TOPEKA (AP) – The 26-14 vote Thursday by which the Kansas Senate failed to pass a proposed health care “freedom” amendment to the state constitution declaring that Kansans have a right not to buy health insurance.

Supporters needed a two-thirds majority, or 27 of 40 votes, for passage.

The Senate’s decision came after members revised the measure so that a statewide vote on the proposition would have occurred only if the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down the federal health care overhaul of 2010.

The amendment would have declared that Kansans have the right to refuse to buy health insurance. A provision in the federal health care overhaul requires most Americans to buy insurance, starting in 2014.

Critics argue that if the federal law is upheld, the Kansas measure would be meaningless.

Of the 32 Republicans, 26 voted “yes” and six voted “no.” All eight Democrats voted “no.”

REPUBLICANS VOTING YES(equals)
Steve Abrams, Arkansas City.
Pat Apple, Louisburg.
Terry Bruce, Hutchinson.
Les Donovan, Wichita.
Jay Emler, Lindsborg.
Terrie Huntington, Fairway.
Dick Kelsey, Goddard.
Jeff King, Independence.
Jeff Longbine, Emporia.
Garrett Love, Montezuma.
Julia Lynn, Olathe.
Bob Marshall, Fort Scott.
Ty Masterson, Andover.
Carolyn McGinn, Sedgwick.
Ray Merrick, Stilwell.
Steve Morris, Hugoton.
Rob Olson, Olathe.
Ralph Ostmeyer, Grinnell.
Mike Petersen, Wichita.
Mary Pilcher-Cook, Shawnee.
Dennis Pyle, Hiawatha.
Vicki Schmidt, Topeka.
Jean Schodorf, Wichita.
Chris Steineger, Kansas City.
Mark Taddiken, Clifton.
Susan Wagle, Wichita.

REPUBLICANS VOTING NO(equals)
Pete Brungardt, Salina.
Tim Owens, Overland Park.
Roger Reitz, Manhattan.
Ruth Teichman, Stafford.
Dwayne Umbarger, Thayer.
John Vratil, Leawood.

DEMOCRATS VOTING YES(equals)
None.

DEMOCRATS VOTING NO(equals)
Oletha Faust-Goudeau, Wichita.
Marci Francisco, Lawrence.
David Haley, Kansas City.
Anthony Hensley, Topeka.
Tom Holland, Baldwin City.
Laura Kelly, Topeka.
Kelly Kultala, Kansas City.
Allen Schmidt, Hays.