Freedom Caucus, Trump reach ‘agreement in principle’ on … – The Hill – The Hill

House Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) said Wednesday night he and President Trump have come to an agreement in principle on a plan to repeal and replace ObamaCare, just one day before a highly anticipated House vote on the bill.

The president and I came to an agreement in principle, Meadows said during an interview with Fox Newss Sean Hannity, adding that he was still ironing out a few final details with the White House.

I think what we're trying to do now is make sure that our agreement is actually something that can be executed in a way that passes the Senate, he added. There's still work to be done, but I can tell you that the president is all engaged."

But those changes have now alienated some centrist Republicans, who met with Ryan and his leadership team for more than two hours Wednesday night to discuss the impact of moving the bill to the right.

After the meeting, one of the leaders of the centrist Tuesday Group, Rep. Charlie Dent (R-Pa.), announced he was opposed to the legislation, warning that the bill would cause too many Americans to lose insurance coverage.

I believe this bill, in its current form, will lead to the loss of coverage and make insurance unaffordable for too many Americans, Dent said in a statement, particularly for low-to-moderate income and older individuals.

Meadows said Trump has been the crucial factor in working toward a deal and even personally called him during a Freedom Caucus meeting Wednesday night.

A GOP source said the White House has offered to include repeal of the essential health benefits in the bill.

Our request has been consistent about Title I and essential health benefits and so that's really what we're discussing,Meadows said earlier in the day as he left a meeting with Freedom Caucus colleagues.

We're encouraged just based on the real willingness of not only the White House but our leadership to make this bill better, he added, noting he hopes to work around the clock to hopefully have a final deal by around noon Thursday.

Meadows has changed his comments markedly since earlier in the day Wednesday, when he pledged that leaders lacked the votes to pass the bill and called on them to start over.

Conservatives say repeal of the essential health benefits, which mandate what an insurance plan must cover, is necessary to bring down premiums. Republican leaders had been wary, though, given that it is in doubt whether repeal of those regulations would be allowed under Senate rules that are preventing a Democratic filibuster.

Sources said the House GOP has gotten new information that including repeal of the essential health benefits would not be fatal to the entire bill in the Senate, though the provision could still be challenged under Senate rules.

But Democrats are warning that repeal of the essential health benefits will not be permitted.

Some Freedom Caucus members are more skeptical a deal can happen.

Rep. Mo BrooksMo BrooksFreedom Caucus, Trump reach 'agreement in principle' on healthcare GOP faces risky decision on ObamaCare vote Defying Trump, Freedom Caucus insists it'll oppose GOP ObamaCare replacement MORE (R-Ala.) indicated that the White House is only offering repeal of the essential health benefits and not other insurance regulations that conservatives say must be repealed.

"Weve said many times that essential health benefits by themselves would not be enough, added Rep. Justin AmashJustin AmashHealthcare fight pits Trump against Club for Growth Freedom Caucus, Trump reach 'agreement in principle' on healthcare Defying Trump, Freedom Caucus insists it'll oppose GOP ObamaCare replacement MORE (R-Mich.).

"Theres no deal in the offing, Amash added. We dont have any language on anything. Were not sure what kind of language well see."

Earlier in the day Trump won over conservative Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) by pledging a Senate vote on an amendment to add repeal of essential health benefits.

But Meadows said that a promised Senate vote is not good enough and that changes must be made in the House.

There is no denying why he has made so many deals, Meadows said of Trump. I thought I was a good dealmaker; I'm nothing compared to the president.

Cristina Marcos and Max Greenwood contributed.

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