Oklahoma Senate Fails to Override Health Care Veto

Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma Senate has failed to override Democratic Gov. Brad Henry's veto of a bill intended to let Oklahomans opt out of a new federal health care law.

The Senate voted 28-16 Friday to override the veto, falling short of the 32 votes needed.

The bill states that no resident may be required to buy health insurance or be fined for failing to do so. It also would have authorized GOP legislative leaders to hire an attorney to sue Congress and President Obama to prevent the new health care law from taking effect.

The bill's supporters say the health care law usurps individual and state's rights by requiring citizens to purchase private health insurance.

In his veto message, Henry said the bill could jeopardize federal funding for health care programs.