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House Republicans Demand Changes to Party’s Healthcare Plan

HeadlineMar 15, 2017

House Republicans are demanding changes to the Republican plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, after the Congressional Budget Office said the plan would lead 24 million people to lose their health insurance within 10 years. Some Republicans pulled their support following Monday’s report, including Florida Congressmember Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who tweeted, “As written the plan leaves too many from my district uninsured.” During a news briefing Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer conceded that millions would lose their health insurance under the plan as it is currently written. This is Spicer being questioned by CNN’s Jim Acosta.

Jim Acosta: “And so, getting back to the Congressional Budget Office score, would you concede that there will be some coverage losses, perhaps in the millions, that there will be millions of people who will not have health insurance as a result of what you’re doing?”

Press Secretary Sean Spicer: “Well, again, sure, except you have to look at the current situation. You are mandated by law to buy insurance right now under Obamacare.”

Demonstrations against the Republican effort to repeal and replace Obamacare continued Tuesday, as hundreds braved a blizzard to protest outside House Speaker Paul Ryan’s office in Racine, Wisconsin. Also on Tuesday, President Trump’s pick to run Medicare and Medicaid, Seema Verma, was sworn in by Vice President Mike Pence after she was confirmed by the Senate Monday. Verma’s health policy firm helped design Indiana’s Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act, during which time she worked closely with Vice President Mike Pence.

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