Ohio senators Portman, Brown still seeking health care ‘solutions’

July 28--Friday morning's dramatic health care vote found Ohio senators on opposite sides.

The 51-49 vote against the so-called "skinny repeal" of the Affordable Health Care Act -- also known as "Obamacare" -- broke down mostly along party lines, save Republican senators John McCain (Arizona), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), and Susan Collins (Maine) voting against their party in the Senate vote.

In Ohio, the result did finish according to party line. Republican Rob Portman had expressed reservations about the content of his party's bills to repeal and replace Obamacare but in the end voted for the skinny repeal, which would have allowed Senate Republicans to pass something to trigger negotiations with the House.

"Throughout this debate, I've consistently fought for a better health care system that lowers the cost of coverage and provides access to quality care, while protecting the most vulnerable in our society," he said in a statement today.

"Obamacare isn't working for Ohio families and small businesses, many of whom have seen their premiums and deductibles skyrocket, and they need relief. That's why I supported legislation earlier this week to repeal and replace this law. That legislation included a number of proposals I fought for, including $45 billion to address the opioid epidemic, a glide path to avoid pulling the rug out from under Ohioans on Medicaid expansion, and $100 billion for an innovative approach to providing low-income Americans with access to affordable health care."

While the issue appears dead at the moment, with the Senate preparing to move on to other pressing topics, Portman said he will continue to support efforts to overhaul the health care system.

"I know some may want to throw in the towel and do nothing, but I don't believe that is the responsible course of action," he said. "Doing nothing would leave tens of thousands of Ohioans stranded without health insurance and everyone with higher costs.

"We can do better, and I'm not giving up. I will continue working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle on common-sense solutions on behalf of Ohio families who are suffering under the failed status quo. I hope the Senate Finance Committee, on which I serve, will announce a series of health care hearings."

Then there was Democrat Sherrod Brown, who voted against the bill. In a series of tweets sent just after the vote, he encouraged bipartisan work to try to "lower prices" and "make healthcare work better for everyone."

Thanks to all who spoke out to defeat this terrible bill. It's time for both sides to come together & work on real solutions you deserve.

-- Sherrod Brown (@SenSherrodBrown) July 28, 2017

This bill failed because people in Ohio and all across the country spoke out and shared their stories.

-- Sherrod Brown (@SenSherrodBrown) July 28, 2017

U.S. House of Representatives member Marcy Kaptur, a Democrat whose district stretches from Toledo along Lake Erie all the way to the Cleveland suburbs, was sharper in her criticism of the bill.

"Let's hope this partisan driven chaos that was causing so much anxiety for the American people, is finally over," she said in a statement. "I am relieved the Senate rejected this ill-conceived ruse and all the Ohioans who gained the security of health insurance thanks to the Affordable Care Act can have peace of mind.

"The American people need Congress to fight for them on health care instead of appeasing special interests and catering to partisan politics.

"We still have work to do, and as I have said from the beginning of this debate, Congress should work on a bipartisan solution that lowers costs and ensures everyone has good quality health care."

Republican members of the U.S. House Bob Latta, who represents the state's most northwestern counties including Wood County and half of Lucas County, and Jim Jordan, whose footprint includes much of Sandusky County and Seneca County, have not released official statements.

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