House Votes to Repeal Health Care Law

CBS/AP

Updated 6:22 p.m. Eastern Time

The GOP-led House voted late Wednesday afternoon to repeal the sweeping health care overhaul legislation passed last year by congressional Democrats and signed into law by President Obama.

The vote, which fulfills a Republican campaign pledge from the midterm elections, will likely have no substantive impact. That's because there is virtually no chance the Democrat-led Senate will take up the bill or that Mr. Obama would sign it.

Still, Republicans insisted before the vote that their action was not in vain. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, who said the law amounts to "the crown jewel of socialism," said House Republicans "have a message" for those "who think this may be a symbolic act."

"This is not symbolic, this is why we were sent here," she said, "and we will not stop until we repeal a president and put a president in the position of the White House who will repeal this bill, until we repeal the current Senate, put in a Senate that will listen to the American people and repeal this bill."

The final vote tally was 245 to 189 in favor of repeal, with three Democrats voting with the Republican majority. The three Democrats voting for repeal were Rep. Dan Boren (OK), Rep. Mike McIntyre (NC) and Rep. Mike Ross (AR), all of whom voted against the health care bill last year. Ten Democrats who voted against the bill last year and won reelection declined to vote to repeal it.

No Republicans voted against repeal. The only member not to vote on the bill was Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona, who is recovering from an assassination attempt.

House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, right, accompanied by House Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Virginia.

/ AP

House Speaker John Boehner argued on the House floor before the vote that the health care legislation is costing jobs and will add to the deficit. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the repeal bill would actually increase the budget deficit by $230 billion over a decade, but Republicans maintain that the estimate does not take into account all of the costs of the measure.

"Let's stop payment on this check before it can destroy more jobs and put us in an even deeper hole," he said. "Then let's work together to put in place reforms that lower costs without destroying jobs or bankrupting this government."

Republicans plan to draft alternative proposals in the coming months as part of their effort to build a credible package of replacements to the current law. While Americans remain split on the overall health care reform package, many of its specific planks are popular, and Democrats hammered Republicans in the run-up to the vote for seeking to eliminate them.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, for example, held a news conference to showcase her department's study finding that as many as 129 million Americans under age 65 have some pre-existing medical condition. The health care law bars health insurers from turning away Americans with pre-existing conditions.

Republicans are expected to press in the coming months to push for limitations on medical malpractice lawsuits and try to reverse changes to the Medicare Advantage program included int he law. More broadly, they will also attempt to remove the so-called "individual mandate" requiring Americans to purchase coverage, a central tenant of the bill and one that is at the center of GOP-supported court challenges to its constitutionality.

Democrats have said they are open to changing the legislation but unwilling to throw it out entirely and start over. Many have said they see Republican efforts to repeal the bill as a second opportunity to sell the law to the American people after falling short in their first attempt.

In a statement Tuesday, President Obama said that because of the law, "Americans no longer have to live in fear that insurance companies will drop or cap their coverage if they get sick, or that they'll face double-digit premium increases with no accountability or recourse." He went on to stress the law's tax credits for small businesses, the fact that children can now stay on their parents' plans up to age 26, and what he called a strengthening of Medicare and a lowering of prescription drug costs.

Before the final repeal vote Wednesday, Democrats took a symbolic action of their own, forcing a vote on a "motion to recommit" that would mandate that repeal cannot go into effect unless a majority of the House and Senate withdraw from their federal health care plan. Republicans voted down the motion. More than a dozen House GOP freshmen have said they would decline the health care plan.

Even if they cannot repeal the legislation, Republicans have vowed to do everything they can to delay or stop its implementation, including denying necessary funds to implement changes to the law. Though some of the legislation's major provisions are already in place, many do not take effect until 2014, including the individual mandate.

[markbledsoe52]

It is sad that the Republican Party has come into this session of congress and the first thing that they do is waste the American peoples' time. It has been said that the bill and the resulting law was crafted in the backrooms of Congress which I believe to be true, but aren't all bills done this way? Someone has an idea, It's written up in an office. It then goes through a caucas or a committee. It is presented and voted on. Instead of wasting time with a symbolic vote. why not bring up specific proposals that would make the law better. No bill passed in my lifetime was been perfect. You people are suppose to be statesmen and are suppose to be working in the peoples interest. Instead of trying to throw out the baby with the bathwater do your job. Make the law better. You asked for the job pass the legislation needed to make the law more effective. Instead of having symbolic votes that is not why you were voted in. You were voted in to make a difference in the lives of the American people. Make our lives better not GRANDSTAND!!!!! Get to work do something positive. I don't care about what party you are in do the job you asked the American People for. Be a statesman

[hanalei169]

I get it,the right wing does not like this LAW and they intend to "repeal" this LAW, that statment itself is at best misleading. You can't actually "repeal" a law. You can repeal a BILL, but once the President signs it into Law, it can't be repealed. However Congress could pass a new law making the prior law (or parts of it) null and void. Alternatively, the law could be challenged in a court of law, and the court would have to declare the law unconstituional.Congress can write and pass new legislation that supersedes it.
The President can issue an Executive Order against it (highly unlikely for legislation this big. That would be like an EO to ban Social Security or the Civil Rights Act. Technically possible in a declared State of Emergency, but not likely.)
It seems to me that this is a big show the right is puting on and it's costing a-lot of money and inhibiting the work that should be being done. A better course of action would be to develope an option and present it to the people. Please stop the song and dance, most people are smarter then that. It's not worth the cost which is what I thought the right wanted to hold down. (here's a little secret, the left wants to keep prices down too) [thanks to babbie,Don and Scott@ Ask]

[grvmstrj]

If the repubs and conservatives rule--it is STILL government and still quite messed up. NO ONE HAS THEIR THUMB ON THE PULSE OF THE REAL AMERICAN CITIZEN! Shameful what this country has become.

