Charlie Dent, ‘Tuesday Group’ head to White House

March 21--When President Donald Trump heads to Capitol Hill Tuesday morning to privately meet with House Republicans on the Obamacare repeal bill, Pennsylvania lawmakers from both ends of the ideological spectrum will be waiting to be persuaded.

So far, concerns or outright opposition voiced by conservatives have been the focus of House GOP leaders and Trump administration officials in search of the votes needed for passage. Bill changes have been offered to address some of those concerns.

But centrist Republicans -- such as those in a "Tuesday Group" caucus co-chaired by Lehigh Valley congressman Charlie Dent -- also have shown skepticism toward the bill and could play a significant role in the outcome of Thursday's expected vote.

The moderates will get their shot at conveying concerns directly to the president later Tuesday, when Dent and a portion of the Tuesday Group head to the White House for their own meeting with Trump.

"I thought [administration officials] would have to speak to our members," Dent said of the White House meeting, one in a series with various congressional factions. "I think they have to talk to everybody."

The centrist Republicans haven't expressed a cohesive view of the measure. Several, such as New Jersey Rep. Leonard Lance, whose district borders Northampton County, have said they currently plan to vote "no."

U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello, who represents the Chester County-based 6th District, voted for the bill in committee, saying he believed it was "the appropriate framework through which to rein in health care costs and improve our health care system."

But he's expressed concerns since the Congressional Budget Office released its analysis last week, forecasting that the bill would reduce the federal deficit but leave more Americans uninsured. Costello's spokeswoman said Monday that he's reviewing that report, as well as possible changes to the bill and feedback from constituents.

Dent said Monday, before an amendment was expected to be released by House GOP leaders, that he still had "serious reservations" about the bill, including the size of the tax credits to offset insurance premiums and the potential effect on Pennsylvanians if the expanded Medicaid program were halted.

He plans to talk with Trump about those concerns, as he did last week during a Tuesday Group meeting with Vice President Mike Pence.

Dent also intends to raise some ideas that he discussed over the weekend with Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who wrote to congressional leaders about potential Medicaid reforms that Kasich and three other governors say would give them more flexibility than the current repeal bill.

Dent has not done a whip count among the 54-member Tuesday Group, which he describes as having "a diversity of views." But decisions by those caucus members could be pivotal to whether the bill can advance.

"This is going to be a very close vote," Dent said.

Due to House vacancies, the Obamacare replacement bill will need at least 216 votes, meaning Republicans can afford to lose only 21 members if Democrats collectively oppose the repeal legislation.

Several conservatives in the Republican Study Committee came around last week, after Trump expressed support for some changes they sought, including adding a work requirement for some Medicaid recipients.

Three of Pennsylvania's 13 congressional Republicans have said they plan to vote "no" on the bill, each citing different reasons.

U.S. Rep. Scott Perry, of the York County-based 4th District and a member of the conservative Freedom Caucus, said he believes the bill doesn't do enough to reduce health care costs.

U.S. Rep. G.T. Thompson, whose 5th District includes Centre County, told the Centre Daily Times he's worried about projections the bill would boost costs for older Americans. And U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Bucks County said he was concerned about the effect on opioid treatment, which would be impacted by changes to Medicaid.

Fitzpatrick and other GOP moderates in politically competitive districts are being watched closely by Democrats already gearing up for the next election. After Fitzpatrick announced he would not vote for the current bill, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee blasted the decision as "a self-serving political calculation."

lolson@mcall.com

202-780-9540

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