I was supposed to receive a refund until the ACA penalty for not having insurance figured in. I thought they could only take what refund I have and not force the rest?

If you have a balance due related to the individual shared responsibility payment and choose not to pay it, the IRS may offset that liability against any tax refund that may be due to you, including future refunds. 

See this link, page 2:

"If your bill is for an individual shared responsibility payment as a result of the Affordable Care Act, the amount owed is not subject to the failure to pay penalty, levies or the filing of a Notice of Federal Tax Lien. However, interest will continue to accrue and the Service may offset federal tax refunds until the balance is paid in full."