording on purpose. The usual GOP scare tactics.

[moondust]

8. The mandate will never win a popularity contest.

But everyone must participate for the thing work as designed.

According to Debbie Wasserman-Schultz on Lawrence O'Donnell, if the SCOTUS does not strike down the ACA it will override the Ohio vote because it is federal law.

[targetpractice]

11. Right? Who likes mandates?

I wonder how popular something like the "Everyone pays, everyone benefits" ballot initiative would go over?

We need to be more thoughtful about our wording/messaging... Maybe we should hire Frank Luntz for our side occasionally.

[moondust]

14. Good point.

Though Repugs and M$M will naturally demonize it with their own smear job no matter what you choose to call it (see "Obamacare").

[Pirate Smile]

9. I don't think it actually has any legal effect.

[EC]

10. That tells me that a lot of tps and repubs

voted no, on keeping the union bargaining rights law. That's the only way I can figure with the #'s on both votes.

[frazzled]

12. They can't negate a federal law

Also, the ballot question was totally fucked: a YES vote meant you hate "Obamacare"; a NO vote means the insurance companies can't deny you coverage or kick you out if you get sick. Makes sense, eh.