As GOP dissent grows, U.S. Rep. Shimkus says party ‘on a rescue mission’ for health care

March 23--Amid growing dissent from Republicans on their health care overhaul, U.S. Rep. John Shimkus of downstate Collinsville spoke forcefully in support of the plan Thursday, saying "we're on a rescue mission."

Shimkus, the longest-serving GOP member of Congress from Illinois, criticized the 2010 Affordable Care Act for failing to let all Americans keep their insurance plan and doctor and enjoy lower health care costs.

"So I would argue we've been very patient -- seven years," he said from the House floor Thursday. "And I think the public's been very patient. And the public has judged the ACA, also known as Obamacare, through a couple election cycles and has claimed failure."

Later Thursday, a source told the Associated Press that the schedule vote on the plan had been delayed. House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., postponed a scheduled afternoon news conference.

Some of the state's seven Republican members support the Republican plan, but it was unclear how suburban Chicago U.S. Reps. Peter Roskam of Wheaton and Randy Hultgren of Plano will vote. The same was true of Downstate Rep. Mike Bost of Murphysboro.

Also on Thursday, a spokesman for U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood of Peoria clarified the congressman's stance, saying because the bill still was being discussed and amended, he was unsure how LaHood would vote. "Up until this point, I believe he has been supportive of measures included within the bill," the spokesman, J.D. Dalfonso, said.

A day earlier, the aide said LaHood supported the legislation "at this time."

In his remarks, Shimkus said Republicans believe in transparency, markets, competition and the return of power to the states, some of which have been successful in reforming their Medicaid programs.

Shimkus criticized rising premium costs and said nearly one-third of U.S. counties have only one insurer under the exchanges set up under the ACA. Some 4.7 million Americans have been "kicked off their health plan," he said. Shimkus also said 18 of the 23 co-ops set up under the ACA had failed. "It shows you it's not working," he said.

"So seven years is too long to wait," he said. "I appreciate us moving aggressively. Time is of the essence. We're on a rescue mission, and this is just another path in the process of repealing and replacing Obamacare."

His characterization drew a rebuke from the next speaker, U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern.

"The Republican plan is not a rescue mission," said the Democrat from Massachusetts. "It's a full-fledged attack on the middle class. A rescue plan for the rich, maybe.

"Slamming the middle class with a tax hike, ripping away coverage and undermining Medicare is not a rescue mission, I assure you," McGovern said. "I've seen the town halls around the country. They want nothing to do with your rescue plan."

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., on Thursday said the GOP plan -- which she dubbed "Trumpcare" -- is a "moral monstrosity that will devastate seniors and hardworking Americans."

None of the 11 Illinois Democratic members of Congress supports the GOP plan.

Also unclear Thursday was whether Rep. Bobby Rush, a Chicago Democrat whose wife died last week, will return for a possible vote. Aides did not return calls for comment on whether he would show up for the vote. Services for his wife begin with a visitation Friday evening.

Tribune wire services contributed

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