In a setback for President Donald Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan, house Republican leaders postponed the vote to repeal and replace Obamacare, according to an Associated Press source.
Southwest Washington state Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler was among those who said she couldn't support her fellow congressional current bill.
In a statement Thursday she said she still wants to get rid of the current health care law, but "we can do better than the current House replacement plan." She said any replacement option should provide affordable, high-quality health care.
I remain steadfast in my commitment to repeal and replace Obamacare with health care solutions that better serve all...
Posted by Jaime Herrera Beutler on Thursday, March 23, 2017
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has slammed the GOP replacement plan, which officials say would cost the state $1.5 billion to keep coverage for about 600,000 residents who gained insurance through the Medicaid expansion that was a key part of Obama's health care law.
Don't know much about President Trump's health care bill? Here are the basics.
The bill would repeal and replace some of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare. It would shift the way millions of Americans fund their health care needs. It would also mean that millions would be left without the health care they gained under the ACA.
Here’s a look at the GOP's Affordable Health Care Act (AHCA).
What does the bill do?
According to Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, (R-Wisconsin), the AHCA will retain some of the features of the ACA – insurers would still be required to cover customers with pre-existing conditions, for instance – but would take a sharp turn on others.
>> Related: Pres. Trump tweets video to gain support for health care vote
The bill would eliminate the requirement that a person have health insurance. It would also give larger companies a break by saying they are no longer required to provide coverage for employees. It will allow insurers to charge older Americans higher health care premiums.
The bill keeps the ACA provision that allows children to stay on a parent’s plan until they turn 26, but it cuts the amount of tax credits that are in place for those buying insurance, and reduces Medicaid spending in the states. In addition, it provides fewer funds for subsidies.
According to the Congressional Budget Office, the new bill would reduce the deficit by $337 billion during the next 10 years, but cost 24 million Americans their coverage over the next decade.
Will's next?
House Republicans will hold a closed-door meeting on healthcare bill at 7 p.m. on Thursday,
Another bill could be introduced to either fully repeal the ACA, or to offer something like the bill, but with some modifications.
Stay with kiro7.com for updates.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
Cox Media Group
