The House of Representatives has repealed Obamacare. But don’t get too excited either way. The bill will have to be also passed by the Democratic-held Senate and survive a veto by the President. But still. . .
Swiftly honoring a campaign pledge, newly empowered Republicans pushed legislation to repeal the nation’s year-old health care overhaul through the House Wednesday night, brushing aside implacable opposition in the Senate and a veto threat from President Barack Obama.
The 245-189 vote was largely along party lines, and cleared the way for the second phase of the “repeal and replace” promise that victorious Republicans made to the voters last fall. GOP officials said that in the coming months, congressional committees will propose changes to the existing legislation, calling for elimination of a requirement for individuals to purchase coverage, for example, and recommending curbs on medical malpractice lawsuits.
Republicans also intend to try to reverse many of the changes Democrats made to Medicare Advantage, the private alternative to the traditional government-run health care program for seniors.
Like the repeal bill itself, these other measures will require Senate approval and a presidential signature to take effect, and the prospect is for months of maneuvering on the issue.
via The Associated Press: House Votes to repeal Obama’s health care law.
Assuming the rejection of the overall bill won’t stand up, Republicans are reportedly next planning a “death by a thousand cuts” approach, targeting provisions and funding needs one at a time. The first is said to be the provisions that allow for abortion.
Do you think this represents a good strategy for Republicans? Some say that Republicans should let the bill get enacted, and then when it turns into a horrible, expensive, complicated mess, as Republicans expect, they can target it and present a Republican approach as an alternative. Otherwise, if Republicans only cripple the program, Democrats can can blame Republicans for it not working. What do you think?
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