House Republican Leader: Cut Obamacare, IPAB to Avert Fiscal Cliff

National   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Nov 26, 2012   |   4:24PM   |   Washington, DC

House Republican Leader Eric Cantor put some specifics on the table for lawmakers currently embroiled in the debate over what to do avert the coming fiscal cliff. Cantor says that not only should Obamacare be on the table as a potential cut, the Independent Payment Advisory Board should be sent to the scrap heap.

“If the President is serious about joining us and fixing the problem he ought to be putting ObamaCare on the table,” he said. “There is no question in my mind, that is the largest expansion of government programs that we’ve seen.”

“All I can say is that the president has got to get serious,” said Cantor. “The speaker is correct that Obamacare is such an expansion of government spending that it ought to be on the table.”

Cantor went on to say the pro-rationing IPAB, “the essence of Washington controlling all that health care is about,” should be removed from Obamacare.

Responding, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters: The Affordable Care Act reduces the deficit considerably. I would simply point out to you that the Supreme Court has spoken, the American people have spoken, congressional leaders of both parties have spoken, and we’re going to continue with implementation.”

CLICK LIKE IF YOU’RE PRO-LIFE!

 

 

In March, the House voted to repeal a portion of the Obamacare law that pro-life advocates strongly opposed because it could lead to rationing of health care for patients across the nation. Leading pro-life groups had been asking members of Congress to approve legislation that would repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board, which has been derisively called “death panels” by detractors.

The Republican-controlled House voted for legislation to do just that on a 223-181 vote, with seven Democrats supporting the measure. Democrats int he Senate did not approve the measure.