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McConnell: Odds against health care repeal
In this June 26, 2012 file photo, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, of Ky., center, accompanied by Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, left, and Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., speaks to reporters outside the Senate, on Capitol Hill in Washington. / File,AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite
(AP) ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. - It's on his to-do list, but U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell says the odds are against repealing the health care law championed by President Barack Obama.
The Kentucky Republican said Monday it's hard to unravel something of the magnitude of the 2,700-page health care law, WHAS-TV reports.
"If you thought it was a good idea for the federal government to go in this direction, I'd say the odds are still on your side," McConnell said. "Because it's a lot harder to undo something than it is to stop it in the first place."
McConnell discussed the law in comments to about 50 people at Hardin Memorial Hospital in Elizabethtown. The state's senior senator was making stops at Kentucky hospitals discussing what's next since last week's ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court's that the law was constitutional.
The court upheld the law's crucial mandate that individuals buy health insurance or face a penalty.
States opting out of Medicaid expansion could leave many uninsured
Roberts switched views to uphold health care law
Complete Coverage: Health Care
Chief Justice John Roberts, a conservative, provided the pivotal vote in that decision by ruling that the penalty was legal under the government's taxing authority. While technically handing a political victory to Mr. Obama, Roberts' ruling invigorated Republicans eager to cast the law as a new tax.
McConnell still says he'll do whatever he can to repeal the law.
If given control of the Senate next year, McConnell said he would support using budget reconciliation rules to repeal it. Doing so would prohibit Senate filibusters and require only 51 votes to succeed. In 2010, Republicans lambasted Democrats for relying on these rules to pass the health care bill, calling their tactics unusual and hyperpartisan.
"I'm confident they're going to give us the votes to repeal it," he said of the American public.
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I just don't get it what human being would vote to so screw themselves and their families and the future of America by voting Republicon.
hillz has NO problem going to OTHER countries and working there illegally, but gets in an uproar if someone comes here and does the SAME thing. What a hypocrite.
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No need to get your panties in a bunch Linda, so calm down you over-dramatic judgement queen.
I didn't go there and raise a family on their health services.
I didn't go there and give birth on their health services.
I didn't go there and act as if I was entitled to their health services.
I went once. For a dislocated shoulder, and if I'd known what I was in for at the doc's office, I would have reset it myself.
I've got nothing against illegals per se. The mexicans I know are very genuine hard working people. My problem is with illegals and their sense of entitlement to our services - that's what gets me in an uproar.
This has been happening for decades, and all of a sudden you're waking up to that fact of offshoring manufacturing jobs like bain capital did for the almighty American dollar? LOL!
I guess your hatred of President Obama trumps any reality of the first increase in U.S. manufacturing jobs since 1997 happened in 2010/2011/2012......
Sure......great idea to revert back to the massive offshoring of manufacturing jobs that mitt romney oversaw at bain capital! LOL!
Aaaaaaah......we already knew you southerners hated the black guy, but to 'try' to elect the $300 Million cultist that cannot give any DETAILS or SPECIFICS on ANYTHING, is being funded by the koch heads and adelson among other billionaires, and you really 'think' that the oligarchic plutocracy isn't behind the republican candidate?
How can that be good for the majority of Americans?
I mean honestly, these Republicons just stand around with no ideas, nothing good to plan for the 99% and with hatred for America in their hearts. It's unbelievable how people continue to vote for these fascist bullies.
LOL!
You hate him because he's black. Who do you think you're fooling?
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The only one getting fooled is you, Ben. You are fooling yourself into thinking thatj pulling the race card on everyone who doesn't care for your messiah is relevant. Only a small irrelevant fringe minority of libbies still use that pathetic excuse.
sjc, educate yourself and look up the architect of the Canadian healthcare system, Claude Castonguay, and review his comments regarding the system he designed. They aren't very favorable.