A top centrist Republican says a vote on Obamacare repeal could come as early as next week, even though more Republicans came out against repeal during Congress’ Easter recess.
Rep. Tom MacArthur, R-N.J., a co-chairman of the centrist Tuesday Group, said in multiple published reports that he thinks a deal on Republicans’ Obamacare repeal plan isn’t dead and that a vote on a compromise could come soon. However, other centrists have become more entrenched against the compromise, which would let states opt out of some Obamacare insurance mandates.
MacArthur said late Tuesday that he spoke with Vice President Mike Pence, who has been leading efforts on the compromise, and House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., over the weekend and the legislation is moving, according to a report in NJ.com.
But MacArthur’s remarks come as Republicans lost another vote on the American Health Care Act, which guts Obamacare and partially replaces it. The bill was pulled from the House floor abruptly last month because it didn’t have enough votes.
Rep. Jeff Denham, R-Calif., told constituents that he couldn’t vote for the bill or any bill that lessened protections for patients with pre-existing conditions such as cancer.
Other lawmakers have made similar statements, including centrists Reps. Leonard Lance, R-N.J., and Greg Walden, R-Ore.
MacArthur is in talks with the White House, GOP leadership and conservative House Freedom Caucus on the compromise, which would let states opt out of certain insurance regulations.
What those regulations are is the point of debate.
The Freedom Caucus wants states to be able to opt out of the requirement that insurers cover 10 essential health benefits and a price control called “community rating,” which prevents insurers from charging sicker people more than healthy individuals.
Centrists have been worried about any elimination of the community rating, as it helps ensure that people with pre-existing conditions don’t have to pay high rates for insurance. The Freedom Caucus believes that the rating and the essential health benefit mandates lead to higher premiums for everyone.
MacArthur isn’t the only one who is confident of a repeal vote happening soon.
Rep. David Brat, R-Va., told the Washington Examiner this week that he thinks House Republicans have enough votes to pass the repeal.
“My best guess is that they are gonna want everybody to get back to D.C. for a few days, do a head count and I would be shocked if there is not a yes vote there,” he said.
