GOP, Reid trade opening shots on health care repeal

Incoming Republican leaders in the House of Representatives today announced a Jan. 12 vote to repeal health care reform. But Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and other Democrats served notice they intend to fully defend the new law.

The skirmish over health care comes days before the start of the new congressional session, but shows both sides preparing to battle for political ground over the landmark law. A House vote to repeal will have little practical effect as Reid and the Democrats that run the Senate certainly will not follow suit, a point they made in letter on Monday.

But a repeal vote could set the groundwork for Republicans to follow up later this year by refusing to fund specific portions of the law. And depending on how many Democrats cross the aisle to vote for repeal, next week's vote could serve as a way to embarrass President Barack Obama.

In a letter today to House Speaker-elect John Boehner of Ohio, Reid said the Republicans' vow to roll back the health care law will endanger new benefits to millions of consumers, including 50 percent discounts on prescriptions drugs for senior citizens stuck in the Medicare "donut hole" loophole.

"This is no minor reform. But almost as soon as it has taken effect, it is already in jeopardy," said the letter signed by Reid, and fellow Senate leaders Dick Durbin of Illinois, Chuck Schumer of New York, Patty Murray of Washington and Debbie Stabenow of Michigan.

"If House Republicans move forward with a repeal of the health care law that threatens consumer benefits like the “donut hole” fix, we will block it in the Senate," the Democratic leaders wrote. "We urge you to consider the unintended consequences that the law’s repeal would have on a number of popular consumer protections that help middle class Americans."

In announcing the Jan. 12 vote, Brad Dayspring, a spokesman for incoming House Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Virginia said the health care law -- or Obamacare, as its critics call it -- " is a job killer for businesses small and large, and the top priority for House Republicans is going to be to cut spending and grow the economy and jobs.

“Further, Obamacare failed to lower costs as the president promised that it would and does not allow people to keep the care they currently have if they like it. That is why the House will repeal it next week,” Dayspring said.