Procedural House Vote Advances Bill To Repeal Health Reform’s IPAB
On Wednesday, the House in a procedural vote advanced legislation (HR 5) that would repeal the federal health reform law's Independent Payment Advisory Board, The Hill's "Healthwatch" reports (Baker/Pecquet, "Healthwatch," The Hill, 3/21).
The bill â" which passed on a 233-182 vote and had support from just five Democrats -- also would impose caps on medical malpractice awards.
The vote approved the rule for the bill, which sets up six hours of debate on the legislation in the House on Thursday (Kasperowicz, "Floor Action Blog," The Hill, 3/21).
The repeal bill is expected to easily pass the House in a final floor vote. However, it is unlikely the Democrat-controlled Senate will approve the legislation (AP/Sacramento Bee, 3/21).
Boehner Defends Piecemeal Approach
On Wednesday, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) defended the GOP's piecemeal strategy to repealing the health reform law ("Healthwatch," The Hill, 3/21). Boehner and other GOP leaders have faced criticism from other GOP lawmakers and conservative groups for attempting to dismantle the overhaul piece-by-piece, instead of pursuing a full repeal.
In a video, Boehner said the approach is necessary because the Senate will not repeal the entire law. "In the House we've already voted to repeal, defund and dismantle parts of the law 25 times," Boehner said, noting "the Democrat-controlled Senate keeps blocking these efforts."
Boehner also assured critics that the IPAB repeal measure is part of a "full court press" to dismantle the entire health reform law (Pecquet, "Hill Tube," The Hill, 3/21).
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