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House repeals health reform law

by Brendon Nafziger, DOTmed News Associate Editor | January 19, 2011
A Republican-led House of Representatives voted 245-189 to repeal health reform legislation Wednesday, in what is widely considered a symbolic gesture against President Obama's landmark law.

Although H.R. 2 sailed through the House, the GOP lacks the votes to axe what they consider the "job-killing" Affordable Care Act in the Democratic-controlled Senate.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said he would not bring up the GOP bill for consideration on the Senate floor, according to C-Span. President Obama has also vowed to veto any repeal.

Nonetheless, Republicans, who are looking at ways to cut financing to the health reform law should repeal efforts fail, touted their victory against what they see as an unpopular, financially irresponsible law.

"President Obama’s government takeover of health care is a serious impediment to job creation and does nothing to control the rising cost of health coverage or improve care," recently installed Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said in a statement.

But defenders of the bill claim it ultimately helps cut the deficit and ensures coverage for millions of people. On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released a report claiming nearly 130 million Americans with pre-existing conditions could be at risk of losing their insurance should the repeal efforts succeed.

The vote on H.R. 2 was originally scheduled for last week, but was postponed after the Jan. 8 shooting rampage in Tucson that left six people dead and Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) fighting for her life.