Doctors urge GOP to improve, not repeal, reform law

A pro-reform physicians group is asking leading House Republicans to strengthen — not repeal — last year’s healthcare overhaul.

Doctors for America on Thursday morning delivered a petition, signed by more than 2,000 physicians and medical students, to the offices of Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) that urged the new House majority to improve the healthcare reform law. The petition, delivered less than a week before the GOP is set to vote on a measure to repeal the reform legislation, emphasized the law’s consumer protections.

"We believe repealing or weakening the Affordable Care Act will move our healthcare system backward — and we strongly urge against it," the petition said. "Instead, we ask you to work with us in building upon the Affordable Care Act, making it stronger, and ensuring that we can create a healthcare system that works for all Americans."

Democrats ramping up their defense of the reform law over the past week have touted its consumer protections. Republicans said they will work to replace the law's popular elements after they vote on repeal.