January 26, 2012
By: Jana Bell
A leading member of the House of Representatives has said that some lawmakers are working to draft a potential replacement for the government's healthcare reform law, in case part or all of the law is struck down by the Supreme Court.
Speaking to reporters this week, Republican House Energy and Commerce health subcommittee chairman Joe Pitts said he expects at least part of the law to remain in place, even if other parts are removed.
"We'll have a window of opportunity to - with everyone looking - to explain that the Affordable Care Act is not fully implemented yet. A lot of people think it is," Pitts said. "We'll use that opportunity in that window to discuss the full ramifications of the Affordable Care Act and what we'll replace it with."
He added many parts of the law, such as the clause allowing insurers to sell health insurance policies across state lines and reforming medical liability laws, should have support from both sides of the aisle.
The nation's highest judicial body is set to rule on the constitutionality of the law later this year. It's scheduled to hear arguments on the law in March, and will then likely issue a ruling before the end of June.
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