ACA replacement plan advances without changes after marathon hearing
It took until the wee hours of the morning, but Republicans advanced part of their replacement legislation for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) without making any changes to the original bill in the House Ways and Means Committee.
It wasn’t for a lack of trying on the Democratic side. As POLITICO reports, Democrats on the panel offered amendments ranging from changing the name of the bill from the American Health Care Act to the “Republican Pay More for Less Care Act” to requiring the sitting president publicly release his tax returns.
All of the amendments failed, with the bill advancing on a party-line vote just after 4 a.m., almost 18 hours after the hearing had begun.
“I really do believe that we need to take action tonight so that we are rescuing folks who have been burdened and hurt,” said Rep. Kenny Marchant, R-Texas. “[The ACA] has hurt more folks than it has helped.”
For more on the debate over the bill, including how the longer, separate hearing in the House Energy and Commerce Committee went, read the full article below:
John joined TriMed in 2016, focusing on healthcare policy and regulation. After graduating from Columbia College Chicago, he worked at FM News Chicago and Rivet News Radio, and worked on the state government and politics beat for the Illinois Radio Network. Outside of work, you may find him adding to his never-ending graphic novel collection.