House Rejects Plan to Repeal Health Care Mandate

The House of Representatives Tuesday defeated a Republican-backed effort to repeal the mandate that persons purchase health insurance.

The coverage requirement is a part of the new health care reform law, passed earlier this year.

The effort lost 230 to 187.

Republicans argued that the federal government shouldn't compel citizens to purchase a product.

Some 20 states have filed a lawsuit claiming the mandate is unconstitutional.