House votes to end funding for building health facilities at schools

Members of the House on Wednesday voted to end a program established in last year's healthcare law that spends $50 million per year on construction of school-based health facilities.

The House approved the bill, H.R. 1214, in a 235-191 vote. Four Republicans opposed it, and only three Democrats supported it.

The vote is the second in as many days in which the House repealed a piece of the healthcare law. On Tuesday, the House voted 238-183 to end federal grants meant to help states establish health insurance exchanges, although the White House has said it would veto that bill.

H.R. 1214 was debated Tuesday, when Republicans said the $50 million per year program was duplicative at a time when they are looking to shrink federal spending. Democrats said cutting the funds would put needy schoolchildren at risk of not receiving care.

The House rejected two amendments to the bill on Wednesday in roll call votes, even though they were accepted by voice vote Tuesday evening. One from Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) would have required the government to put up a public notice that the funds were rescinded, but this was rejected in a 207-218 vote.

The second, from Rep. Lois Capps (D-Calif.), would have required a study on which schools might need federal aid, but this was rejected in a 205-210 vote.

The Obama administration has said it opposes H.R. 1214, but has not said it would veto the legislation.