Republicans don’t agree on how to replace the ACA? Sad!
Last night, the President said once again that Republicans would repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.
But with what exactly? He didn’t say.
That’s because the GOP continues to be deeply divided over how to replace the Affordable Care Act and prevent millions of Americans from losing coverage or seeing costs skyrocket. Here’s a look at how their dysfunction is playing out in the headlines:
Politico: Republicans near make-or-break moment on Obamacare repeal
“Republicans are having a break-the-glass moment on Obamacare. After promising for years to upend the Democratic health care law the first chance they got — and with plans to hold a vote to repeal by early April — the party remains far from consensus. So far, in fact, that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has called a special all-members caucus meeting Wednesday to try and get his rowdy caucus in line.”
From The Hill: Conservatives rebuff Ryan’s claims of GOP unity on ObamaCare
“‘From the perspective of ‘everybody is on the same plan’ ... that's obviously not accurate’ Meadows said Tuesday during a call with reporters, asked about Ryan's earlier comments.”
“Meadows and Paul said they have the votes to block anything less than a ‘full repeal’ and force leadership to listen to them. The conservative faction is pushing leadership to pass a straight repeal of the ACA, without any replacement items.”
“Ryan on Tuesday said the party will be unified behind a single Affordable Care Act repeal and replace plan, and downplayed any Republican divisions over the strategy.”
The Hill: GOP leader: Leaked ObamaCare replacement 'no longer' viable
“A day after House conservatives panned a leaked GOP draft ObamaCare replacement plan, a top Republican leader on Tuesday described the proposed legislation as ‘no longer even a viable draft that we’re working off of.’”
“Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.), the No. 3 House Republican and chief vote-counter, told reporters he had just spoken to Republican Study Committee Chairman Mark Walker (R-N.C.), who issued a statement Monday saying he could not vote for the leaked draft or recommend his 170 members support it because of its use of refundable tax credits.”
“Another influential conservative leader, Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), came out against the draft plan earlier in the day.”
Associated Press: Pressure on GOP to revamp health law grows, along with rifts
“In a fresh blow,a leading House conservative said late Monday that he was opposing a preliminary version of GOP legislation that emerged last week. Rep. Mark Walker, R-N.C., objected that the draft would not immediately end the expansion of Medicaid under Obama's health care overhaul and would create new tax credits to be paid to people, even if they owed little or no federal taxes.”
“House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas, said Republicans have made numerous changes to that draft, but Walker's objections underscored internal tensions over the effort.”
Roll Call: Top Conservatives Oppose GOP Health Care Plan, Muddying Path to Needed Votes
“The top two House conservatives on Monday said they cannot vote for their conference’s health care repeal and partial replacement plan in its current form, meaning House GOP leaders have some work to do before they can offer a bill that will get the 218 votes needed to pass the House.”
“Republican Study Committee Chairman Mark Walker and House Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows both cited concerns over the plan’s refundable tax credits, saying it amounts to the creation of a new entitlement program.”
“Meadows said Republicans are still a long way from reaching consensus but hopes they can get to one in time for a floor vote before the end of March. That’s already later than originally planned, he noted, saying that if the timeline slips further, he expects Republican constituents to start getting restless.”
Bloomberg: GOP Obamacare Plan Suffers Blow With Republican's Rejection
“The leader of the largest group of House conservatives said Monday he couldn’t support the party’s existing Obamacare replacement strategy… But the comments from Walker are a potentially serious blow for the plan by Republican leaders to push through a bill in the coming weeks to repeal and replace the polarizing health-care law. Several conservatives have already voiced concerns about the strategy not going far enough to dismantle Obamacare, while other Republicans have been battered by constituents in town halls over the likelihood that the GOP’s replacement would insure fewer Americans.”