国际英语新闻：Top U.S. official blasts GOP's efforts to repeal healthcare law

WASHINGTON, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius on Wednesday criticized Republican efforts to repeal President Barack Obama's signature healthcare law, calling it the worst idea for American families.

"As a new Congress takes office today in Washington, Republican leaders have made it clear that their first priority is to repeal the new health care law. I can't think of a worse idea for American families," Sebelius said in an op-ed in Wednesday's Chicago Tribune.

House Republicans, who have gained majority status in the lower chamber, scheduled a vote on repealing the healthcare law on Jan. 12. They also suggested they won't allow amendments or an open debate on their bill.

Sebelius listed benefits of the new law, which Obama signed last spring, including better protecting patients' rights, restricting insurance companies' discriminating practices and lowering healthcare costs and federal deficits.

"Repeal would slam the brakes on this progress, taking control away from families and their doctors and putting it back in the hands of insurance companies," she said.

Repeal of the entire healthcare law is not likely. Even if the bill is passed in the House, it is unlikely to pass the Senate, where Democrats still hold the majority, and Obama will not hesitate to use his veto power to defend one of his most significant legislative accomplishments in the past two years.