Sen. Lankford Issues Statement on Senate’s Failure to Repeal, Replace Obamacare

WASHINGTON, July 28 -- The office of Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., issued the following statement on the Senate's failure to pass a bill to repeal and replace Obamacare. Although Lankford supported the Health Care Freedom Act in order to progress to a House-Senate conference committee process, it was voted down by a vote of 49-51:

"I'm deeply disappointed that the Senate was unable to repeal and replace Obamacare. For years, I and my staff have worked to develop solutions to our national healthcare crisis.

"After months of work and debate, we were one vote short. It is my concern that rates will continue to skyrocket and insurance options will continue to fade. In Oklahoma, the tax penalties of Obamacare mostly fall on people who make less than $50,000 a year. I will continue to work to get relief for all Oklahoma families who daily deal with the consequences of Obamacare.

"While some have benefited from the subsidies of Obamacare, it is clear that an equal number have also been harmed from the law. We should not stop working to find solutions to a law that has caused so much damage to our economy and our healthcare delivery system."

Healthcare insurance premiums have increased 76 percent on average for Oklahoma residents on the Affordable Care Act federal exchange this year. Oklahoma is one of five states to only have one insurer on the exchange (Blue Cross Blue Shield) in 2017, joining South Carolina, Alaska, Alabama and Wyoming.