Republicans in the House of Representatives unveiled a bill Thursday that would block funding for President Barack Obama's health care reform as long as it is contested in the courts.
The measure targeting the health care reforms passed by Congress in 2010 was contained in a bill that would fund the Health and Human Services Department in 2012.
Besides barring funding next year for the health care reforms, it would eliminate 8.6 billion dollars in funds allocated for a variety of measures that are already underway.
The new bill comes a day after the Obama administration asked the US Supreme Court to decide whether the reforms -- which would require everyone to have health insurance by 2014 -- are constitutional in a bid to settle legal challenges by certain states.
To be adopted the bill must be approved by both houses of Congress. In the Senate, the Democratic majority is likely to oppose the bill.
Republicans, who have held the majority in the House of Representatives since the November 2010 midterm elections, have campaigned against the repeal of the health care reforms.
(c) 2011 AFP
