Topeka ? The Kansas House rejected an attempt Wednesday to revive a proposed “Health Care Freedom Amendment” to the state constitution.

The vote to reconsider the chamber’s earlier rejection of the measure was 75-47, but supporters needed 84 votes in favor.

Drafted in reaction to the new federal health care law, the proposal would have amended the Kansas Constitution to prohibit the state from requiring any individual or business to buy health insurance. The federal law requires most Americans to have coverage, starting in 2014.

The chief sponsor, Republican Rep. Brenda Landwehr of Wichita, said she’s not sure what supporters will do next.

Also Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins, a Republican from Kansas’ 2nd Congressional District, urged Attorney General Steve Six to join a lawsuit filed by his counterparts in 13 states challenging the federal law.

Jenkins said the federal law “appears to be in violation of the U.S. Constitution, and I can think of no greater obligation of our state’s attorney general than to defend the Constitution.”

Six, a Democrat, said he was studying the new law before making a decision.

“Attorney General Six’s decision to challenge the new health care law will be based on sound legal analysis, not political pressure or a personal political agenda,” said spokeswoman Ashley Anstaett.