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East County News Service
March 22, 2017 (San Diego) – To pass the Republican healthcare bill will require the support of all but 21 Republicans. So far, 27 have said they are leaning against it or opposed, putting passage in jeopardy. San Diego Republican Congressmen Duncan Hunter and Darrell Issa are both listed as supporters of the measure, according to NBC News.
President Trump met on Monday with some members who are waffling, reportedly threatening to support primary challengers against them if they won’t support the bill. That meeting had the opposite effect from its intent; three more Republicans announced afterwards that they will definitely vote against the bill. But at least one more Republican “no” vote is needed to assure the bill can’t pass. So, San Diego’s representatives could cast the deciding votes.
The measure would repeal the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, and replace it with an alternative that has been criticized by the American Medical Association and American Association of Retired Persons for raising rates on older and poorer Americans. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that 24 million Americans would lose healthcare coverage if it passes.
Besides opposition from all Democrats and some moderate Republicans for those reasons, the bill has also drawn opposition from some conservatives who contend it does not go far enough to eliminate subsidies, since it still includes tax credits for some wealthier individuals.
The Republican leadership has indicated it would add additional provisions aimed at lowering costs for older Americans over time, but that is not guaranteed in the bill.
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