Topeka ? A proposed constitutional amendment to block federal health reform in Kansas failed to advance today.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 1626 failed on a 4-4 vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee. The vote probably deals a lethal blow to the effort.

The measure would have prohibited the federal government from requiring Kansans to purchase health insurance. Supporters of the measure say it is needed to protect Kansans from requirements of federal health care reform being debated in Congress.

Changing the state constitution requires a two-thirds majority in the House and Senate, and then a statewide vote.

In a hearing on the measure last week. Kansas University law professor Stephen McAllister said the amendment was essentially symbolic because any challenge of federal health reform will require a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court. McAllister said the court would determine whether Congress has the authority to require health insurance, regardless of what any state constitution says.