Pence ‘cautiously optimistic’ about ObamaCare repeal
Vice President Pence said late Friday that he’s “cautiously optimistic” about GOP efforts to repeal and replace ObamaCare.
Pence made the comments during an appearance on Fox News’s “Hannity” in pushing back against Senate Republicans who have recently voiced skepticism about repeal efforts.
“I’m cautiously optimistic that come the end of this year, we’re going to deliver on repealing and replacing ObamaCare; we’re going to pass tax cuts and you’re going to see an economy roaring and continue to grow under a president who is fighting every day for the forgotten men and women of America,” Pence said.
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Several GOP senators have voiced skepticism about passing a repeal of the Affordable Care Act after House Republicans passed their healthcare repeal bill early last month.
“It’s unlikely that we will get a healthcare deal,” Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) said in an interview with a North Carolina news station this week. “I don’t see a comprehensive healthcare plan this year.”
Iowa GOP Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst also expressed skepticism about healthcare reform efforts.
“You can’t repeal it in its entirety,” Ernst said after an appearance with Grassley in Des Moines this week.
Deep divisions exist in the Senate over how to handle ObamaCare’s Medicaid expansion and insurer regulations.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said last week that he didn’t know how the upper chamber would get to 50 votes on healthcare reform, suggesting that moving tax reform bill could be simpler.
Republicans hold a 52-48 seat majority in the Senate, and Pence would be called on to cast a tie-breaking vote should legislation stall with a 50-50 tie.
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