4 Pennsylvania GOP congressmen vote against House bill to replace Obamacare

May 05--Four of the 20 votes against the resuscitated Obamacare replacement plan came from Pennsylvania Republicans, who in doing so bucked their president and U.S. House leaders because of coverage concerns they've been expressing since March.

Republican U.S. Reps. Charlie Dent, Brian Fitzpatrick, Pat Meehan and Ryan Costello joined the state's Democrats in voting "no." That's more GOP noes than any other state; three Republicans in New Jersey opposed the bill.

Meanwhile, bill supporter U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, a Republican whose district includes part of Carbon County, rejoiced at its passage after fits, starts and fixes. He's been supportive of the health care bill since resolving a concern about whether undocumented immigrants would be able to access tax credits.

Barletta called the bill "a starting point for a better health care plan that will drive down costs, restore choice, continue protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions so that they cannot be denied coverage, and ensure that Americans' hard-earned tax dollars go only to American citizens."

Still, many centrists like Dent, who co-chairs the Tuesday Group caucus of moderate Republicans, were unswayed by changes in search of votes for passage. After the vote, he described the bill headed to the Senate as "haphazardly constructed and hastily considered."

"I'm disappointed that the House passed a bill that I think is going to increase health insurance costs for too many Americans, particularly low- and moderate-income Americans," Dent said. "It will leave too many uncovered, and the bill will weaken protections for those with pre-existing conditions. I hope the Senate can do better."

Dent, whose district includes Lehigh County and part of Northampton County, voted repeatedly during the last presidential administration to repeal the Affordable Care Act, President Barack Obama's signature statute known as Obamacare.

But as Republicans this year unveiled their first repeal attempt with a shot at becoming law, Dent expressed concerns that the tax credits to offset insurance premiums are too small and the Medicaid changes don't give governors enough flexibility or resources.

After House Republican leaders scuttled a vote in March because of insufficient support, Dent called for starting over on a bipartisan version that he believed would be more likely to pass the Senate. With 52 Republicans and 48 Democrats, Senate GOP leaders have a narrower margin for sending a bill to the president's desk.

"The Senate in all likelihood will gut this bill," Dent said Thursday. "The bill will be changed substantially, and we'll go from there."

Fitzpatrick, who represents Bucks County, also opposed the earlier version of the health care bill, expressing concerns that it would hinder efforts to treat and prevent opioid addiction. He said Thursday he hopes the Senate will send back a bill that addresses his concerns "because the status quo is unacceptable."

Costello, of Chester County, and Meehan, of Delaware County, voted for the earlier bill in a House committee, but backed away after an analysis projected 24 million fewer Americans would have health coverage under the proposal. They cited concerns about how the latest changes would effect those with pre-existing conditions.

Many of the Republicans who voted against the health care bill represent swing districts. Costello and Meehan are from districts that voted for Democrat Hillary Clinton in last year's election. They, along with Fitzpatrick, are among top targets for Democrats next year.

Dent, meanwhile, was targeted by ads from the fiscally conservative Club for Growth, which accused him and nine other House Republicans of stalling efforts to repeal and replace Obamacare.

The bill has faced opposition from an array of interest groups, including organizations representing Pennsylvania doctors and hospitals, who wrote to the state delegation this week urging them not to reverse the expanded Medicaid program allowed under Obamacare.

For all the negotiations in the House, the larger challenge lies in the Senate.

Neither of Pennsylvania's senators has embraced the House bill. U.S. Sen. Bob Casey has vocally opposed efforts to reverse Obamacare's provisions, calling Thursday's vote "an economic punch to the gut of middle-class families in Pennsylvania."

Republican U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey called it a first step.

"I look forward to being a part of this process as the Senate writes its own version to repeal and replace Obamacare," Toomey said in a statement, "so that Pennsylvanians can have access to quality health care at a price they can afford."

lolson@mcall.com

202-780-9540

How local lawmakers voted on health care bill

--Rep. Charlie Dent, R-15th: No

--Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-8th: No

--Rep. Ryan Costello, R-6th: No

--Rep. Lou Barletta, R-11th: Yes

--Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-17th: No

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