WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) today voted to repeal the President’s unpopular health care law.  The Senate voted 47-51 against repealing the massive legislation.  Earlier in the day, Wicker urged his colleagues to vote in favor of the repeal.

“The Senate had an opportunity to show the American people that we are listening by voting to repeal Obamacare,” said Wicker.  “In Mississippi, this law will cost the state $1.7 billion over 10 years.  In future years, the massive expansion of Medicaid will cost Mississippi taxpayers $225 to $250 million extra each year if left in place.  The President’s health care law was a terribly flawed piece of legislation.  While we were not successful today, I am committed to repealing it and replacing it with solutions to bring down health care costs.”

Wicker voted against the health care bill last year.  The 2,000-plus page health care overhaul adds $1 trillion in federal spending, increases taxes by $500 billion, and raids Medicare by $500 billion to begin a new unfunded entitlement.  Polls continue to show strong support for repealing the law, which Senate Democrats have vowed to block.

The Senate also voted to repeal the health care law’s harmful 1099 reporting provision, which forces businesses to submit an IRS 1099 form anytime they purchase more than $600 worth of goods from another company.  This burdensome paperwork stifles job creation at a time when one in ten Mississippians are actively looking for work.

Earlier in the week, a Federal District Court Judge ruled the law was unconstitutional because it forced all Americans to purchase health insurance.  Wicker signed an amicus brief last year in support of the court case brought by 26 states including Mississippi.

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