Update: After failing to obtain enough votes for a new healthcare bill just six weeks earlier, House Republicans today were able to pass a revised healthcare bill with a vote of 217 to 213. The passing of the bill is being heralded as a major victory for the Trump administration, but it likely has a rough road ahead in the Senate.
House Republicans leaders could vote Thursday on a controversial plan that is meant to revise key parts of the Affordable Care Act.
Exiting the relatively brief leadership meeting on Wednesday, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) told reporters: “Do we have the votes? Yes. Will we pass it? Yes,” he said.
If the bill passes, it will then go to the Senate, where there is still division about how to handle healthcare.
In the revised bill, Rep. Fred Upton, a Republican from Michigan, introduced an amendment that would provide more financial help to people with preexisting medical conditions. Under the original GOP plan, those people were at risk of losing help, which those people received under ACA.
Upton said Trump called him this week and the two had a “good give and take.” They eventually agreed on Upton’s amendment, he said.
Democrats, however, have said they aren’t swayed by the new changes.
“Trumpcare means heart-stopping premium increases for people with preexisting conditions, and no Band-Aid amendment will fix it,” said House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).
While swing districts are telling reporters they are willing to keep reworking the plan.
“If House Leadership will work to tighten protections for those with preexisting conditions, I’m a yes on sending this bill to the Senate for further consideration,” said Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Collman), who represents a swing districts in Denver. “If not, I’m a no, and we’ll go back to the drawing board.”
If the House doesn’t vote today, they are scheduled to go on recess until May 16.
Photo courtesy: Thinkstockphotos.com
Publication date: May 4, 2017
