RNC launches online petition to repeal Affordable Care Act

WASHINGTON, May 2 (UPI) -- The Republican National Committee launched an online petition aimed at doing away with the Affordable Care Act, which reformed the U.S. healthcare system.

"While families and small businesses are struggling with the high costs and burdensome regulations of this law, Democrats in Congress are trying to exempt themselves and their staff," the RNC said on its website Thursday. "Voters are invited to voice their disapproval for all those Obama Democrats seeking special treatment by signing the petition at GOP.com."

The signatures will be presented to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius "to tell her that all Americans should get an exemption from the Obamacare train wreck," the RNC said.

Saying public support for the law is at an all-time low, RNC Chairman Reince Priebus said, "It's time for the president's administration to realize that everyone deserves an exemption from Obamacare -- not just his Washington allies."

"Obama Democrats" want to exempt themselves from the Affordable Care Act, Priebus said, "while hard working taxpayers get stuck dealing with skyrocketing healthcare premiums and the 'glitches and bumps' that the president admits are just around the corner."

Leaders have denied the claim that congressional Democrats tried to carve an exemption for Capitol Hill from the law, saying they would not support an exemption policy for lawmakers and staff, The Hill reported.

The Affordable Care Act's key provisions -- state insurance exchanges and Medicaid expansion -- become effective Jan. 1.