Members of the House Ways and Means committee met for 18-hours in order to push the GOP American Health Care Plan over the first hurdle.
Democrats turned what republicans had hoped would be fast-track to the floor into a marathon session in the Ways and Means committee and debate is still continuing in the House Energy and Commerce committee.
In both sessions, republicans argued that the bill would lower premiums, decrease health care costs and increase access for Americans of all income levels while reminding members that Obamacare is in a “death spiral” with 1/3rd of American counties having only one choice for insurance and several have no plans to choose from.
The American Medical Association and American Hospital Association have come out against the bill concerned that entitlements may be decreased or that payments to providers might be reduced.
“We would love to have every group on board,” said White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, adding, “This isn’t about figuring out how many special interests in Washington we can get paid off. It’s about making sure that patients get the best deal, that lowers prices and brings back cost.”
At 4:30 am this morning the Way and Means committee passed the measure out of committee by a 23-16 vote.
The Energy and Commerce session hasn’t progressed past the first democratic party amendment which is nothing more than an obstacle as it only seeks to change the name of the bill.
In order to slow republican progress on the bill, Democrats have promised more than 100 amendments that are mostly obstructionist and unlikely to pass.
