The House Freedom Caucus announced its official support for the leadership-backed Obamacare repeal bill Wednesday, having been swayed by an amendment that makes substantial changes to the initial legislation.
“NEWS: Freedom Caucus announces official position of support for AHCA with MacArthur amendment included,” HFC spokeswoman Alyssa Farah confirmed in a tweet.
The decision comes after the powerful conservative group met following the House GOP’s conference meeting Wednesday morning. The caucus requires 80 percent of its members to agree before it will take an official position on an issue. Their support comes as a major win for the party in terms of reviving legislation once seen as all but dead.
NEWS: Freedom Caucus announces official position of support for AHCA with MacArthur amendment included
— Alyssa Farah (@Alyssafarah) April 26, 2017
The group was largely blamed for the derailment of House Republicans’ first attempt to pass the American Health Care Act in March, having dubbed the bill “Obamacare lite.”
The MacArthur amendment — negotiated between Tuesday Group Co-Chairman Tom MacArthur and House Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows — would allow states to waive out of a number of Obamacare’s Title I regulations, a sticking point for conservatives who felt it was the only way to truly bring down premiums.
While conservatives have gotten on board, a number of moderates remain unsold, voicing concerns over Medicaid expansion and pre-existing conditions.
House Leadership said they plan to bring the bill to the floor as soon as they are confident they have the votes for it to pass.
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