Local lawmakers react to House healthcare vote

WASHINGTON (WDEF) — The Republican healthcare bill passed the House of Representatives Thursday by a vote of 217-213.

The bill now goes to the Senate.

Following the vote, Congressman Chuck Fleishmann (R-TN) released the following statement:

“For far too long Obamacare has hurt American families by not keeping its promises of lowering costs, while increasing patient choice.  That is why I voted in favor of the American Healthcare Act.  This bill will reduce premiums, stabilize the market, and ensure patient choice.  While there is more work ahead to rebuild our broken healthcare system, passing this legislation was a critical first step. I look forward to collaborating with my Senate colleagues to give the American people the healthcare they deserve.”

Georgia’s Representative Tom Graves (R-GA-14) also voted in favor of President Trump’s healthcare plan.

In a statement released after the vote, Rep. Graves said:

“The first bill I introduced after I was elected to Congress in 2010 was legislation to defund Obamacare. Over the last seven years we kept fighting, we never gave up, and now we’re finally passing a bill to repeal and replace Obamacare that will hit the desk of a president who will sign it. This is Phase 1 of the President Trump’s three phase healthcare plan. Taken together, the president’s plan will reduce health insurance premiums, increase access to care and put patients first. Importantly, the American Health Care Act continues to protect people with pre-existing conditions from price gouging, and they cannot be denied coverage. What’s new is that each state can take its own approach, as long as there are basic protections and clear benefits, such as increasing enrollment, offering more choices and lowering costs. A lot of work has gone into finding the right balance between lifting federal mandates and protecting Americans with serious health challenges, and I believe this is it.”

Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) chairs the Senate health committee. Regarding the passage of the Republican healthcare bill by the House, Senator Alexander said:

“I congratulate the House on passage of its bill. The Senate will now finish work on our bill, but will take the time to get it right. My own goals for a Senate bill include: 1) rescuing the thousands of Tennesseans and millions of Americans who will be trapped in collapsing  Affordable Care Act exchanges with few or even zero options for health insurance in 2018 unless Congress acts; 2) lowering premium costs, which have increased under the ACA law; 3) gradually giving states more flexibility on the Medicaid program, but doing this in a way that does not pull the rug out from under people who rely on Medicaid; and 4) making sure those with pre-existing conditions have access to insurance.”

Congressman Scott DesJarlais (TN-04) voted in favor of the bill. In a statement, he said:

“We’re helping President Trump to fulfill his promise to the American people, suffering under Obamacare. In Tennessee, my constituents have it especially bad. Health care costs are skyrocketing, and many have no choice of coverage at all. Allowing Obamacare to stand is not an option, and I’m glad we were able to strike the worst of its regulations from the first version of this legislation. Now it’s time for the Senate to do its work and help us deliver the President a bill to sign. Millions of people across the country have been waiting for relief since Obamacare took effect.”

Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Scott Golden released the following statement:

“Today, Republicans delivered on their unified promise to address America’s failing healthcare system. The passage of the AHCA in the House is the first legislative step to fix the broken system Democrats created with Obamacare. Tennesseans have seen an increase in premiums and costs all while seeing a decrease in choice and coverage. Currently, 73 of Tennessee’s 95 counties have only one option in the Obamacare exchange and in 2018, 16 Tennessee counties could be faced with no options at all. I congratulate the members of Tennessee’s congressional delegation that voted for a better healthcare system for the American people, and applaud President Trump and Vice-President Pence on today’s victory.”

Congressman Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (GA-01) released the following statement:

“I am thrilled the American Health Care Act was approved today. For the last seven years, I have watched the health care system that I worked in for more than thirty years crumble under its own weight. Thanks to Obamacare, premiums and health care costs have skyrocketed, choice has been eliminated, and the dire situation is only getting worse. At home in Georgia, 96 counties only have one insurer to choose from on the exchange. That isn’t a choice at all. With passage of the AHCA today, we are another step closer to delivering relief and a patient-centered health care system with the choice and control needed to empower patients. This bill guts Obamacare and I urge my colleagues in the Senate to act swiftly to let families and patients across America know that help is on the way. The AHCA will ensure patients are no longer forced to live under Washington’s one-size-fits-all health care mandates and taxes and it should be signed into law as soon as possible. I look forward to continuing our work to resuscitate our health care system. As I have always said, the AHCA is a strong first step, but I’m committed it’s not the last. The House has already passed additional legislation to lower health insurance costs and take the first step toward allowing the purchase of insurance across state lines and more action is coming. Today is a big win in the fight to repeal and replace Obamacare and it won’t be the last.”