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

Adding to calls for the high court to determine the fate of the law, the 26 states, led by Florida, said today the entire measure should be invalidated. The Justice Department signaled earlier this week that it will file its own Supreme Court appeal in the case.

The Atlanta-based appeals court gave the states a partial victory in their suit challenging the law, ruling that Congress lacked the constitutional power to require people to either get insurance or pay a penalty. At the same time, the court said it would strike down only the insurance mandate, leaving intact other provisions, including a requirement that insurers accept applicants with pre-existing conditions.