House Majority Whip Steve Scalise believes there’s a way to get skeptical conservative lawmakers on board with the GOP leadership’s healthcare bill.
Speaking on CNN Friday, Scalise said he’s speaking with all Republican lawmakers often about the American Health Care Act and thinks that with a few changes he can get it through the House.
“I’m talking to members today that are undecided, that are no and lean no and, frankly, there’s a path for most of them to get to yes,” he said.
Conservative lawmakers have been reluctant to jump on board the plan, and some fiscal hawks such as Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., are branding it as Obamacare-lite.
Rep. @SteveScalise on GOP health bill: It gets the federal government out of your healthcare decisions https://t.co/tTnFkZp5Np— New Day (@NewDay) March 17, 2017
However, Scalise thinks a lot of those concerns are overblown. Serious negotiations are underway, and Scalise pointed to President Trump’s willingness to talk with members as a reason he thinks the bill can pass the lower chamber.
“It’s a very good bill already and there’s some changes that have been brought forward already by our members that make it an even better bill,” he said.
He added, “We’re working with members in every faction in our conference who have good ideas.”
