This was a procedural vote on a resolution setting a time limit for debate and determining which amendments could be offered to two separate bills—both of which repealed provisions of a major health care reform law that President Obama signed into law in 2010. If passed, this particular procedural motion--known as the “previous question"--effectively ends debate and brings the pending legislation to an immediate vote. The first bill repealed a provision of the health care reform law that provided federal funds to states for health care “exchanges” (regulated marketplaces in which the uninsured could purchase subsidized health insurance). The second bill repealed a provision that provided federal funding for school-based health care centers.

Rep. Phil Roe (R-TN) supported the resolution and the underlying bills: “The exchanges mandated by this affordable health care law are the first step for Washington bureaucrats in really getting more control of our health care system. Don't get me wrong. I am absolutely for consumer choice because I believe consumer-driven health care is the only way to keep costs down. I think, if we don't do that, you will never get the costs going in the right direction. Instead, this creates a top-down mandate for the type of insurance that will be made available in these exchanges. Remember, when you're looking at this Affordable Health Care Act [the 2010 health care reform law], the government--not you, the patient, as an individual, as a person, and not the doctor--decides what is an adequate health care plan. So these exchanges are basically just an excuse for unelected Washington bureaucrats to really make our health care decisions for us.”

Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO) opposed the resolution and the underlying bill: “…This new marketplace has historically been an idea that has had strong bipartisan support: to have competitive health care exchanges; to keep in tact America's employment-based system while expanding access to tens of millions of people, including small businesses and people who are self-employed. Truly, the exchanges represent an opportunity for a more competitive and a more transparent marketplace that empowers consumers to make the choice between private insurers….School-based health care clinics serve students whose access to health care is limited; and frequently, the scope of services is determined by school officials in partnership with parents and community-based health care initiatives. Services are designed to identify problems early, provide continuity of care, and improve academic participation. These programs save money by providing access to preventive care that frequently alludes many of the families affected.”

The House agreed to the previous question motion by a vote of 234-185. All 231 Republicans present and 3 Democrats voted “yea.” 185 Democrats voted “nay.” As a result, the House proceeded to a final vote on a resolution setting a time limit for debate and determining which amendments could be offered to legislation repealing a provision of a major health care reform law that provided federal funds to states for health care “exchanges,” as well as a separate bill repealing a provision of the same health care law that provided federal funding for school-based health care centers.