US House takes first step toward Obamacare repeal

The first steps have been taken to get rid of US President Barack Obama's healthcare law by the US Senate.

US Republicans have begun the process of repealing Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare. Source: AAP

The Republican-led US House of Representatives on Friday approved a measure making the first move toward scrapping Obamacare, joining the Senate in instructing key committees to write legislation repealing the health insurance law.

Eliminating Obamacare is a top priority of the Republican-majority Congress as well as President-elect Donald Trump, who has urged lawmakers to act quickly. The resolution passed on Friday instructs committees of the House and Senate to draft repeal legislation by a target date of January 27.

The resolution passed by a vote of 227 to 198.