Senate Dems vow to block efforts to repeal health law

[sabra]

Source: MSNBC

In a letter to Speaker-in-waiting John Boehner, Senate Democratic leaders today made explicitly clear what has been long assumed about House GOP efforts to repeal the health care law.

"If House Republicans move forward with a repeal of the health-care law," they wrote, "we will block it in the Senate."

The letter was signed by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin, Vice Chairman Chuck Schumer, Conference Secretary Patty Murray, and Policy Committee Vice Chair Debbie Stabenow.

The leaders reminded the Boehner that "several key provisions" of the law became effective with the start of the new year on Jan. 1. They specifically highlighted how the law helps seniors fill the so-called "donut hole" in the Medicare prescription drug benefit (i.e., the gap in coverage where seniors must pay the full cost out of their prescriptions).

"Thankfully, the federal health care law signed in 2010 fully closes the so-called "donut hole" by 2020. The new law provides that seniors will receive a 50-percent discount on the brand name drugs that they purchase while stuck in the 'donut hole' and thus will save them thousands of dollars starting in 2011."

Read more: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/01/03/5758472-senate-dems-vow-to-block-efforts-to-repeal-health-law

[Parche]

1. i have to see that to believe it

these days...unfortunately :hi:

[Champion Jack]

2. Good for them

and fuck you orange man

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

3. One would hope.

:eyes:

[affrayer]

4. Nothing I would like better...

Then to watch the republicans tell 40 to 60 million American citizens that after handing the wealthy over 800 billion in tax cuts, the country can't afford health care for them.

[karynnj]

5. Nicely framed - welcome to DU

It says everything about Republican values.

[defendandprotect]

6. Don't we always hear this .... just before they cave?

[groundloop]

7. Only one problem, provisions that must be funded will need House support....

As I understand it certain provisions in the law will need to be funded, and the House repukes will be able to block funding for anything they don't like. Parts of the law which are regulatory are here to stay, but if something needs budgetary action it's toast (feel free to correct me if this is wrong).

[Tx4obama]

8. House is putting it up for vote just to please the teabaggers. Senate will toss bill in trash. n/t

[Davis_X_Machina]

9. I thought we wanted to kill the bill.

That no bill was better than a bad bill.

Why isn't DU embracing repeal? Non-passage was the flavor of the day here a year ago.

[Moosepoop]

10. "The leaders reminded the Boehner..."

"The Boehner"! :rofl:

[liberal N proud]

11. The GOP says this their efforts are just symbolic anyway

:wtf: