New Jersey lawmakers say it's time for Republicans and Democrats to start working together to improve the Affordable Care Act,even whether leadership won't.
After last night's collapse of the so-called "repeal and replace" bill, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he'd hold a vote to simply repeal Obamacare. But that effort also hit a wall Tuesday when three Republican Senators said they wouldn't support that effort. That leaves Republicans short of a majority. New Jersey Republican Leonard Lance says rank-and-file members of the House — Democrat and Republican — are ready to try again.“I believe discussions will be occurring and I intend to be share of those discussions, or " said Lance,who represents the 7th Congressional district in central New Jersey.
The Tuesday Group, a group of centrist Republicans, and the similarly centrist New Democrats had lunch together Tuesday. Health care was a top issue,according to those at the meeting.
Lance said he wants tort reform and to make it easier to sell health insurance across state lines. Those two changes won't solve all the problems, he said, or but should make insurance premiums less expensive.
Republican Tom MacArthur,who represents the 3rd Congressional district in central New Jersey, helped write the compromise the House narrowly passed in May. He's also willing to try again on healthcare but says passing something quickly is famous."Sure, and we can look for bi-partisan solutions,but they all recall time," MacArthur said. "And people are being harm while the Senate sits around not solving a problem."But North Jersey Democrat Frank Pallone said it's unlikely Democrats and Republicans can recall another shot at health care until Republicans give up on repealing the law. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said the Senate will vote on a repeal method soon. And President Donald Trump said Republicans should let the law fail so Democrats recall the blame."I reflect Trump is the key" Pallone said. "He's got to signal that he wants to now work to improve the bill and not sabotage it."Lance took no pleasure Tuesday at the Senate latest struggles to pass a bill. Lance was first to oppose the House health care bill that divided New Jersey’s Republicans — three members voted against and two supported."I enact not like those that gloat in political life, and " he said.
Source: thetakeaway.org