GOP Senator Says He Can’t Support House O’Care Repeal Bill As It Stands

Chairman Rob Portman of Ohio, listens during a hearing of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations to review billing and customer service practices in the cable and satellite television industry, on Capitol Hill, Thursday, June 23, 2016 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
FILE - In this June 23, 2016 file photo, Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio listens during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. A key question looms for vulnerable Republican senators this election season: If Donald Trump ... FILE - In this June 23, 2016 file photo, Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio listens during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. A key question looms for vulnerable Republican senators this election season: If Donald Trump loses and loses big, can they still survive? Trump’s declining standing in the polls has GOP Senate candidates preparing for the worst 11 weeks before Election Day, and they’re maneuvering now to put as big a margin as they can between themselves and the top of the ticket. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) MORE LESS
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Shortly after House Republicans passed their revised bill to repeal and replace Obamacare on Thursday afternoon, Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) said that the legislation would need major changes before he could pledge his support.

His statement goes to show that while the repeal bill passed the House with a razor-thin margin, it faces an uphill battle in the Senate.

“Congress must take responsible action that lowers health care costs, but these changes must be made in a way that does not leave people behind,” he said in a statement.

The Republican senator cited concerns that his constituents would lose their Medicaid coverage under the American Health Care Act.

“I’ve already made clear that I don’t support the House bill as currently constructed because I continue to have concerns that this bill does not do enough to protect Ohio’s Medicaid expansion population, especially those who are receiving treatment for heroin and prescription drug abuse,” the statement continued. “We have an opioid crisis in this country, and I’m going to continue to work with my colleagues on solutions that ensure that those who are impacted by this epidemic can continue to receive treatment.”

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Notable Replies

  1. Don’t worry Rob, Lindsey Girl and John McCranky will reliably and repeatedly pivot with you, the changing GOP winds, and the hot air emanating from the Oval Trailer…

    GOP moderates cave so much they could teach courses in spelunking.

    .

  2. “Can’t support” until GOPers learn how to gerrymander entire states.

  3. My net worth hover around $400k. I worked for every cent of it. None of it is in real estate.

    I wish I was rich enough to have the luxury of voting Republican. I still wouldn’t, but I wish I had that sweet " rich enough to vote Republican" money

  4. Oh, a meaningless little tweak here and there and he’ll find a way to support it.

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