Dems, GOP battle over healthcare law as 2013 spending bill advances

Democrats and Republicans clashed Tuesday over President Obama’s signature healthcare reform law as Democrats moved forward with a 2013 spending bill that funds it. The Labor, Health and Human Services appropriations bill passed out of a Senate Appropriations subcommittee by a vote of 10 to 7 with the GOP united in its opposition to increased funding for the Affordable Care Act. It heads for a full committee vote on Thursday. Protecting the ACA’s funding could be tricky if part of the law is struck down by the Supreme Court later this month.