Even the DEMS are starting to get it! Senate Dems Vote to Repeal Obamacare Tax

[parmenio]

Senate Democrats Vote To Repeal Obamacare Tax

By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR 03/22/13 01:32 PM ET EDT

It isn't every day that more than half the Democrats in the Senate vote to repeal part of President Barack Obama's health care law.

But that's what happened Thursday night when the Senate voted 79-20 to repeal a 2.3 percent sales tax on medical devices such as catheters, pacemakers and MRI machines, which was intended to help to finance coverage for the uninsured that starts next year.

The medical device industry, a technology leader that provides lots of well-paying jobs around the country, has been lobbying all-out to repeal the tax. And Republicans were hoping Friday that the vote signals a new willingness by Democrats to defy the president on unpopular provisions of his signature law.

But others pointed out that the vote was nonbinding, amounting to budget guidance. The actual repeal of the tax is far from a done deal, and things might have come out quite differently if senators had to confront spending cuts or tax increases to fill in a 10-year, $30-billion revenue hole that would leave.

Nonetheless, 33 of the chamber's 53 Democrats joined all 45 Republicans in voting for the repeal amendment by Sens. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn. Four out of seven members of the Democratic leadership voted for it. Two independent senators who caucus with the Democrats split their votes for and against.

Republicans said the result exceeded their expectations.

"I would like to see the entire law repealed," said Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo. "But since the Supreme Court said it's constitutional, and the president was re-elected, I think we are going to see Democrats work in a bipartisan way to repeal portions of the law." Other targets: a tax on health insurance plans and a Medicare cost control board.

Not so fast, says the White House. "Last night's purely symbolic vote has no bearing on the future of the Affordable Care Act and its implementation," said spokesman Brad Carroll. The administration says the industry will benefit from millions of newly insured customers as a result of the law, and it should contribute in the same way that hospitals, drug companies and health insurance plans are also taking cuts or paying higher taxes.

The industry says it has been lumped in the wrong category, because the vast majority of its customers are already covered by insurance and it isn't expecting a windfall from Obama's law. The companies started paying the tax Jan. 1, and they say if it stays on the books that will lead to lay-offs and put a damper on investment. Outside economists expect the industry will be able to pass on most of the tax increase to customers.

The one thing the Senate vote clearly proved is that the industry has lobbying clout, said Robert Laszewski, a consultant to health care companies.

"This was an easy vote for many senators to take in response to a very powerful medical device lobby," Laszewski said. "Let's see what happens when the choice is to undermine the (health care law) or come up with an alternative source of revenue. I don't think these 33 Democratic senators have any intention to start taking the Affordable Care Act apart."

Also on HuffPost:

[Biker]

No i don't think they get it . Maybe a couple that fell off the turnip's cart mite but for the majority no they don't get it. There so ate up with them selfs and there Lives they cant see whats happening. Ya no some time ya just cant fix stupid.

[gymrat76541]

The ONLY thing that Washington is getting; The cash being thrown around by the Medical Lobbyist.

 

Washington is "FOR SALE"

 

I think the best thing for the nation is to go to a Universal Health Care System. Everyone who works buys a set amount (percentage) straight out of their check for health care. Everyone is covered no matter the illness. Of course, that will make the inflated health care system cut salaries for over priced doctors/nurses and other health care professionals. Also it would mean that the medications would be free also. This would eliminate the over priced medications and over blown research costs. Europe has this system and it has proven to work.

 

Not good news for everyone making those huge salaries and living the "good" life but everyone would receive the health care which is needed. NOT just the one's who can afford the proper care.

Edited March 22, 2013 by gymrat76541

[Slaydadea]

HMMMMM!! The 2014 Elections got anything to do with it? Makes ya wonder. 

[parmenio]

 

HMMMMM!! The 2014 Elections got anything to do with it? Makes ya wonder.

 

YEP!

[jobug38]

HMMMMM!! The 2014 Elections got anything to do with it? Makes ya wonder.

Exactly, and you will see a lot of Democrates voting the way their constituents want them to or they are out of there. So my advice to everyone is call as many times as you can to the congress, representatives, senators and tell them no to obamacare. Republicans have the majority in the house but 2014 is our chance to get the Senate. They thought we were asleep. They now know we are awake ,and we will send them packin. Edited March 23, 2013 by jobug38

[yota691]

2.3 sales taxes on everything that has to do with Personal Hygine to include Q tip, tooth paste, soap, dental floss this list would never end...Wake up Folks

[Maggie123]

The ONLY thing that Washington is getting; The cash being thrown around by the Medical Lobbyist.

 

Washington is "FOR SALE"

 

I think the best thing for the nation is to go to a Universal Health Care System. Everyone who works buys a set amount (percentage) straight out of their check for health care. Everyone is covered no matter the illness. Of course, that will make the inflated health care system cut salaries for over priced doctors/nurses and other health care professionals. Also it would mean that the medications would be free also. This would eliminate the over priced medications and over blown research costs. Europe has this system and it has proven to work.

 

Not good news for everyone making those huge salaries and living the "good" life but everyone would receive the health care which is needed. NOT just the one's who can afford the proper care.

 

Yep.

 

Thank You For Saying What I Was Thinking.

 

(Why is it that Congress voted in a law that Social Security can NOT negociaite perscripition price's???)

 

BIG BANKS/ GUBERMENT/ Derr...... BIG CORPS BUY THEM.

[aliciadogz]

My question is are they up for reelection?