WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans redeemed a campaign promise to repeal President Barack Obama's health care overhaul, but now must march against the headwinds of a Democratic-controlled Senate and the specter of a White House veto.
The GOP owes its newfound control of the House in part to its appeal last fall to voters outraged about the new health care law. And when the roll call was taken, they prevailed by a 245-189 margin, with three Democrats joining 242 Republicans.
But given the solid wall of opposition among Senate Democrats and the certainty that the president would veto any repeal legislation that reached the White House, Wednesday's House floor vote had to be considered largely symbolic.
In fact, Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., might even prevent such repeal legislation from getting to the Senate floor.
In the meantime, House Republicans will follow the House floor vote with work on proposals to replace what critics have derided as "Obamacare."
Out with mandates, the requirements in the law to carry health insurance coverage. In with special purchasing pools for people whose medical conditions render them uninsurable.
Out with cuts to Medicare Advantage, the private alternative to the traditional health program for seniors and disabled people. In with limits to jury awards in medical malpractice cases and stricter restrictions on taxpayer funding for abortions.
The House will vote Thursday on a measure directing four committees — Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, Education and Workforce, and Judiciary — to work out the Republican vision for health care.
Like the repeal bill itself, the "replace" part would require the acquiescence of the Senate. Democrats still in charge there say they plan to simply ignore the House. The prospect is for months of maneuvering.
Meantime, lawsuits by more than half the states challenging the constitutionality of the law are advancing through the federal courts.
Don't look for House Republicans to follow the same game plan Democrats used a couple of years ago by putting together sweeping legislation to address the cost and coverage problems of the health care system.
