House Republicans Pass Bill to Repeal and Replace ObamaCare

House Republicans Pass Bill to Repeal and Replace ObamaCare

The U.S. House has voted to repeal and replace former President Barack Obama‘s signature legislative achievement – Affordable Care Act also known as ObamaCare.

The House will now send the bill which seeks to make sweeping changes to the nation’s health care system, to Senate.

Trump said he is confident the bill will pass the Senate, calling Obamacare “essentially dead.”

“This is a great plan. I actually think it will get even better. This is a repeal and replace of Obamacare. Make no mistake about it,” Trump said at a celebratory White House appearance with House Republicans.

After a week of negotiations and lobbying from Trump and other Republican leaders, 217 Republican lawmakers voted for the new bill. The remaining 20 GOP lawmakers, as well as their democratic counterparts, opposed it.

Trump argued the health care process has unified the GOP. “We’ve developed a bond. This has really brought the Republican Party together. As far as I’m concerned, your premiums are going to come down,” Trump said.

Prior to casting the vote on the bill, House Speaker Paul Ryan described it as a “failing law.”

“Let’s give people more choices and more control over their care. Let’s return power from Washington to the states. A lot of us have been waiting seven years to cast this vote.” Ryan said.