"If Republican Senators are unable to pass what they are working on now, they should immediately REPEAL, and then REPLACE at a later date," tweeted Trump.
Trump's declaration -- which marks a political shift for him and could further imperil delicate negotiations on Capitol Hill -- came shortly after Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Nebraska, urged the President in a letter to repeal Obamacare now and replace later. The current Republican plan in Congress is to do both in one massive piece of legislation, though the Senate's bill has struggled to gain necessary GOP support.
Sasse quickly approved of Trump's tweet.
"Sounds great, Pres. @realDonaldTrump We are agreed. We need to break the logjam," he tweeted.
Trump's message Friday morning also marked a notable return to his efforts to push his agenda rather than distract from it, as he did on Thursday when he viciously and personally attacked MSNBC anchor Mika Brzezinski.
White House deputy press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Trump "hasn't changed his thinking at all" on health care as she fielded a question on Trump's tweet this morning on the health care reform efforts.
"We're still fully committed to pushing though with the Senate at this point, but we're looking at every possible option of repealing and replacing Obamacare. We are focused on doing that," Sanders said.
Sanders also said she did not know where Trump got the idea for that plan, noting that "people have been talking about this for quite some time."
"I don't know where specifically it may have come from," she said.
But Trump's tweet appears to mark a new public stance for him regarding health care.
"We're going to do it simultaneously," he said. "It'll be just fine. We're not going to have, like, a two-day period, and we're not going to have a two-year period where there's nothing. It will be repealed and replaced."
The President's tweet also could have the effect of further complicating health care negotiations. A GOP official close to leadership and supportive of the current repeal/replace effort told CNN: "Nothing like rolling a hand grenade into ongoing negotiations, eh?"
The concern, the official outlined, is that this now gives conservatives a reason to go back to their corner. While they were hardly at the breakthrough point, there's no question conservatives, particularly Sen. Ted Cruz, had been working in good faith to get to a deal.
Now the concern is conservatives can just say they wanted the 2015 repeal bill all along, and because the President clearly supports that plan, talks on a sweeping replacement plan can be scrapped.
A GOP Senate aide noted Trump's initial opposition to a straight repeal bill.
"We did this dance six months ago," the aide said. "We've litigated repeal, delay, replace. Thoroughly. The President spoke against it. This all might be more helpful if we weren't in the late stages of negotiations."
Appearing on CNN's "New Day" on Friday, Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Illinois, also rejected the President's suggestion.
"I think it's repeal and replace," he told CNN's Chris Cuomo. "We can argue whether they like the system we're bringing them in or not, but simply a repeal, even with the sunset the year or two down the road -- the problem (is) we know how Washington works."
He explained: "Sometimes on deadlines we still don't get things done. You can't leave the American people out like this. This is how sequester happened, because we thought we could fix the problem and never did."
Earlier this year, Hill Republican leaders floated the idea of repealing Obamacare and providing a transition period during which Congress would write a new law. But many Republicans opposed that idea, and along with Trump calling for passing both simultaneously, the party shifted tactics.
One reason behind that shift is repealing Obamacare without an immediate replacement plan would likely cause massive destabilization to an insurance market already unnerved by Washington's efforts to address health care. Many insurers are asking for another round of steep rate increases for 2018, and others aren't even willing to return to the exchanges at all.
The Affordable Care Act was troubled even before Trump took office, but the Republicans' quest to dismantle it has made things worse. Trump has caused confusion about whether he'll continue key components of the law. The two at the top of the list: the mandate that everyone have insurance and the cost-sharing subsidies for lower-income Americans.
Meanwhile, the future of the GOP health care efforts remains unclear. Senate Republican leaders scuttled plans for a vote on health care reform earlier this week as GOP leaders criticized the bill, but Trump was optimistic in his outlook Wednesday.
Trump declined to say what the surprise would be, but his optimism contrasted significantly with the nine Republican senators publicly expressing their opposition to the bill the President is championing.
The White House can only afford to lose two of the 52 Republicans in the Senate to pass the legislation.
CNN's Tami Luhby, Phil Mattingly, Lauren Fox, Manu Raju and Dylan Stafford contributed to this report.
Visit link:
Trump: If GOP health care bill fails, repeal Obamacare now ...
