House Vote Sparks Renewed Obamacare Debate

The Republican-controlled U.S. House on Wednesday voted to repeal the 2010 Affordable Healthcare Act, also known as "Obamacare." The House passed H.R. 6079 by a 244-185 margin with five Democrats supporting the bill.

The vote sparked a new round of debate as politicians of both major political parties made their talking points

Congressman Jim Gerlach (R-PA6) issued this statement about the vote:

"Families and businesses of all sizes are going to be paying billions more in taxes and as many 20 million American workers may lose the insurance coverage their employer currently provides if we allow this law to stay on the books," Gerlach said. "Very simply, this law is the wrong prescription for improving our health care system. It taxes too much, spends too much, and takes a big government approach that hinders the all-important doctor-patient relationship that is the fundamental foundation for good health care. We cannot start working on true, patient-focused and financially responsible reform without first repealing this law."

Gerlach's press release added: Among the 22 new taxes is one that jeopardizes thousands of manufacturing jobs here in the 6th District. A 2.3 percent gross receipts tax on medical devices made at companies such as Neuronetics and Fujirebio takes effect in January and will cost a total of $29 billion over the next decade.

Congressman Pat Meehan (R-PA7) issued this statement after the vote:

“The health care law missed a critical opportunity to reduce the cost of care for all Americans. In fact, at $1.8 trillion, the law will cost double the original estimate over the next 10 years. The President’s own actuaries say national health spending has increased, not decreased, by $311 billion because of the law, and the Kaiser Family Foundation found average family premiums increased, not decreased, by $1,200 in the year after the law was passed.

“It cuts $500 billion from Medicare and increases taxes by $500 billion, including the new health care tax penalty. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the tax will average $1,100 per year, and at least 76 percent of those who have to pay it are middle-class by the Administration’s definition. Raising taxes on the middle class is the last thing we should be doing. It creates the Independent Payment Advisory Board, which could gut Medicare for our seniors and is opposed by Democrats and Republicans. We need to reform our health care system, but this is not the way to do it.

 “With health care costs skyrocketing for families and small businesses and too many Americans uninsured, I’m working on real solutions make health care accessible for every American, from the doctor they choose, at a price they can afford.

 “Rather than expand government, we should take action to lower costs by allowing cross state purchasing of health care and permitting small businesses to band together to get the same discounts big corporations get. We should cut waste, fraud and abuse – rather than Medicare – to close the donut hole for seniors. We should encourage families to save more for their health care needs through health savings and flexible spending accounts. I remain committed to working with Democrats and Republican to pass real reforms that will reduce the cost of health care for middle-class families, improve the quality of care and protect our economy.”

Meehan's Democratic opponent wasted no time in responding to the vote.

In fact, George Badey staged a news conference in front of Meehan's Springfield District office Wednesday morning before the vote in the House of Representatives on Capitol Hill.

“The Affordable Care Act is an excellent law. It’s an important step to providing universal healthcare for all Americans," Badey said. “It’s a longtime coming. It should have been many, many years ago that this happened.”

What do you think?

Is this vote an important affirmation of the GOP's promise to repeal Obamacare as Republicans argue, or is it an expensive waste of Congress' time as the Democrats argue?

Tell us in the comments at the bottom of this article.