House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi extended an offer to work with Republicans on healthcare Friday, less than one day after GOP efforts to repeal and replace ObamaCare failed in the Senate, The Hill reports.
“Democrats extend the hand of friendship, and look forward to our working together in the regular order for the good of the American people,” Pelosi said in a statement.
The House Democratic leader said some of what Democrats heard during town halls, hearings and forums was consistent with the market stabilization section of the Senate GOP’s “Better Care and Reconciliation Act” (BCRA), including short and long term stability funds and cost sharing subsidies.
“House Democrats are prepared to support these vital measures and exchange ideas on how we go forward in other respects,” she said, adding it is “essential” for President Donald Trump to ensure that cost saving reduction payments will continue.
Pelosi’s offer comes after 48 Senate Democrats and three Senate Republicans effectively killed the GOP effort led by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to repeal and replace ObamaCare.
Senator John McCain, who flew back to Washington amid brain cancer treatment for the healthcare debate, shocked the chamber when he voted against the legislation late Thursday night, after being lobbied by McConnell, Trump, and Vice President Pence.
Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins also broke with their party in voting against the bill, a revised version of the ObamaCare repeal legislation previously passed by the House.
“I regret that our efforts were simply not enough this time. Now, I imagine many of our colleagues on the other side are celebrating. Probably pretty happy about all this. But the American people are hurting, and they need relief,” McConnell said after his defeat.
“Now I think it’s appropriate to ask, what are their ideas? It’ll be interesting to see what they suggest as the way forward,” he continued. Pelosi and the Democrats appear to have answered the call.
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