The U.S. House of Representatives will begin the planned debate on Tuesday to repeal the new health care law.

The start of the process fulfills a campaign promise by congressional Republicans who said they received a mandate from the voters to do away with the controversial measure.

"We have to pull Obamacare out by the roots," Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, said.

GOP lawmakers have insisted the law will do little to control skyrocketing medical costs and will hamper economic growth.

"We can send a signal that we're dead-serious about getting rid of the spending of the money we don't have and making sure we stop the job-killing regulations that have followed after the passage of that bill," Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va., said.

"The evidence is overwhelming that this health care law, by raising taxes, imposing new mandates and increasing uncertainty, is already destroying jobs in our country," House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said.

But Democrats have noted the increased number of Americans covered by the law. They view this week's debate as a second chance to win the public relations battle over health care reform.

Key provisions of the law have already been put into place. They include:

• Allowing adult children to stay on their parents insurance until they turn 26.
  
• Discounts for seniors for prescription drugs.
  
• Insurance coverage for those with pre-existing conditions.

Nevertheless, public opposition to the law has remained high. A new Associated Press-GfK poll shows 41 percent of Americans oppose the measure, while 40 percent support it.

The repeal is expected to pass the Republican-led House but is believed to have little chance of clearing the Democratic-controlled Senate.

Either way, this is an issue that's not going away anytime soon. Republicans have indicated they plan to make health care repeal a central issue in the 2012 election campaigns.