The more civil tone of debate did little to bridge the massive divide between Democrats and Republicans on health care reform as the two sides sparred over a measure to repeal the law on Tuesday. “This new law amounts to a big government takeover of our health care system,” Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., said. “One that will result in fewer choices, higher prices and rationed care.”
Democrats spent Tuesday building their case that repealing the law would strip away new rules and regulations that provide increased health care benefits for consumers and a reduction in the deficit, according to figures provided last year by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. They pointed to constituents who were previously ineligible for coverage thanks to pre-existing conditions, caps on benefits, or lack of employment who would now get coverage under the new health care law.
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“That is why it is an historic mistake to take away these patient protections and throw these people back over to the whims and the many abuses of the insurance industry,” said Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., who added, “There is no doubt the insurance industry would be popping champagne bottles if this law is repealed.”
House Republicans have made the repeal of health care reform their first major legislative effort in the majority, but delayed the debate for a week to acknowledge the shooting rampage in Tucson that killed six and injured 14, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz.
Back at work on Tuesday, lawmakers heeded the call for less vitriol and avoided attacking each other. Instead, the two sides focused on the pros and cons of repealing the health care law, which passed in March with just one Republican vote. The law requires everyone to buy health insurance and provides new subsidized coverage for millions who are uninsured.
Lawmakers debated the legislation for several hours on Tuesday with additional debate scheduled for Wednesday. The measure will then pass easily thanks to a 24-seat GOP majority.
Democrats staged a hearing on the health care bill to coincide with the floor debate, calling the Republican legislation the “GOP bill to repeal patients’ rights.” They invited patients and doctors who provided testimony in favor of the law.
Republicans, meanwhile, lined up on the House floor to denounce the bill as far more costly than the Democrats and the CBO have estimated. They said it would lead to employers dropping their insurance coverage and hiring fewer workers thanks to the law’s many tax increases. House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said the bill would result in $2.6 trillion in spending over 10 years.
“This bill blows a hole through the deficit,” Ryan said.
The GOP’s new Tea Party-backed freshmen argued that the health care law is unconstitutional because it requires everyone to purchase health insurance.
“What we are discussing today goes to the core of our constitutional design,” Rep. Justin Amash, R-Mich., said. “It’s asking members of Congress whether we take constitutional limits to our powers seriously.”
Once the bill passes the House, it is up to the Democratic-led Senate to take up the measure, which is unlikely. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., on Tuesday nonetheless challenged Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., to take up the bill while House Republicans move to create a health care reform alternative.
