Today the House of Representatives approved H.R. 3762, budget "reconciliation" legislation that includes provisions to repeal of four provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Specifically, the legislation would repeal the ACA employer and individual insurance mandates, the medical device excise tax, and the so-called "Cadillac tax on high-cost health plans (an earlier House Ways and Means Committee provision that would have repealed the Independent Payment Advisory Board was dropped for parliamentary reasons). The bill also would, among other things, repeal the ACA Prevention and Public Health Fund, cut funding for Planned Parenthood, and increase funding to the Community Health Center Fund. The bill, which passed on a 240 to 189 vote, now moves to the Senate. Under budget rules, by including the ACA repeal provisions in a budget reconciliation bill, the Senate can approve the legislation by a simple majority vote. Nevertheless, President Obama has promised to veto the bill if it reaches his desk.
This article is presented for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice.