Missouri's Anti Reform Proposition Wins Voter Support

On August 3^rd, in an election in which only 22.9 percent of eligible voters turned out, Missouri approved the Missouri Health Care Freedom Act (Proposition C) by a margin of 70-30.  Proposition C attempts to exempt Missouri from the so called “individual mandate” of the recently enacted federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). Because the ballot initiative was referred to voters by the Missouri legislature, it can be enacted without the approval of the Governor.

 

Now that Proposition C has won a majority of the vote, the battle over its legal and political significance begins. Proposition C supporters claim that it represents a significant political victory for opponents of health reform. Critics, however, believe that the measure is unconstitutional and thus believe Proposition C can have no legal impact.  Moreover, they note that political significance of Proposition C may be muted given the low voter turnout on August 3rd.

 

Click Here to View a New York Times Article on Prop C’s Passage