House rejects Republican health overhaul bill as prelude to vote on Democratic plan

House kills Republican health overhaul bill

WASHINGTON — The House has used a near party line vote to reject a Republican health overhaul bill.

Shortly before beginning its vote on a Democratic plan, the chamber voted 258-176 against a GOP version that would have lowered costs for people with insurance but done little or nothing to expand coverage to those without any. Rep. Timothy Johnson, R-Ill., opposed the measure and was the only lawmaker to cross party lines.

Outnumbered Republicans knew the chamber would reject their measure, but advanced it to present their vision of how the health system should be reshaped.

The GOP relied largely on loosening regulations on private insurers to reduce costs for the insured by as much as 10 percent. Congressional budget analysts said the plan would make no dent in the ranks of the uninsured.