President Trump talks about Senate health care bill

Taras Dubenets
By Taras Dubenets
June 22, 2017US News
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President Trump talks about Senate health care bill

President Donald Trump, who has been relatively quiet on the new Senate health care bill compared to his vocal support for the previous reform bill introduced in the House, voiced hope on Thursday, June 22, that the new bill could pass.

“I would love to have some Democrat support, but they are obstructionist, they will never support. We will not get one, no matter how good it is, but we will hopefully, we will get something done and it will be something with heart, and very meaningful,” said Trump during a White House event on technology.

A statement and video on the White House website was more specific.

“‘Obamacare’ has led to higher costs and fewer health insurance options for millions of Americans. The 2010 health care law has brought the American people rising premiums, unaffordable deductibles, fewer insurance choices, and higher taxes,” reads the statement.

But while Trump pointed to Democrats as a potential obstacle, it is Senate Republicans that are the more immediate worry.

Already four Republicans have said they cannot support the bill in its current form because it does not go far enough repealing “Obamacare” provisions.

The bill can only afford to lose two Republican votes and still pass the Senate with Vice President Mike Pence’s tie-breaking vote.

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul has said he will oppose the bill coming to the floor in its current form but is open to negotiations.

“The current #healthcarebill does not repeal Obamacare. It does not keep our promises to the American people,” he tweeted Thursday.

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz has also said he will oppose the bill for not doing enough to lower premiums.

“I want to get to yes, but this first draft doesn’t get the job done,” he wrote in a detailed explanation of his concerns on his Facebook page.

Senators Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Mike Lee of Utah have also said they will not support the bill.

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