WASHINGTON – The home Freedom Caucus has signed off on the new edition from the GOP health care insurance option, reviving the chances for ObamaCare's repeal and replacement.
The leaders of the staunch conservative group and also the moderate Tuesday Group had spent the Easter recess working on an agreement amendment, authored by Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-NJ).
“While the revised version still does not fully repeal ObamaCare, we are prepared to support it to help keep our promise to the United states citizens to reduce health care costs,” Freedom Caucus chairman Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) said inside a statement. “We look forward to dealing with our Senate colleagues to improve the bill. Our work will continue until we fully repeal ObamaCare.”
The amendment would allow states to opt-out of certain ObamaCare protections conservatives believe drive up premium costs.
House Republicans pulled a vote for ObamaCare repeal and replacement recently after failing to rally enough support from Freedom Caucus and moderate members.
The Freedom Caucus’ official endorsement means 80 % of its members have backed the plan.
It's unclear whether the revised legislation presently has enough votes for passage. If successful in the House, the bill would want a revision in the Senate to earn enough votes from members concerned about protecting Medicaid recipients.
