(Washington) Today, the House of Representatives voted to repeal the controversial healthcare law on a 245-189 vote. U.S. Congressman Sam Graves voted with the bi-partisan majority because of the effect the law would have on small businesses and individuals.

"The health care law isn’t about reforming our health care system, it’s about a government takeover of the health care industry," said Graves. "Instead of reining in costs and improving access, this law would result in fewer jobs, higher taxes and more unconstitutional big government mandates."

The two thousand page law would also put new burdens on small businesses. Each business would be required to report every transaction to the IRS of over $600 to vendors. Additionally, many businesses would be required to provide government approved healthcare or be forced to pay a fine to the government.

"More red tape and more paperwork is not the answer," said Graves. "We need to let employers focus on growing their businesses and creating jobs, not force them to jump through more hoops for Washington bureaucrats."

Graves said that he had repeatedly introduced bi-partisan legislation that would allow small businesses to band together and buy health insurance as one big company instead of many small ones. He also supports legislation to implement medical malpractice reform and ending regulations that keep insurance companies from competing against one another.

"We need to fix what is broken," said Graves. "That is why I support common sense solutions that will help improve access, control costs and increase competition for consumers without penalizing small businesses and families with higher taxes and more debt."

The health care repeal legislation is H.R. 2 and it will now go to the Senate where its prospects are uncertain.

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