The U.S. House of Representatives has advanced toward demolishing Barack Obama's signature healthcare law. The Republicans passed a new measure that eases the passage of a new law and would defeat any Democratic opposition.
The political showdown raises a big questions over medical coverage for more than 20 million Americans. The measure was passed in the House, 227-198, delivering a big blow to Obama's legacy a week before he leaves the White House.
The U.S. Senate passed the resolution by 51-48 on Thursday.
Time to fix the problems caused by the old law
When taking the first step toward repealing Obamacare, Americans are closer to getting relief from the problems caused by this law, declared House Speaker Paul Ryan. He also added that this resolution gives them the tools they need for a step-by-step approach to fix all these problems and put Americans back in control of their health care.
Obamacare has provided healthcare subsidies and medical coverage for millions of people who are not covered through work.
It has banned insurers from refusing coverage to sick people, and curbed medical charges to the ill and elderly. But the law has been hit by rising premiums, large fees and national insurers exiting the marketplaces.
Democrats have slammed Republicans
Democrats have declared that Republicans have no alternative plan, and they said a repeal will hurt the healthcare of 30 million Americans and create economic problems because it would increase the U.S. budget deficit by $353 billion over the next 10 years.
House Minority Leader, Nancy Pelosi, of California declared that the Republicans have had six years since the passage of Obamacare to propose an alternative, but they have not been able to create a new health law.
Nancy Pelosi believes the repeal would damage Medicare and Medicaid, which are now linked to the Affordable Care Act.
