Two House Dems Join GOP to Nix Obamacare Provision

Democratic support for the new healthcare law continues to melt away.

Two House Democrats have joined a Republican bill to repeal the Medicare payment board that the White House promoted as a major cost-saving piece of the legislation,  The Hill reports.

Rep. Shelley Berkley

The two are Reps. Shelley Berkley of Nevada and Michael Capuano of Massachusetts.

The law authorizes the Independent Payment Advisory Board to make cuts in Medicare payments when spending reaches a pre-determined target. But congressional Democrats face strong pressure from doctors and hospitals to eliminate an unelected board that puts their revenue at risk.

A spokesman for Berkley says she agrees with Obamacare’s cost reduction goals, but wants Congress to have control of spending.