House votes to trim some health benefits

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House has voted to make it harder for hundreds of thousands of people to qualify for Medicaid under the president's health-care overhaul.

Lawmakers voted 262-157 to include Social Security and railroad retirement benefits in the formula that determines whether people qualify for the aid.

The Congressional Budget Office says that would knock 500,000 to 1 million people off coverage by the federal insurance program for the poor, al though some would qualify to buy coverage under new insurance exchanges.

The budget office has estimated the change would save about $13 billion over the next decade.

The House wants to use those savings to pay for the repeal of a law that pressures government contactors to fully pay their taxes.

The Senate hasn't voted yet on the health measure.