US House of Representatives Passes Bill to Repeal, Replace Obamacare

“Passed by recorded vote: 239 — 186,” the record read on Tuesday.

The White House issued a statement saying US President Barack Obama strongly opposes the bill and would veto it.

The attempt to repeal the law would endanger US healthcare, and would also increase the deficit and halt to job creation and economic growth, according to the statement.

Republicans have long opposed Obamacare, calling it unworkable, and have strived to repeal the law. About one third of US citizens favor repealing Obamacare, according to the data, released by the non-profit health policy organization Kaiser Family Foundation in January.

The US Supreme Court will rule in March whether the federal government can legally hand out healthcare subsidies to low and moderate income residents in 37 states that have opted out of creating their exchanges.

Depending on the court’s decision, more than 13 million people could lose subsidies in 2016, according to a Kaiser Foundation report.

The White House insists that the Affordable Care Act is a much-needed law that prohibits insurance companies from discriminating against people with pre-existing conditions, saves money, and insures higher quality care.

At present, two government programs, Medicare and Medicaid, implemented through Obamacare provide insurance to 123 million US citizens. Nearly 50 million elderly and Americans with disabilities rely on Medicare, the White House said.