Health Repeal & More

House Republicans last night rolled out their bill to repeal the Obama Administration health reform law, using just two pages to try to scrap the signature achievement of Democrats from 2010.

The goal of the bill couldn't be any more clear than the description of the measure:

"To repeal the job-killing health care law and health care-related provisions in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010."

The actual name of the bill will be the "Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act."

Democrats blasted the move, previewing their own plan of attack in coming months on the new GOP leadership in the House.

"Instead of joining Democrats in our efforts for job creation, Republicans are planning to put insurance companies back in charge by repealing patient's rights," said outgoing Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Also pressing the job creation comparison angle was Pelosi's top lieutenant, Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD).

"GOP repeal bill rolls back patients' rights, puts insurance companies back in charge of Americans' health care," Hoyer said last night.

The plan right now is to have votes in the House on the ground rules for the health reform debate this Friday, and then a vote in the full House next week on January 12.

Today, House Republicans and Democrats will meet separately, a day before the GOP officially takes over the House, with Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) ready to become the next Speaker.

Democratic leaders will be holding a news conference today to go on the attack against the GOP plans, not only on health reform, but also on an internal package of rules changes for the House, which Democrats charge makes it easier to cut taxes for the rich.

Those rules changes are expected to be ratified today by Republicans, and then voted on Wednesday by the Full House.

Also on the schedule this week, a plan that would cut 5% from lawmaker and leadership budgets in the House.  That will be voted on Thursday.

House Republicans last night rolled out their bill to repeal the Obama Administration health reform law, using just two pages to try to scrap the signature achievement of Democrats from 2010. The goal of the bill couldn't be any more clear than the description of the measure:"To repeal the job-killing ...