House passes Obamacare repeal

Crain's Chicago Business reports:

The House of Representatives has approved the GOP bill erasing much of Obama's health care law, sending the measure to the Senate.

All of Illinois' GOP representatives—including Adam Kinzinger, Peter Roskam, Randy Hultgren, who were undecided on the legislation—voted for the bill.

The Illinois Health and Hospital Association said in a statement it is "disappointed with the results of today's vote.

"We have serious concerns that the proposed legislation would cause harm to patients, the healthcare delivery system, the state budget and the state economy," the association said in the statement. "More than one million Illinoisans have coverage under current law, enabling them to get the healthcare they need when they need it."

Statements are rolling in from Democrats, Republicans and industry groups.

"This afternoon's vote on the House Floor can best be described with one word: shameful," Chicago Congressman Mike Quigley, D-Chicago, said in a statement. "Today, Republicans put politics over people by moving forward on a bill with only hours' notice and without an updated cost estimate. Unfortunately, we know the cost it will have on tens of millions of Americans who will lose health care coverage as a result."

Hultgren released a statement after the vote. "Maintaining the status quo under a failing law is simply unacceptable. I have had great concerns about this bill, and expressed those to Speaker Ryan and House leadership. But doing nothing isn't an option, which I why I supported this amended bill as an important next step in the longer process of broader health reform that will benefit Illinois."

American Medical Association President Andrew W. Gurman said in a statement the bill "will result in millions of Americans losing access to quality, affordable health insurance and those with pre-existing health conditions face the possibility of going back to the time when insurers could charge them premiums that made access to coverage out of the question."

The fact that the rent-seekers don't like the bill means... it's probably much better than what we have now.