The House expected to vote on the health care overhaul
TEXT OF STORY
STEVE CHIOTAKIS: On Capitol Hill today, the House is scheduled to vote on a repeal of the health care overhaul that passed last Summer. Republicans say despite calls by Democrats to block the repeal, politicians shouldn’t underestimate their zeal. But some of the most popular provisions of the new law have already gone into effect. Making it harder to completely repeal the overhaul.
Marketplace’s Nancy Marshall Genzer reports.
NANCY MARSHALL GENZER: The consumer protections already in effect include allowing young people to stay on their parent’s health insurance plans until the age of 26. Prohibiting insurers from denying coverage to children with pre-existing conditions. Plus making it illegal for insurance companies to search for a mistake on an insurance application in order to cancel a policy. Vivian Ho is a health care economist at Rice University. She says these parts of the health care overhaul are popular, complicating repeal efforts.
VIVIAN HO: I Think once the public becomes aware of some of these provisions and are taking advantage of them themselves, they are going to be less likely to be in favor of repealing the legislation.
The House will probably vote to repeal the health care law, but the Senate isn’t likely to follow suit, and President Obama would veto any repeal, anyway. But Democrats say they are open to tinkering with the law. The House is expected to approve a second measure, instructing three committees to come up with replacement legislation.
In Washington, I’m Nancy Marshall Genzer for Marketplace.
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