A different amendment to restore funding to Planned Parenthood and enhance clinic safety offered by pro-choice champions Senators Murray (D-WA) and Wyden (D-OR) also failed to pass. That’s because it sets the stage for Congress’ legislative strategy to repeal Obama’s signature healthcare law should the GOP retake the White House.
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As it stands, they lack the two-thirds House and Senate majorities needed to override a presidential veto.
However, thanks to Lee’s persistence and Kentucky Gov.-elect Matt Bevin’s victory last month, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell moved to strengthen the repeal package.
This week, government officials said that health care spending grew 5.3% in 2014, the steepest climb since Mr Obama took office.
Democrats say the 2010 Affordable Care Act – better known as Obamacare – has helped 17.6 million Americans gain medical coverage and has stopped insurance companies from refusing to insure patients with pre-existing conditions.
The legislation would repeal sections of Obamacare that mandate individuals to purchase health insurance and employers with more than 50 employees to provide it and would eliminate all fines for those that fail to comply.
It would also end the $450m a year that goes to Planned Parenthood.
The vote comes after anti-abortion activists released videos earlier this year allegedly showing organization officials discussing the sale of fetal tissue, which sent GOP officials and conservatives into an uproar.
It should be noted that federal funds can not be used to cover abortions, so the $450 million dollars Planned Parenthood would lose, would be at the expense of women’s healthcare services, like obtaining contraception that prevents unwanted pregnancies, cancer screening, and STD detection and prevention. Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders did not vote.
“Federal funds do not pay for abortion to begin with”, said Cathy Easter, executive director at Safe Harbor Shelter in Richmond.
Democrats are pushing a doomed effort to stop the cuts to Planned Parenthood.
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The House is expected to pass the Senate’s version of the reconciliation package, sending the bill to the president’s desk. Though Obama’s overhaul was enacted five years ago and gets tepid support in public opinion polls, GOP members of Congress have yet to produce a detailed proposal to replace it.
