WASHINGTON — Drawing a new election-year fault line between the parties, the Republican-controlled House voted today to repeal a Medicare cost-control board that has yet to be named but is called for in President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul law.

The GOP has branded the Independent Payment Advisory Board a rationing panel, and Republicans hope the symbolic 223-181 vote to repeal it will persuade seniors that they, and not the Democrats, are the best stewards of Medicare.

The board would have the power to force cuts to service providers like drug companies if Medicare costs rise beyond predetermined levels. A Republican Medicare plan announced this week would also limit Medicare cost increases, but rely more on market competition.

The health care law explicitly bars the board from rationing care, shifting costs to Medicare recipients or cutting their benefits. But critics say squeezing service providers will stifle medical innovation, achieving a similar result.

Many House Democrats also oppose the board, but for different reasons. They feel it diminishes the role of Congress in deciding Medicare policy.

But Republicans made it difficult to attract Democratic votes for repeal by adding other politically charged provisions to their bill.