- How good is fish for your diet? [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- What foods have both fiber and protein? [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Is There Evidence That Acupuncture Works? [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- What are some good fiber foods? [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Can Green Tea fight HIV infection? [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Quality of GNC Supplements [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- The Gene Smart Diet [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Tips for eating in a vegetarian lifestyle [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Regarding the Starting of a new diet regimen [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Thoughts on Dropping Weight [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- What do doctors think about vitamin E supplements? [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- What herbs or supplements are commonly used for depression? [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Is there a safe way to lose a lot of weight? [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Diets that promise you will lose weight [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Are Fish Toxins Linked to Diabetes? [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Can Plastic Surgery Help Migraines? [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Weight Loss Surgery Eradicates Diabetes Symptoms [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Found: A Gene That Controls Fat Cells [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Sugars and Starches, what's the difference? [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Improving your health with a serving of nuts? [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Is Your Diet Causing You To Be Depressed? [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Placebo Effect: Magnetic Bracelet Therapy [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Does serotonin promote sleep? [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Decreased energy levels - Overeating, Sleep, Nutrition [Last Updated On: February 1st, 2010] [Originally Added On: February 1st, 2010]
- When will the body begin to cannibalize muscle tissue? [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2010] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2010]
- Foods that are high in antioxidants [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2010] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2010]
- Editorial: Reduce health care costs by cutting administrative overhead [Last Updated On: April 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 1st, 2012]
- Health Care Winners: Centene, Onyxx [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2012]
- Dan Morain: Nurses union puts politics ahead of health [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2012]
- What's next if Obamacare falls? [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2012]
- Global Managed Health Care Services Industry [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2012]
- Immigration Fight Echoes Health-Care Case at High Court [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2012]
- Medical Centers Lead Workplace Wellness Effort [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2012]
- The next health care overhaul? Look to employers [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2012]
- Capital BlueCross Hosts Community Health Care Forums Focused on Managing Costs While Maintaining Quality [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2012]
- County committee to look at area health care [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2012]
- President Obama Calls on Students to Tell Congress: #DontDoubleMyRate - Video [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2012]
- Sen. Coburn: Competition in Health Care to Allocate Resources - Video [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2012]
- Jesse Kelly health care - Video [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2012]
- PHC Vision Statement (short version) - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2012]
- The Bioeconomy Blueprint Panel - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2012]
- Providence Health Care's Vision Statement - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2012]
- Department of Health and Human Services: Minority Health Blogger Townhall - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2012]
- Health care worker accused of stealing identities of brain i - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2012]
- Health Care Reform, Part 1 of 3 | KYVE Insiders Roundtable - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2012]
- Health Care Reform: The ACA and Beyond - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2012]
- Is Broccoli Like Health Insurance? - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2012]
- Did Obama make a mistake on health care? - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2012]
- How Democrats Lie About Health Care - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2012]
- Toobin on Health Care: This was a "judicial hissy-fit" - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2012]
- President Obama says health care law will stand - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2012]
- Obama Defends Health Care Law From 'Judicial Activism' - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2012]
- Obama Healthcare Individual Mandate - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2012]
- President Obama attacks Supreme Court on health care - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2012]
- Raw Audio: High Court Dissects Health Care Act - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2012]
- Health care on trial - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2012]
- Final Day of Health Care Law Arguments Before Supreme Court - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2012]
- Feds to put up $1.9B for Oregon health overhaul [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2012]
- Scuttling health care act will freeze Medicare, White House warns [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2012]
- U.S. Health Care Spending High, But Quality Lags: Report [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2012]
- Yes, the Health-Care Mandate Is About Liberty [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2012]
- Health center gets $1M federal grant [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2012]
- Health-care reform panel considers exchange options for Va. [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2012]
- Hmong health care gap focus of Healthy House dinner [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2012]
- Walsh-led health bill to be unveiled [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2012]
- Ontario health system confusing for ailing seniors, study finds [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2012]
- 'Health Care Deserts' More Common in Black Neighborhoods [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2012]
- With federal money, Oregon kicks health care reform into high gear [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2012]
- Nurse practitioners tackling more 'doctor' tasks [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2012]
- Konza Prairie Health Center Receives $4.5 Million Grant [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2012]
- Alberta wages hurting Sask. health care [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2012]
- House releases plan to cut growth of Massachusetts health spending in half [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2012]
- Mass. House Will Unveil Bill Seeking To Rein In Health Costs [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2012]
- President Obama Welcomes the Kentucky Wildcats - Video [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2012]
- President Obama Speaks on College Affordability - Video [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2012]
- My First Job: Gene Sperling - Video [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2012]
- Health-care costs worry near-retirees [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2012]
- Massachusetts Institutes Health-Care Price Controls. Is America Next? [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2012]
- Massachusetts Moves Toward Health-Care Price Controls. Is America Next? [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2012]
- GOP plan boosts Pentagon, cuts social programs [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2012]