House Repeals Obamacare ... Again

It's too bad that LV Congressman Charlie Dent and Scranton attorney Matt Cartwright are running against weak opposition, and not each other. I'd love to see those two debate Obamacare and our economy.

The U.S. House has voted more than thirty times now to repeal different aspects of Obamacare. Twice, they've voted to repeal the whole damn thing. Their latest stab at that was yesterday. But without similar action in the Senate, which seems highly unlikely, they're wasting their time.

LV Congressman Charlie Dent, who voted with every other Republican in favor of a repeal, argues that this supposed medical reform will actually unleash 20 new taxes:

"The 2010 health care law contains numerous detrimental policies that not only fail to appropriately address the complex problems of our health care system, but hurt our economy and hardworking American families. Repealing the law would allow Congress to enact meaningful reform measures that reduce cost, expand access and improve quality. Its repeal would also prevent the imposition of over 20 new or higher taxes that will cost Americans $675 billion over the next decade and stifle economic growth. While the political reality is repeal will not occur under this Administration, which still considers the deeply flawed law its signature legislative achievement, Congress must remain committed to repealing and replacing the most problematic provisions with substantial reforms. I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress in a bipartisan manner to advance common sense, sustainable reforms that benefit the American people.”

But Matt Cartwright, running for Tim Holden's seat in parts of the Lehigh Valley, thinks Congress should focus on creating jobs. He calls the repeal a "meaningless political game."

"Two weeks ago, the Supreme Court upheld the Constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. In response to the court’s ruling, Republicans in the House of Representatives decided to hold a vote to repeal the health care law completely. The timing of this could not be worse; neither could the flagrant political posturing.

"It is important to realize what a full repeal of this bill would mean. The Medicare prescription “doughnut hole,” would remain open, once again placing the burden of full payment on our seniors. People with pre-existing medical conditions, including cancer patients, could once again be denied the possibility obtaining affordable care. According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, the federal deficit would increase by $210 billion. 3.8 million Pennsylvanians have already used a free preventative service provided by the Affordable Care Act- this would cease. These popular benefits and many other reforms the ACA brings must not be repealed.

"Beyond being bad policy, this push to repeal the Affordable Care Act is a meaningless political game. During their time in the minority, these Republicans remarked that health care was the wrong priority, and that Congress should be focusing on other job creation measures. Yet during their time in the majority, Republicans have voted thirty-two times to repeal measures contained in this health care law, and they have already voted once for a full repeal. We know that the Senate will not vote to overturn this law. Now is not the time to engage in these types of useless political games- now is the time for bold action.

"Last week, we saw the best of Congress. Working across the aisle, Democrats and Republicans passed a Transportation Bill that promises to create or retain 2.9 million jobs in the construction industry, a sector that has been battered in this recession. The American people are looking to Congress for more of this job-creating legislation. Let’s hope that they will deliver."

Both views are well-stated.