Both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have passed a concurrent resolution that sets the stage for repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and instructs congressional committees to submit a repeal bill by January 27.
On January 12, the Senate voted 51-48 to pass a resolution that establishes a congressional budget for 2017, sets forth budget levels for 2018 through 2026, and includes language that opens the door to an ACA repeal. The House approved a similar resolution on January 13 in a vote of 227-198.
The budget legislation does not have the force of law, but it contains a procedural tool known as reconciliation that will allow Republicans "to dismantle the health law with simple majorities in the House and Senate," the American College of Radiology (ACR) said in an analysis of the Senate vote.
Some professional medical organizations have criticized the resolution.
"If the ACA is repealed, every state in the country will experience big increases in the uninsured rate, uncompensated care, and potential loss of coverage for people with pre-existing conditions," the American College of Physicians (ACP) said in a statement. "[We urge] that no vote be taken in Congress that would actually repeal the ACA and its coverage and patient protections, in whole or in part, absent Congress offering a detailed explanation and legislative language of any proposals to replace or modify the law."
