Dems trying to slow GOP health care bill

Critics want to wait for CBO data on cost, coverage numbers

House Democrats complained Wednesday that Republicans are trying to rush through a replacement for the Affordable Care Act that they know can’t stand up to scrutiny, and they tried a variety of legislative tactics to slow it down.

“Democrats and advocates alike will band together to bring transparency to this process,” said New Jersey Rep. Frank Pallone, the top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. “And we will expose the GOP’s policies for what they are — a prescription for disaster.”

The Ways and Means Committee also was considering the bill.

The initial strategy on both panels was to slow down the process in an attempt to draw out deliberations.

Among their unsuccessful attempts were motions to delay consideration of the bill until the Congressional Budget Office issues a report on how much it would cost and how many people would have health insurance.

Six hours into deliberations, the Energy and Commerce Committee hadn’t dealt with any of the 100 amendments Democrats said they will offer.

“I don’t understand what the rush is to hold this markup today,” Pallone said. “Why are Republicans scheduling a markup when they have not held one hearing on this bill?” He said Democrats held 79 hearings on the Affordable Care Act.

Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise said there was an extensive public debate on repealing Obamacare during the election and voters chose the presidential candidate who promised to do just that.

The bill is opposed by conservative groups such as the Club for Growth, which argue it doesn’t go far enough to repeal the ACA.

But the effort also is opposed by major health care groups because of concerns too many people would lose coverage.

“We will expose the GOP’s policies for what they are — a prescription for disaster.” Rep. Frank Pallone, D- N. J.