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This week, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health passed H.R. 1215, a bill introduced by Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) that eliminates mandatory appropriations amounting to $375 million from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), Obamacare.  The bill relates to a provision of Obamacare that established grants for personal responsibility programs and provided $75 million for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2014.  The legislation converts the funding into an authorization that would require Congress to determine funding through the annual appropriations process.

This action would undo the Administration’s control over PPACA and allow for Congressional review and authorization of the program.

“I continue to be troubled by the fact that Obamacare grants too much fiscal power to the Administration.  Currently, Obamacare contains $105 billion in mandatory spending that bypasses Congress’s normal appropriations process. Converting this section of Obamacare into an authorization, and subject to Congressional oversight, is a positive step in cutting unnecessary spending and eliminating more bureaucratic control by the Administration,” said Congressman Latta.

Congressman Latta’s bill is one of five bills passed this week by House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health that eliminate mandatory funding found within PPACA enabling Congress to conduct its oversight role and set spending priorities.