House Republicans scored a symbolic victory against last year’s health care reform law on Tuesday,
H.R. 1213, “To repeal mandatory funding provided to States in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to establish American Health Benefit Exchanges,” passed with unanimous Republican consent and five Democratic votes.
As the name implies, the bill targets the automatic funding intended for the newly mandated insurance exchanges, but does not, however, repeal the requirement that each state establish such an exchange.
"Repealing the fund will protect precious taxpayer resources at a time of record red ink," the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.), said on the House floor.
Elsewhere, a consumer health organization called the legislation misguided.
“House Republicans rhetorically exalt the private health insurance marketplace,” said Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA. “They ironically, however, plan to defund the creation of such state marketplaces that would enable consumers and small businesses to choose the private health plans they want. This is a perfect example of how their politically motivated zeal to criticize the Affordable Care Act trumps even their long-stated principles.”
