The U.S. House passed a measure repealing much of President Barack Obama’s federal health-care law and defunding Planned Parenthood on Wednesday. Obama is expected to veto the bill.
The bill passed 240 to 181 on party lines vote. Only one Democrat voted for the bill while three Republicans voted against it. The Florida delegation voted along party lines with the exception of U.S. Rep. Rich Nugent, R-Fla., who was one of nine representatives not to vote.
U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Fla., part of the House leadership as senior deputy majority whip, insisted the bill benefited Americans.
“Today, I proudly voted in favor of the ‘Restoring Americans’ Health-care Freedom Reconciliation Act’ because it repeals the core pillars of Obamacare that stifle medical innovation and cost jobs, as well as ensures taxpayer dollars are not used to fund abortion providers,” Ross said. “Since first being elected into Congress more than five years ago, I have tirelessly fought to repeal and replace Obamacare, which has drastically raised the cost of health care and was sold to the American people with broken promises. However, Republicans have been hamstrung by Senate procedures that allowed Democrats to filibuster and block the consideration of this long overdue repeal.”
Ross said he expected Obama to veto the measure but passing the bill would force the president to address Republican criticisms of his health-care law.
“With the new Republican majority in the Senate, this repeal will finally reach the president’s desk for his signature,” Ross said. “A veto of this bill will force President Obama to explain to Americans why he chooses to ignore their concerns, especially regarding something as personal as one’s health care. Health insurance premiums for Floridians are already expected to spike nearly 10 percent in 2016, with some health care plans increasing as much as 16 percent. Forcing Americans, Floridians and employers, under the penalty of higher taxes, to purchase and provide coverage of the government’s choosing causes these devastating premium hikes and damages our health care system. We do not need the overreaching federal government making our health care decisions, cutting health care options, and denying seniors access to care.
“This bill further defends the lives of innocent babies and prevents abortion providers, like Planned Parenthood, from receiving federal mandatory funding,” Ross added. “These funds will instead be invested in community health centers that provide accessible care to women, men, and children. As Americans, we have a moral obligation to protect the rights of the unborn, who are the most helpless of victims. As a member of the Pro-Life Congressional Caucus, I am committed to preserving our nation's traditional family values, including protecting the sanctity of life.
“Moving forward, my Republican colleagues and I cannot simply be the party of repeal,” Ross said in conclusion. “We must continue to offer viable solutions and support efforts to enact real health care reform that returns health care decisions from federal bureaucrats to Americans and their physicians.”
U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw, R-Fla., also said the bill would force Obama to deal with concerns over the health-care law.
“With my vote to repeal burdensome Obamacare taxes and defund Planned Parenthood, I continued the fight to enact strong, conservative principles,” Crenshaw said. “History has been made. For the first time ever both chambers of Congress have approved an Obamacare repeal measure and sent it to the president to either sign into law or veto.
“Will he stand in the way of delivering patient-centered and economically-responsible health care to Americans? Will he continue to provide federal tax dollars to abortion providers, such as Planned Parenthood? That decision and responsibility now rests on his shoulders,” Crenshaw insisted.
“Make no mistake, however, on Congress’s position,” Crenshaw said in conclusion. “As we begin a new year, the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate have stamped their approval on solutions that will cut the deficit by half-trillion dollars. That positive accomplishment paves the way for greater patient-centered health care and is made possible by hard work and a strong commitment to core Republican values.”
Democrats insisted the Republicans had tried this tactic repeatedly and U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Fla. compared it to “Groundhog Day,” a comedy film where Bill Murray keeps living the same day over and over again.
“So much for a fresh start,” Deutch noted. “2016 has barely begun, and already House Republican leadership is holding a vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act and bar Planned Parenthood from providing preventative health services to low-income women.
“According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, at least 22 million Americans would lose their health insurance by 2017 should this bill become law," Deutch added. “I'm the first to admit that we need to improve upon the Affordable Care Act. Too many Americans are still struggling with high deductibles, narrow provider networks, expensive prescription drugs, and so many other issues. Instead of repeating the same tired attacks over and over again, wouldn't it be refreshing to tackle some of these critical issues together?”
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
