The Republican-controlled House is expected to approve a measure today repealing President Obama’s healthcare law. Republicans opened debate Tuesday despite Democratic vows to block advancement in the Senate. Republicans expect to follow the vote with another measure instructing House committees to draft alternative proposals. On the House floor, Democratic Rep. John Yarmuth of Kentucky denounced the Republican effort.

Rep. John Yarmuth: “They can say whatever they want, but the truth is that the Republican plan is no care, no matter how desperate or how dire your diagnosis, no matter if the alternative saves money, saves jobs and saves lives. I yield back.”

Democratic Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio also criticized the repeal effort but said Congress ultimately should establish a single-payer healthcare system.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich: “Repeal means Americans will continue to pay more for insurance but get less, that is, if they can afford health insurance in the first place. The very idea of healthcare reform solely within the context of a for-profit system has been more than problematic. Today, 50 million Americans have no health insurance. What are we going to do for them? Rather than waste time on debating how much reform insurance companies will permit, if any, it’s time to change the debate. It’s time to end the for-profit healthcare model. It’s time for a not-for-profit healthcare, single-payer, universal, Medicare for all.”