MADISON — Wisconsin's congressional delegation has voted along party lines on legislation rolling back former President Barack Obama's health care law.
The House voted to pass the bill 217-213 on Thursday afternoon. Wisconsin's Republican representatives — Paul Ryan, Jim Sensenbrenner, Glenn Grothman, Sean Duffy and Mike Gallagher — all voted in favor. Democratic representatives Mark Pocan, Ron Kind and Gwen Moore all voted against it.
The bill ends tax penalties Obama's law imposes on people who don't buy health insurance and on larger employers who don't offer coverage; halts extra payments to states to expand Medicaid; replaces Obama's subsidies for people buying individual policies with tax credits; and allows states to get waivers exempting insurers from Obama's prohibition on charging higher premiums to people with pre-existing health problems.
Below are statements from Wisconsin lawmakers in Washington:
“Obamacare is a proven disaster. Premiums have skyrocketed, quality of care has suffered and, more and more, Washington has exerted itself into what should be private, trusted doctor-patient relationships.
Rep. Glenn Grothman (R)
Rep. Gwen Moore (D)
Mark Morgan, Executive Director for the Republican Party of Wisconsin
Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Martha Laning
Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel
Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D)