› What lawmakers are saying,

“I congratulate the House on passage of its bill. The Senate will now finish work on our bill, but will take the time to get it right. My own goals for a Senate bill include: 1) rescuing the thousands of Tennesseans and millions of Americans who will be trapped in collapsing Affordable Care Act exchanges with few or even zero options for health insurance in 2018 unless Congress acts; 2) lowering premium costs, which have increased under the ACA law; 3) gradually giving states more flexibility on the Medicaid program, but doing this in a way that does not pull the rug out from under people who rely on Medicaid; and 4) making sure those with pre-existing conditions have access to insurance.” — Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn. “For far too long Obamacare has hurt American families by not keeping its promises of lowering costs, while increasing patient choice. That is why I voted in favor of the American Healthcare Act. This bill will reduce premiums, stabilize the market, and ensure patient choice. While there is more work ahead to rebuild our broken healthcare system, passing this legislation was a critical first step. I look forward to collaborating with my Senate colleagues to give the American people the healthcare they deserve.” — Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn. “We’re helping President Trump to fulfill his promise to the American people, suffering under Obamacare. In Tennessee, my constituents have it especially bad. Health care costs are skyrocketing, and many have no choice of coverage at all. Allowing Obamacare to stand is not an option, and I’m glad we were able to strike the worst of its regulations from the first version of this legislation. Now it’s time for the Senate to do its work and help us deliver the President a bill to sign.” — Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Tenn. “I voted against Trumpcare today because it is harmful to the average American and will result in people dying because they don’t have access to quality, affordable health insurance. … Trumpcare is a wealth care bill, not a health care bill. It puts politics over improving our health care system. This bill is an excuse to give the wealthiest Americans huge tax breaks and proceed towards more tax cuts for the rich in the future. It should be called the ‘Ebenezer Scrooge Act’ because it enriches the wealthiest individuals and harms the less fortunate both fiscally and physically.” — Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn. “The first bill I introduced after I was elected to Congress in 2010 was legislation to defund Obamacare. Over the last seven years, we kept fighting, we never gave up, and now we’re finally passing a bill to repeal and replace Obamacare that will hit the desk of a president who will sign it. This is Phase 1 of the President Trump’s three phase healthcare plan. Taken together, the president’s plan will reduce health insurance premiums, increase access to care and put patients first.” — Rep. Tom Graves, R-Ga.