U.S. House Republicans were moving ahead on Friday with legislation aimed at dismantling Obamacare, despite concerns about not having a replacement for the healthcare program and the potential financial costs in repealing President Barack Obama’s landmark law.
Moderate Republican Representative Charlie Dent said he had reservations about voting for the effort to start a repeal but would not say whether he would vote for or against it.
READ MORE: Republicans’ assault on Obamacare: What you need to know
Dent and other House Republicans on Friday speculated there was enough support within their party to pass the measure instructing committees to begin writing legislation to repeal Obamacare, known formally as the Affordable Care Act.
The Republican-led Congress, under pressure from President-elect Donald Trump to act quickly, made the first move toward scrapping the law on Thursday when the Senate voted to instruct key committees to draft legislation by Jan. 27 to repeal it.
The House has set a vote on the measure for Friday afternoon with Democrats expected to oppose it.
-
![]()
Trumps says Obamacare is ‘destabilizing’ health care in America -
![]()
Donald Trump names Obamacare critic as head of his healthcare team -
![]()
Obama warns Trump may find reality of repealing Obamacare difficult -
![]()
Trump says he’ll keep parts of ‘Obamacare’ in 60 minutes interview -
![]()
White House press secretary discusses Trump’s comments on incarcerating Clinton, dismantling Obamacare
Trump applauded the swift efforts with a Friday morning tweet saying, “The ‘Unaffordable’ Care Act will soon be history!” The president-elect, who takes office on Jan. 20, pressed lawmakers this week to repeal and replace it “essentially simultaneously.”
Some Republicans have expressed concern about starting a repeal before there is clarity about how to replace provisions of the complicated and far-reaching law.
The nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget has said repealing President Barack Obama’s signature health insurance law entirely would cost roughly $350 billion over 10 years.
Conservative Representative Trent Franks of Arizona dismissed concerns about adding billions of dollars to U.S. deficits. But Franks, who opposes abortion, said he would vote for the repeal measure because it also aims to stop all federal funding for Planned Parenthood, a women’s healthcare provider that uses some of its private funding for abortions.
READ MORE: Mike Pence says Donald Trump will dismantle Obamacare but Republicans must avoid hurting consumers
Democrats, who have vowed to fight the repeal effort, have accused Republicans of rushing to scrap a law that has enabled up to 20 million previously uninsured Americans obtain health coverage, without offering a firm replacement plan.
Republicans, who have challenged Obamacare since it was enacted in 2010, say a good replacement would give states more control of a healthcare program.
Reporting by Richard Cowan and Susan Cornwell; Additional reporting by Susan Heavey and Lisa Lambert; Editing by Bill Trott
- Alberta to overhaul municipal rules to include sweeping new powers, municipal political parties
- Norad looking to NATO to help detect threats over the Arctic, chief says
- Grocery code: How Ottawa has tried to get Loblaw, Walmart on board
- Military judges don’t have divided loyalties, Canada’s top court rules
Comments