(Update, 6:40 p.m.) Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Evanston) criticized what she called the 33rd effort of the House Republican majority to repeal all or part of the Affordable Care Act after today’s vote to eliminate the law. She thinks the time should be devoted to job creation.
“Though Republicans took control of the House with the promise that they will focus on jobs, they have wasted more than 43 hours of floor time on legislation to repeal Obamacare,” Schakowsky said.
Schakowsky likes the health care law as it is. She praises how it has already helped millions of Americans by eliminating caps on their insurance, allowing children under 16 to remain on their parents’ policies and insuring care for youngsters with pre-existing conditions.
“I look forward to making sure that all Americans learn about the tremendous benefits Obamacare offers them,” Schakowsky said. “Obamacare is one of greatest achievements of our time and one of the proudest moments during my time in Congress.”
(Earlier, 5:40 p.m.) Less than two weeks after the United States Supreme Court declared President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act constitutional, the House of Representatives voted to repeal it, 244-185, with Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Evanston) against and Rep. Robert Dold in favor.
Shortly after the Supreme Court decision, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) said he would schedule a vote this week. Dold indicated the next day he would vote to repeal. Schakowsky called the action useless a few days later.
Earlier: Kirk, Dold Want Changes to Affordable Care Act, Schakowsky Praises Decision
“The Republicans have had dozens of votes already on parts or all of Obamacare,” Schakowsky told Patch a shortly after the Supreme Court decision. “Like the others, this latest effort will go nowhere and is a waste of time.”
Though he favors some form of health care reform, Dold voted against the measure because of its effect on the economy, increased health care costs and quality of care.
“The Affordable Care Act merely addresses one piece of the puzzle, but in doing so it further hurts our economic recovery by dramatically raising taxes on hardworking families and small businesses by hundreds of billions of dollars,” Dold said.
Dold also worries the law in its present form is more expensive than originally forecast and could cost the taxpayers $1.7 trillion, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
Despite voting to take the Affordable Care Act off the books, Dold wants to implement certain provisions into a new law. He hopes to work in a bipartisan manner to accomplish the changes.
“There are certainly good aspects of this law which should remain in place going forward, but there’s a way to go about health care reform without bankrupting our nation, our families, and our small businesses,” Dold said.