The largest group of House conservatives has drawn some lines in the sand for changes they want to the Republican leadership’s Obamacare replacement bill.
The Republican Study Committee, comprised of more than 150 conservative members, is backing two amendments to the measure that would more quickly rescind extra federal funding for Medicaid expansion and extend work requirements for adult enrollees who don’t have children.
The group’s stance may signify the ways Republican leadership would have to change the bill to gain enough House votes. If they lose enough conservatives, who are complaining the measure doesn’t pull back hard enough on Obamacare, their effort will be seriously jeopordized.
RSC Chairman Rep. Mark Walker said the House Energy and Commerce Committee should adopt the amendments to move the bill “in the right direction.” The committee is holding a hearing to mark up the bill, which began Wednesday morning and continued overnight Thursday and into the morning.
“The RSC remains committed to improving this bill and getting it right for the American people,” the North Carolina lawmaker said. “While I continue to have concerns about this bill, the adoption of these amendments would be a critical step in the right direction.”
President Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price have been holding meetings with House conservatives over the last few days in an effort to bring them on board.
Amending the bill to roll back Medicaid expansion more quickly and institute work requirements could help that effort. The amendments are offered by Reps. Joe Barton of Texas, Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee and Morgan Griffith of Virginia. The American Health Care Act would keep the Medicaid expansion until 2020.
