US Republicans in fresh effort to repeal health care reform (Roundup)

Jan 18, 2011, 23:07 GMT

Washington - The US House of Representatives on Tuesday began a two-day debate on whether to repeal the controversial and sweeping health care overhaul that has been one of President Barack Obama's signature domestic achievements.

Republicans had vowed to bring up the repeal since winning back control of the US Congress' lower chamber in November's congressional elections. A final vote is expected after the debate ends Wednesday afternoon.

'It does not make our health care system better. I would argue it makes it weaker,' congressman Paul Ryan, a Republican from Wisconsin, said of the health reforms as he kicked off the debate in the House.

Obama disagreed, in a statement saying the public had 'greater health security than they did a year ago,' but also offering to work with both sides to make changes to the law.

'I'm willing and eager to work with both Democrats and Republicans to improve the Affordable Care Act. But we can't go backward,' Obama said.

The debate marks a return to contentious politics after a brief hiatus in Washington. A vote on repeal had been scheduled for last week, but was put on hold after the Tucson, Arizona shooting on January 8 that killed six people and left congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords gravely injured.

The repeal is virtually certain of not becoming law. The upper Senate chamber, which would also have to approve the repeal, remains in the control of Obama's left-leaning Democrats. Obama was also certain to veto any repeal legislation that could reach his desk.

The health care law approved in March aims to extend insurance to an estimated 50 million Americans that lack coverage, by increasing subsidies for the poor and requiring the public to buy a minimum of insurance - a provision that is being challenged in the courts.

The law has split the US public and been derided by conservatives as a 'government takeover' of the largely private health-care system, but Democrats have battled back by focusing on some of the bill's more popular provisions that have already gone into effect.

Democratic congressman Chris Van Hollen said repealing the bill 'takes away important patient and consumer protections,' including stopping insurance companies from refusing coverage to people with pre-existing health conditions, and allowing young adults to remain on their parents' health care plans until age 26.

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