Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson supported the Senate amendment to H.R. 3762, the Restoring Americans’ Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act today which builds on the House passed version from October. The legislation repeals the most onerous Obamacare provisions through a mechanism known as reconciliation, which is a budgeting process that allows Congress to align the priorities outlined in the budget resolution with existing law. This is the first Obamacare repeal bill that will reach the President’s desk.

“Since the inception of Obamacare, Americans have sent a clear message that the law is not working for them or their families,” said Simpson. “They have registered their disapproval through polls, by contacting their representatives, and by electing a Republican majority in both the House and Senate who categorically oppose government run healthcare. Today’s Obamacare repeal bill would provide relief to Americans by eliminating the burdensome taxes and overreaching mandates that are directly responsible for driving up healthcare costs.”

Specifically, H.R. 3762 would address key problems with Obamacare including:

• Repeal the individual mandate – Currently, Americans who do not purchase a health insurance plan through an exchange, receive insurance through Medicaid, or receive employer sponsored coverage, are subject to a penalty.
• Repeal the employer mandate – Employers with 100 or more employees who do not offer health insurance are subject to penalties that range from $2,000-$3,000.
• Repeal the Medical Device Tax – the 2.3% excise tax on medical devices is currently being passed on to consumers.
• Repeal the “Cadillac Tax” – 40% excise tax of the value of employer sponsored health coverage that exceeds certain benefit thresholds.
• Repeal Prevention and Public Health Fund – Also known as the Obamacare slush fund that gives the Secretary of Health and Human Services billions of dollars annually to spend with limited accountability.

“By passing today’s legislation, Americans are one step closer to ending government-knows-best healthcare and paving the way for real healthcare reforms that return important medical decisions back into the hands of families, patients, and doctors,” said Simpson.

In addition to repealing sections of Obamacare, H.R. 3762 would place a one year freeze on certain abortion providers such as Planned Parenthood, while redirecting those funds to community health centers. The bill also addresses our national debt by reducing budget deficits by $516 billion over the next 10 years.

H.R. 3762 was passed by a vote of 240-181 and will now head to the President’s desk where he is expected to veto the legislation.