Voices of internal opposition: These Republicans could tank the GOP Obamacare repeal-and-replace bill – Los Angeles Times

Republicans hold a majority in Congress, but are now at odds over how to fulfill one of their biggest campaign promises: repealing and replacing Obamacare.

Conservatives from the small-government wing are leading the opposition, but concerns are also coming from more moderate Republicans worried about healthcare disruptions for those now covered by the Affordable Care Act.

The GOP can lose no more than about 20 votes in the House and two in the Senate to pass the bill, assuming all Democrats vote against it. But already many Republicans are voicing reservations.

Here are some of the GOP lawmakers who could determine the fate of the repeal-and-replace bill.

Meadows is the chairman of the conservative Freedom Caucus. Like many small-government proponents, he does not think the GOP bill goes far enough in dismantling Obamacare, particularly its insurance mandates, federal subsidies for low- and moderate-income people and expansion of Medicaid. With about 30 members, the secretive caucus has enough votes to stop the bill.

Jordan has been one of the most outspoken voices opposing Obamacare. As a founding member of the Freedom Caucus, he also favors repealing Obamacare entirely, and reintroduced a 2015 bill with Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) to do just that. Then he wants to start from scratch on a replacement plan. He and other deficit hawks are particularly opposed to the new tax credits created in the GOP plan.

Brats concern is that the president is being sold a little bit of spin on repeal, and worries that elements of Obamacare remain. He says the GOP bill swaps one federal subsidy system for another and retains insurance rules that will not lower costs. It will not go well for the next eight years.

Labrador is among those taking his concerns to the White House, believing hell have a better audience with the administration than House leadership. Trump has generally endorsed the GOP plan, but he has also characterized it as a starting point for negotiations. Fiscal conservatives such as Labrador sense an opening.

Cotton, a newer but increasingly vocal senator, urged his House colleagues to abandon the arbitrary deadline they have set for themselves or risk appearing to repeal Obamacare in the same aggressive, partisan manner it was approved by Democrats. He said lawmakers should await the cost analysis by the Congressional Budget Office.

Paul is leading the Senate opposition, working closely with House conservatives. An ophthalmologist, he opposes federal subsidies to buy insurance and has offered his own replacement bill. Lets vote on all the replacement plans and see what happens.

Lee joined Paul in early opposition to the House plan, and has been particularly critical of GOP leaders for engaging in the type of back-room dealing that produced the bill and is now pushing it to a vote. Quieter than many colleagues, he is among the most conservative in the Senate, making him influential in and out of Washington.

Cruz is emerging as a possible deal-maker, shuttling back and forth between House and Senate conservatives and dinner with Trump at the White House. He opposes the House bill, but wants to address Freedom Caucus concerns and make sure Republicans dont miss this opportunity to get a bill to the presidents desk.

Collins is among the more moderate Republicans, but represents a growing flank of GOP senators concerned that patients will lose healthcare options, particularly with the House GOPs elimination of Planned Parenthood funds. Why should those women have to change doctors? she told Katie Couric at Yahoo News. That doesnt make sense.

Portman is among a group of four GOP senators who raised early concerns about reducing federal funds for states that expanded Medicaid under Obamacare. After a meeting this week with Vice President Mike Pence, he appeared no closer to supporting the GOP bill. We all share the goal of repealing and replacing Obamacare with a better plan, he said. I will continue to work with the administration and my colleagues to address these concerns.

lisa.mascaro@latimes.com

Twitter: @LisaMascaro

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Voices of internal opposition: These Republicans could tank the GOP Obamacare repeal-and-replace bill - Los Angeles Times