GOP pushes bill unraveling health care law through Senate

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional Republicans are a step away from acquiring what they consider a political cudgel for next year's elections: A veto by President Barack Obama of legislation devastating his health care law and Planned Parenthood.

Republicans said a veto, which the White House has promised, will underscore that a GOP triumph in next year's presidential and congressional elections would mean repeal of a statute they blame for surging medical costs and insurers abandoning some markets.

Party leaders initially encountered objections from some moderate Republicans leery of cutting Planned Parenthood's funds and from presidential contenders, Sens.

[...] moderate GOP Sens.

The Senate bill would all but erase the health care overhaul by dismantling its key pillars, including requirements that most people obtain coverage and larger employers offer it to workers.

[...] eliminated would be its expansion of Medicaid coverage to additional lower-income people and the government's subsidies for many who buy policies on newly created insurance marketplaces.

[...] it would end taxes the law imposed to cover its costs, including levies on higher-income people, expensive insurance policies, medical devices and indoor tanning salons.