Graves: The president needs to be held accountable for Obamacare

(From Sixth District Congressman Sam Graves)

Americans by and large have been disappointed with the results of Obamacare. Premiums have risen, small businesses have scaled back hiring, and many who liked their previous health care plans have been forced to give them up.

The House of Representatives has worked to protect Americans from the blow backs of Obamacare. Unfortunately, we have seen all of these attempts blocked by the President’s allies in the Senate.

Budget reconciliation provides us with our best opportunity to get a bill that repeals Obamacare through the Senate and onto the President's desk. Bills brought up under the budget reconciliation process require only a simple majority to pass the Senate.

Last week, the House of Representatives worked to pass an Obamacare reconciliation bill. The bill repeals individual and employer mandates, eliminates the Independent Payment Advisory Board, and kills all taxes on life saving medical devices. Without these parts of the law – particularly the individual and employer mandates – Obamacare will not stand.

Rather than have another attempt to repeal Obamacare die in the Senate, this budget reconciliation bill will make it to President Obama's desk. With the American people overwhelmingly unhappy with the law, the President needs to be held accountable for his stubborn defense of Obamacare.