Obamacare Under Fire

Repeal Votes Carry ‘Huge Political Significance,’ Bipartisan Momentum Builds To Eliminate Even More Of The Unpopular Law
‘Overwhelming,’ ‘Amazing Bipartisan Turn Against’ Obamacare Device Tax

“Take the amazing bipartisan turn against the 2.3% tax on medical device makers, even among liberals… on Thursday night ObamaCare's $29 billion excise tax on device sales (not profits) lost on the Senate floor in a rout. The vote was 79 to 20, well over the two-thirds supermajority required to override President Obama's threatened veto.” (Editorial, “Their Own Devices,” The Wall Street Journal, 3/22/13)

“Strikingly, 34 lawmakers who caucus with the Democrats signed onto the repeal, including many who created the tax by voting for the 2010 Affordable Care Act.” (“Medical-Device Tax Repeal Faces Uphill Climb In Senate,” The Wall Street Journal, 3/22/13)

‘Democrats join push to dump Obamacare tax. …Democrats have slowly started to support the measure in larger numbers.’ “Thirty-four Senate Democrats joined Republicans on Thursday night in a nonbinding but overwhelming vote to repeal a key tax in President Barack Obama's health reform law… has huge political significance as momentum builds for bipartisan consensus to get rid of another piece of Obamacare. … Democrats have slowly started to support the measure in larger numbers. In December, 19 Democrats signed on to a letter asking Reid to delay the tax.” (“Democrats Join Push To Dump Obamacare Tax,” Politico, 3/22/13)

‘Now that repeal … has gotten support from a majority of Democrats, Republicans are more likely to push to get either measure on a bill that will become law’ “The biggest victory for the law's opponents came on Thursday, when 79 senators — including all Republicans and 34 Democrats — voted to strike the law's tax on medical device-makers. … now that repeal of both has gotten support from a majority of Democrats, Republicans are more likely to push to get either measure on a bill that will become law.” (“An Obamacare Rerun: Senators Target Health Law In 'Vote-A-Rama,'” Politico, 3/23/13)

S.Amdt.297: “Deficit-Neutral Reserve Fund For Repeal Of Medical Device Tax.” (S.Amdt. 297 To S.Con.Res. 8, Roll Call Vote #47, Amendment Agreed To 79-20: R 45-0, D 33-19; I 1-1, 3/21/13)

Bipartisan Support For Repealing FSA Restrictions

“The Senate also passed by voice vote a measure to repeal the law's $2,500 cap on flexible spending accounts and eliminate the requirement that consumers get a doctor's prescription before using FSA or health savings account money on over-the-counter prescriptions.” (“An Obamacare Rerun: Senators Target Health Law In 'Vote-A-Rama,'” Politico, 3/23/13)

• “U.S. Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) today released the following statement after the Senate adopted by voice vote his amendment repealing new restrictions placed on health savings accounts (HSA) and flexible spending accounts (FSA) by President Obama’s health care law: ‘This amendment simply repeals some of the most illogical provisions in the President’s health care law,’ Johanns said. ‘It does nothing more than give back the flexibility and freedom families need to make health care decisions without government mandates getting in the way. Regardless of intentions, we cannot ignore the negative consequences the implementation of the President’s health care law is having on American families. I’m pleased my amendment received overwhelming bipartisan support.’” (Sen. Johanns, Press Release, 3/23/13)

Already Repealed: CLASS Act

“Tucked inside the ‘fiscal cliff’ deal is a provision repealing the CLASS Act, a giant unfunded mandate that was part of President Obama’s health care law.” (“'Fiscal Cliff' Deal Repeals Part Of 'Obamacare,'” Washington Times, 1/1/13)

• “The bill to avert the fiscal cliff would repeal a suspended program in the 2010 health care law that has long been targeted by Republicans. The Department of Health and Human Services suspended implementation of the long-term care insurance program in October 2011, but Republicans still have pushed for full repeal. Most Democrats resisted, saying the program needed to remain on the books so it could be improved and replaced. But the fiscal cliff bill (HR 8) would fully repeal the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act…” (“Long-Term Care Provisions Would Be Repealed In Fiscal Cliff Bill,” Roll Call, 1/1/13)

Already Repealed: 1099 Reporting Provision

“On Tuesday Senate Democrats conceded defeat in the battle of how to pay for repealing the expanded 1099 reporting provision that passed last year as part of the Affordable Care Act but which many small-business owners consider burdensome.” (“1099 Repeal Passes Senate, Heads To White House,” The New York Times, 4/5/11)

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