Rep. Scott DesJarlais backs revised GOP plan to repeal Obamacare

April 26--WASHINGTON -- Rep. Scott DesJarlais said Wednesday he will support a revised GOP plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act as conservatives in the House push for a new vote on their stalled health care initiative.

DesJarlais, the only Tennessee Republican who refused to back a previous version of the bill that collapsed in March, said the revised proposal by members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus had satisfied many of his concerns about the GOP's American Health Care Act.

"Obamacare hit Tennessee hard," the South Pittsburg Republican said in a statement. "Year after year, premium and deductible costs have risen exponentially, as health insurers have fled the marketplace, leaving families and businesses with few insurance options, if any. Not only that, doctors are harder to find, and important health measures have declined.

"My number one priority has been to improve affordability, access and quality health care for my constituents, which today's agreement -- the product of intense study and negotiations -- will accomplish. Freedom Caucus' changes to the American Health Care Act are substantial, emphasizing federalism, free markets, competition and personal choice. President Trump has been instrumental during this difficult process, and I look forward to progress in the Senate."

The new language is contained in an amendment negotiated by Freedom Caucus chairman Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., and New Jersey Rep. Tom MacArthur, who chairs a moderate group of Republicans called the Tuesday Group.

The amendment addresses Freedom Caucus concerns that the original bill did not go far enough in repealing the Affordable Care Act's mandates on the coverage insurers are required to provide.

The new language leaves many of the mandates from Obamacare in place in an attempt to keep or get moderate support, but it also gives states the option to apply for waivers that would get rid of the minimum insurance requirements.

States will be granted waivers if they can prove one or more of the following: premiums will go down, more people will get insurance, the insurance markets or premiums will be stabilized or there will be more health options in the state.

The amendment does say that even with waivers, insurance companies cannot discriminate in their rates based on gender. They also must provide coverage to people with pre-existing conditions, though it is not clear if costs will go up for people with pre-existing conditions.

The Freedom Caucus, which was instrumental in sinking the original proposal in March, announced Wednesday it is supporting the new language. DesJarlais, a physician, is a Freedom Caucus member.

It is not yet clear whether House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., will call for a vote on the latest proposal.

In March, Ryan canceled a vote on the previous version of the bill GOP after failing to win enough support from members of his own party to pass the legislation.

DesJarlais was prepared to vote against that bill. The other six GOP House members from Tennessee all supported the legislation.

Reach Michael Collins at 703-854-8927, at mcollins2@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @mcollinsNEWS.

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