Voters on Tuesday decided they want to give Missourians the right to reject the federal healthcare plan.
Voters on Tuesday passed Proposition C, a statewide ballot measure that asked voters if Missourians should be able opt out of a provision requiring everyone to purchase health insurance.
The vote wasn’t close. Statewide, the vote was 667,680 (71.12 percent) yes to 271,102 (28.88 percent) no. In Jackson County outside Kansas City, the number who said yes was 38,945 (71.53 percent). Voters who said no totaled 15,497 (28.47 percent).
The measure also got Missouri national attention, unusual for a primary election. The reason: Proposition C is viewed by many as a test of President Obama’s health care plan at the ballot box.
If you voted “yes,” it means you support Missouri’s right to opt out of the mandatory requirement that everyone purchase health insurance. A no vote means you keep Missouri law unaltered, meaning voters were in favor of the health care bill provision that requires everyone to acquire health insurance or face a penalty.
“I don’t think the federal government should operate health care. I think most Americans are happy with the health care they have, and Americans should not be told through a mandate to purchase it,” said Sheila Solon, winner of the Missouri House District 55 Republican nomination.
Ira Anders, winner of the Missouri House of Representatives District 51 Democratic nomination, had a different view.
“I’m personally disappointed by that. I’m concerned when things like that get on the ballot, and they pass without knowledge of what the full ramifications could be. I’m discouraged by the fact that it passed, but it makes a statement, and we’ll see how it works out now,” Anders said on Tuesday night.
Noel Torpey, winner of the Missouri House District 52 Republican nomination, simply said, “I think the results speak for themselves.”
Michael Glover, Adrianne Deweese and Jeff Martin contributed to this article.
