House Votes to Repeal Affordable Care Act

On February 3, the House of Representatives voted 239-186 to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.  This marked the first vote by the 114th Congress to undo the entire Affordable Care Act, although Congress has voted several times on full repeal in the previous Congress. This bill will next face a Senate vote, but is expected to be vetoed by the President.  This bill also included a provision that would delay repeal for six months to allow Republicans to draft replacement health care reform legislation.
 
In the coming months, Congress is expected to target the Affordable Care Act by voting on key components of the law, including the individual mandate and employer mandate.  Legislation that would change the employer mandate from 30 to 40 hours per week passed in the House of Representatives earlier this year.  
 
Regardless of Congressional actions, the upcoming Supreme Court decision on King v Burwell is expected to have the greatest impact on the Affordable Care Act.  This case examines ambiguities in the reform law regarding the permissibility of subsidies for enrollees of federal exchanges.
 
ASA continues to monitor Congressional activity related to the Affordable Care Act and health care reform.

Find out how your Member of Congress voted here.