California Democrats cheered a last-minute decision by House Republicans Friday to cancel on a vote on legislation that would repeal and replaced Obamacare.
“This is a testament to the millions of Americans who stood up and spoke out to reject the idea that health care is a privilege and not a right,” said Sen. Kamala Harris.
Despite years of criticism of President Obama’s signature Affordable Care Act, and intensive lobbying by President Trump, Republicans were unable to muster the votes to pass their American Health Care Act. Moderate Republicans felt it cut healthcare benefits too much, Tea Party conservatives too little.
Earlier on Friday, Trump tweeted to lawmakers, “After seven horrible years of ObamaCare (skyrocketing premiums & deductibles, bad healthcare), this is finally your chance for a great plan!”
Rep. Scott Peters, who has called for a bi-partisan approach to healthcare, tweeted, “When you’re ready to work together on improving health care for all, we’ll be here.”
Rep. Juan Vargas, who represents south San Diego County, said in a statement that the Republican legislation would have been “disastrous” for millions of people.
“This looks like it could be the beginning of the end of the Trump agenda,” said Vargas. “The Deal-Maker-in-Chief wasn’t able to deliver on one of his key promises.”
The Republican legislation would have ended the requirement that all Americans purchase health insurance, and replace subsidies with tax credits.
Republican Rep. Darrell Issa, who represents north coastal San Diego County, promised to try again to repeal Obamacare.
“The AHCA was an imperfect approach and I believe that we can do better,” he said. “We will go back to the drawing board and get this right for each and every American concerned with high costs in their health care and ever-dwindling choices and access to care.”