By a vote of 31 to 23 along party lines, members of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee approved the GOP bill that is designed to replace the Affordable Care Act.
Determined House Republicans won early victories March 9 on divisive legislation to undo former President Barack Obama’s healthcare law, winning approval in key committees after marathon all-night sessions despite Democratic protests and opposition from doctors and consumer groups.
The GOP scored a triumph in the Commerce Committee after lengthy debate, as the committee approved legislation to reshape the way millions of Americans pay for medical care, including abolishing the tax penalty Obama’s statute imposes on people who don’t purchase insurance.
Following a marathon 27-and-a-half-hour session in which Democratic amendments to the plan were rejected one by one, the committee voted on the Republican plan early afternoon on Thursday.
(AP)
