Speaker Ryan: United In Our Pledge to Repeal and Replace Obamacare

WASHINGTON, March 1 -- House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., issued the following news release:

In his first joint address to Congress, last night President Trump laid out a path to success--including one toward our promise to repeal and replace Obamacare. Working with the Trump administration, Congress will introduce patient-centered reforms that lower costs and increase accessibility to quality plans that fit individual needs.

As Speaker Ryan said after the speech, "Congress and the White House are united in our promise to repeal Obamacare and replace it with a patient-centered system. Tonight, we made progress on that pledge as President Trump demonstrated that he and the House are coalescing around a particular replacement plan, including a tax credit to help individuals buy a health plan that fits their needs."

In the event you had an early bedtime last night, here's a recap of what President Trump had to say:

Trump Gives Nod to Republican Tax-Credit Proposal on Obamacare (Reuters)

"U.S. President Donald Trump backed the use of tax credits to help people purchase health insurance in a speech to Congress on Tuesday. . . . 'We should help Americans purchase their own coverage, through the use of tax credits and expanded Health Savings Accounts,' Trump said. 'But it must be the plan they want, not the plan forced on them by our government.'"

Trump: 'We should help Americans purchase their own coverage' (AP)

"In his first speech to a joint session of Congress, Trump embraced a key element of the emerging House GOP health plan. . . . he announced his support for tax credits to help consumers buy health care."

Donald Trump Asks Congress to Unite Behind Health Care, Tax Overhauls (WSJ)

"Mr. Trump repeated his promise to overturn the 2010 health law . . . . He backed the use of tax credits to help people buy coverage, expanding health savings accounts to pay for treatment and said governors needed the resources to continue to fund their Medicaid programs for the poor."

President Gives Congress Five Principles for Obamacare Replacement (CNBC)

"...He laid out five key measures he wants lawmakers to adopt in replacement legislation for Obamacare. 'Tonight, I am also calling on this Congress to repeal and replace Obamacare with reforms that expand choice, increase access, lower costs, and at the same time, provide better health care,' Trump said. 'Obamacare is collapsing--and we must act decisively to protect all Americans. Action is not a choice--it is a necessity.'"

Trump: 'The way to make health insurance available to everyone is to lower the cost of health insurance' (The Hill)

"Trump called again for repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act. 'Mandating every American to buy government-approved health insurance was never the right solution for America,' he said. 'The way to make health insurance available to everyone is to lower the cost of health insurance, and that is what we will do.'"

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