Trump clears his first hurdle to repeal Obamacare
UNITED STATES: House Republicans voted to repeal large portions of Obamacare yesterday, a major step towards consigning the former president’s signature domestic policy to history.
Seven years after Barack Obama hailed the landmark healthcare bill, formally known as the Affordable Care Act, a Republican bill to overturn it narrowly passed in the House, paving the way for ‘‘Trumpcare’’.
The bill needed 216 votes to pass, and won 217 to 213. It will now move on to the Senate where its passage is much less certain.
Trump hailed the decision in the House as a ‘‘wonderful vote’’. It was his first major legislative victory since taking office after a previous attempt failed in March. He said: ‘‘insurance companies are fleeing Obamacare – it is dead. Our healthcare plan will lower premiums and deductibles, and be great healthcare!’’
After his earlier failure, Trump was instrumental in changing the minds of several members of Congress with personal calls and meetings.
Repeal of Obamacare became a rallying cry for Trump and the Republican Party during last year’s election as they declared it an example of government overreach.
The replacement bill, officially known as the American Health Care Act, will still face a struggle to pass the Senate, where Republicans hold a narrower majority of 52 seats in the 100-seat chamber.
Republican Senator Bob Corker said: ‘‘My guess is we’re going to spend at least a month looking at the issue, making sure that it passes the test of time.’’
About 20 million Americans gained healthcare coverage under the 2010 Affordable Care Act.
The American Health Care Act would repeal most Obamacare taxes, including a financial penalty for people who refuse to buy health insurance, and it would slash funding for Medicaid, which provides insurance for the poor.
Moderate Republicans had wavered over concerns that the replacement legislation would undo a popular aspect of Obamacare requiring insurance companies to cover people with pre-existing conditions.
They met Trump and proposed a compromise which involved adding US$8 billion (NZ$11.6b) funding over five years to help cover costs for those people.
Nancy Pelosi, the Democrat leader in the House, said: ‘‘Trumpcare will take away health coverage from 24 million hard working people. Trumpcare means soaring premiums.
‘‘It’s frightening for families who need care the most. You’re voting to take away their healthcare.’’ – Telegraph Group
"It's frightening for families who need care the most. You're voting to take away their healthcare."