[shanice_white]

I agree with brian

[shanice_white]

Hahahaha! Obama is taking back his own bill, darn wel he should
he's causing a lot of trouble

[Mortarman429]

by realist51 January 20, 2011 11:29 AM EST
mortar, you do know that even with all the so called waste and rippoffs from medicare( from doctors and ins companies) that they are still more4 cost effective than an private ins company. approx 15% in administrative costs for medicare over 30% in private ins. too you need to correct your statement. the HCR is a controll on ins companies show parts of the bill that say the goverment has control of you and your doctors decisions on care? unlike ins companies that tell you you have to call them before you can go to see a doctor for an emergency. for all who don't like to pay for taxes for this whats the difference? either pay higher priemums to pay for everyone who doesn't have ins and uses's the ER for there primary care and shut up or try and address that issue. continuely here you repubs gripping about having to pay for some one else and when a bill is passed to make people pay for there own ins and be responsible you continue to whine. guess you can never satisfy a spoiled brat.just say NO and go home.

----------------------------

Okay, why does ANYONE have to pay for someone else, in any regard? Why is one American forced to pay for another? How is that possible in a land of liberty and private property?

[Cattzen]

ALL Insurance is paid for by the people that are not using it every day.

[Mortarman429]

That is insurance, Cattzen. You pay in and the insurance company uses your money to make money (through the stock market and other investments). This is how they are able to pay out your claims.

Again, you do not answer my question...how can someone be FORCED to give up their property and it is handed to someone else that did nothing to earn it?

[Smokey75]

There are two kinds of liberals:

1) The first kind is a small portion of liberals. It is the rich liberal who feels guilty they are rich and thinks it eases their guilt if they allow the government to take a small portion of their income to give tot the second kind of liberal.

2) The second kind of liberal is what the majority of them are. This is the Dead beat hand out in the air waiting for their government handouts stolen from other hard working Americans. This kind of liberal thinks it is ok to steal from one American as it goes to them in. They vote based out what the politician promises to give them not on what is best for the country.

I would be willing to bet the majority of the liberal loons who reply to this fall into the #2 category of a liberal.

[Cattzen]

Who says Republicans are Prejudice?

And, blind to reality.

[Red_feather]

The 0bamacare health bill, do research: Truth about healthcare HR3200. It pays max $5,000. per year, if the condition qualifies. The insured picks up all the rest. There are many flaws in it; aside from being socialistic or having marxism traits.

[jesushelovesyou]

Wee's Multi Medical Diagnostics and Monitoring Center

Here is a plan to create quality healthcare, cut costs and create jobs in the video game industry at the same time:

A home medical diagnostics and monitoring system. Here is how it works:

Turn on your wee medical station and choose among a list of TV doctors with which you feel comfortable with (Doogie Howser, Kim Kardashian, Cliff Huxtable, "Hawkeye" Pierce, Gregory House, Tiger Woods, Sweet cuddly little tiger, Brett Favre and many more);

Then select from the different wee diagnostic and monitoring tools in the standard box (deluxe box includes illegal drug abuse detection kit with weekly upgrades free):

1-Colon Probe: Detect cists or lost objects on video screen (Probe must be clean and well lubricated);

2-Breast Press: Screening methods to find breast cancer. Squish each breast with two paddle like ping pong apparatuses (applies to some breasted men also);

3-Urine Strip: Urine tests are very useful for providing information to assist in the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of a wide range of diseases and can really handy to determine early on whether or not teenagers are ovulating or pregnant;

4-Blood Bots: Blood tests help doctors check for certain diseases and conditions. They help check the function of your organs and show how well treatments are working. If you are an alcoholic check your liver daily, should you need a liver transplant. (Warning: Test no more than once a day because bot accumulation in body takes over host body).

New diagnostics and monitoring tools are being developed every day. For example here are some of the Wee Multi Medical Diagnostics Center's tools that are coming soon to your doctor's internet office: Hair rejuvenation, penil stiffness, toe manicure, etc.

So what are you waiting for? Wee Multi Medical Diagnostics and Monitoring Centers are available at Wall-Mart, Homedepot and online at all Accredited Internet Health Centers (http://www.AIHC.com/ the doctor is home)...

[liberalme]

Yeah and the Governor of Florida (Rick Scott) can monitor it as he was CEO of Columbia/HCA that was charged with 14 felonies for bilking Medicare and Medicaid.

[ruwebb-2009]

The Republican Health Care Plan:
1.Do not get sick
2.Support United Healthcare CEO salary of $102 million in compensation last year (How many patients were denied treatment to cover his salary?????)

[Mortarman429]

Silly

[kcjwind]

Health Care Plan: learn to take care of yourself....get a good education, then a good job....don't have attitude that others should take care of you.