Senate Dems warn Boehner: Don't bother with healthcare repeal

The 112th Congress doesn't begin until Wednesday, but Senate Democrats are already vowing to block any attempts by the new GOP-led House to repeal the healthcare reform law.  

The Senate's top Democrats, led by Majority Leader Harry ReidHarry Mason ReidTensions flare over Senate filibuster McConnell offers scathing 'scorched earth' filibuster warning Oregon senator takes center stage in Democratic filibuster debate MORE (Nev.), wrote incoming House Speaker John BoehnerJohn Andrew BoehnerLobbyists eager for return to earmarks Bottom line Three ways James Kvaal can lead postsecondary education forward MORE (R-Ohio) on Monday warning the new GOP House against advancing legislation that would undo the sweeping healthcare overhaul. 

"The incoming House Republican majority that you lead has made the repeal of the federal health care law one of its chief goals. We urge you to consider the unintended consequences that the law’s repeal would have on a number of popular consumer protections that help middle class Americans," the Democrats said.

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Democrats said repeal would threaten the consumer protections included in the healthcare package, including the provision that eliminates the so-called "doughnut hole" in seniors' Medicare drug coverage.

"If House Republicans move forward with a repeal of the healthcare law that threatens consumer benefits like the 'donut hole' fix, we will block it in the Senate. This proposal deserves a chance to work. It is too important to be treated as collateral damage in a partisan mission to repeal health care," wrote Reid, Majority Whip Dick DurbinDick DurbinHillicon Valley: Senate Republicans call for hearing on FTC's Obama-era Google decision | US grid at rising risk to cyberattack, says GAO | YouTube rolls out TikTok rival in the US Elizabeth Warren: Filibuster 'has deep roots in racism' Senate Republicans call for hearing on FTC's Obama-era Google decision MORE (Ill.), Democratic Vice Chairman Charles SchumerChuck SchumerBiden must keep his health care promises FEMA pauses flood insurance rate update after Schumer pushback: report Exclusive: GOP officials offer support for Vanita Gupta MORE (N.Y.), Conference Secretary Patty MurrayPatricia (Patty) Lynn MurraySenate confirms Becerra in tight vote with just one GOP defection Transgender teen Stella Keating receives viral praise after testifying before Congress on Equality Act Watch live: Schumer, Durbin, Murray and Stabenow hold press briefing MORE (Wash.) and Policy Committee Vice Chairwoman Debbie StabenowDeborah (Debbie) Ann StabenowWatch live: Schumer, Durbin, Murray and Stabenow hold press briefing Energy Department awards million for automated vehicle development Schumer insists Democrats unified after chaotic coronavirus debate MORE (Mich.).

Democrats in the House, meanwhile, are already beginning to organize efforts to throw procedural wrenches into the repeal effort.

Rep. Peter WelchPeter Francis WelchLawmakers debate role of prescription drugs and generics in health care costs The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by TikTok - Senate trial will have drama, but no surprise ending Overnight Health Care: New COVID-19 cases nationally drop below 100K for first time in 2021 | CDC warns states against lifting restrictions amid threat of virus variants | Health officials warn COVID-19 eradication unlikely MORE (D-Vt.) circulated a draft of a "Dear Colleague" letter on Monday encouraging Democrats to co-sponsor amendments they'll offer in the House Rules Committee seeking to protect popular elements of the healthcare law. 

"We intend to offer a series of amendments to their bill at the Rules Committee that will preserve critical provisions of this landmark law that have broad public support. We invite you to cosponsor these amendments," Welch wrote. "You may well have other amendments you would like to offer and we strongly encourage you to do so."

Welch is already planning amendments that "will preserve the elimination on lifetime limits, coverage of individuals up to age 26, the requirement that individuals not be denied coverage for pre-existing conditions and the requirement that preventive care be provided free of charge."

Republicans are expected to act quickly on legislation to repeal President Obama's healthcare plan, perhaps as soon as this week, in order to follow through on a campaign promise. 

Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.), the incoming chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, promised over the weekend that House Republicans would hold a vote on repealing the law before the president's State of the Union address at the end of the month.

The vote on repealing the law is expected to be largely symbolic as long as Obama is in the White House and Democrats control the Senate. It would take a two-thirds majority in both chambers to override a presidential veto of the repeal legislation.

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The letter from the Democratic leaders may preview the messaging battle to come over the law. Democrats want to highlight popular provisions in the legislation that would be threatened by repeal, such as the ban on insurers rejecting coverage for pre-existing conditions.

"The 'donut hole' fix is just one measure that would be threatened by a repeal effort. Taking this benefit away from seniors would be irresponsible and reckless at a time when it is becoming harder and harder for seniors to afford a healthy retirement," Senate Democrats said in the letter.

But polls have found that other aspects of the bill, including the individual mandate to buy insurance, aren't popular with the public. 

"Maybe it's not ideal — it's certainly not communism," Sen. Sherrod BrownSherrod Campbell BrownOn The Money: IRS chief says unemployment recipients shouldn't file amended tax returns | GOP senator blocks bill to prevent private debt collectors from seizing stimulus checks OVERNIGHT ENERGY: EPA reinstates climate webpage taken down under Trump | Senate panel spars over financial regulators' climate agenda | Environmental group, community activists petition EPA to block Georgia wood pellet plant Senate panel spars over financial regulators' climate agenda MORE (D-Ohio) said of the individual mandate, according to the Toledo Blade


—This article was updated at 3:28 p.m.