"Other" ballot issue to have big impact

CLARK COUNTY, Ohio (WDTN) - While most people have put their focus on Issue 2, the collective bargaining law, Laura Rosenberger has poured her passion into Issue 3.

She collected thousands of signatures to put it on the ballot and is making hundreds of phone calls to get it passed.

"Being very concerned about what's in that law got me going," Rosenberger says.

Rosenberger tells 2 News she helped get Issue 3 on the ballot in response to the new Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama.

That law requires people, among other things, to have health insurance.

A yes vote on Issue 3 would amend the Ohio Constitution to make it illegal to force someone to have insurance.

"What it is doing is protecting Ohioans from the negative effects of the fines and the taxes we will have to pay," Rosenberger says.

There's only one catch. As any first year law student could tell you the federal health care law would trump any state law.

That would make the issue seem merely symbolic, a protest vote against federal health care. Except that some say the law's wording would have other consequences.

"Issue 3 if you compared it to medicine is like a medication with horrible side effects," says Dr. Donald Nguyen, who is part of the "Vote No on Issue 3" Coalition.

Dr. Nguyen and others think because of the Issue's vague wording it could impact everything from child immunizations to the Bureau of Worker's Compensation to whether someone needs a license to practice medicine.

Those supporting Issue 3 say the side effects are being exaggerated.

Although both sides can agree on one thing.

"It will have national implications," Rosenberger says.