|
 |
 |
|
GOPers say new House rules hold key to 'ObamaCare' repeal
A handful of Republicans say the rules of the House — not the Democratic-controlled Senate, or President Obama — are standing in the way of attacking "ObamaCare."
Rep. Doc Hastings (R-Wash.) said the key to thwarting the healthcare law is a change in the House's organizational structure. He wants to create a new committee that would consolidate the House's power over all federal health programs.
Hastings was circulating a "dear colleague" letter advocating the change ahead of House Republicans' organizational meetings Wednesday.
"There will be apprehension by some that this is too hard to accomplish, that it’s too disruptive, or that such action needs more time to be more carefully thought out," Hastings wrote in his letter. "To critics it should be asked: How can we possibly hope to repeal ObamaCare if we cannot even reform the House over which we have total control?"
With Obama back in the White House and Democrats still in control of the Senate, many Republicans — including Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) — have acknowledged that the healthcare law is here to stay. But Hastings said his new committee is the key to eventually repealing ObamaCare.
"As our Republican House Majority prepares to grapple with another four years of the Obama presidency, our conference has an opportunity to aggressively target ObamaCare and the threats it poses to America’s economy and our freedoms," Hastings wrote. "How is this possible when President Obama and Senate Democrats stand in the way? The answer is we take decisive action over that which we control entirely: the organization and operation of the House of Representatives."
The letter was also signed by Reps. Reid Ribble (R-Wis.) and Rob Woodall (R-Ga.)
They said a new committee should have jurisdiction over all federal health programs. That authority is now spread across several panels — Ways and Means controls Medicare, while Energy and Commerce share jurisdiction over Medicaid. The complex committee structure is standing in Republicans' way, Hastings argued.
"By taking the simple and dramatic step of establishing a new House Committee on Health Care, into which all healthcare jurisdiction is consolidated, we can most effectively challenge ObamaCare and create a forum for generating positive healthcare solutions for our nation. This would be a fully-empowered permanent standing committee with complete legislative and jurisdictional authority over healthcare – not a temporary, duplicative or toothless 'select' committee," Hastings wrote.
