Indiana senators say they will seek bipartisan solution after health care repeal defeat

South Bend Tribune (IN)

July 28--Despite casting opposing votes on a measure to repeal parts of the Affordable Care Act, Indiana's two senators, Republican Todd Young and Democrat Joe Donnelly, on Friday said they would seek a bipartisan solution on health care.

The so-called "skinny repeal" effort brought before the U.S. Senate by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., was defeated 49-51 early Friday morning. Three Republicans -- John McCain, of Arizona, Lisa Murkowski, of Alaska, and Susan Collins, of Maine -- joined all 48 Democrats in voting no.

"I still believe that by working together we can improve our health care system and, at a minimum, Congress and the Administration should do no harm to the millions of Americans' whose health and economic well-being are at stake," Donnelly said in a statement. "I share the frustration of Hoosiers and Americans who are tired of partisan proposals that fail to address issues with our existing health care system and the continued legislative uncertainty that is undermining the insurance markets."

Donnelly said Congress should work to gather input from doctors, nurses, hospitals and patients and work in a "bipartisan manner" to make coverage more accessible and more affordable.

"This morning, I voted to take another step towards relieving Hoosiers and millions of Americans from the burdens of Obamacare," Young said. "Too many Hoosiers have been left with too few options and rising costs. It is more important than ever that we keep our promise to them and fundamentally reform our healthcare system."

Young said he would focus on hearings in the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, along with working with senators on both sides of the aisle to come up with a solution that provides long-term stability to the healthcare system.