States challenging President Barack Obama's health-care overhaulasked the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene, saying a federal appealscourt didn't go far enough when it invalidated a portion of thelaw.

Adding to calls for the high court to determine the fate of thelaw, the 26 states, led by Florida, said today the entire measureshould be invalidated. The Justice Department signaled earlier thisweek that it will file its own Supreme Court appeal in thecase.

The Atlanta-based appeals court gave the states a partialvictory in their suit challenging the law, ruling that Congresslacked the constitutional power to require people to either getinsurance or pay a penalty. At the same time, the court said itwould strike down only the insurance mandate, leaving intact otherprovisions, including a requirement that insurers accept applicantswith pre-existing conditions.