Pelosi says Democrats willing to deal on health care fixes if GOP reaches out – USA TODAY
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi speaks at a Christian Science Monitor breakfast on March 10, 2017.(Photo: Michael Bonfigli, The Christian Science Monitor)
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosisaid Friday that Democrats would be willing to compromise with Republicans on a revised health care law if the GOP reaches out to them.
Pelosi said Democrats will continue to fight Republican efforts to scrap the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare. But, if Republicans can't get their own fractious caucus to agree on a replacement bill, Pelosi said Democrats would be willing to work with the GOP to improve the existing law.
"We would be able to swallow, I think, some things (that Republicans want), if that's the price to pay to get the rest of it," the California lawmakersaid at a newsmaker breakfast hosted by the Christian Science Monitor.
Specifically, Pelosi said she would be willing to accept Republicans' plan to expand Health Savings Accounts, which are tax-exempt accounts that people can use to pay for medical expenses. The Republican health care bill, called the American Health Care Act, would increasethe amount of contributions that people can make to their accounts from $3,400 to $6,550for individuals and from $6,750 to $13,100 for families.
Pelosi said she doesn't like that ideabut would be willing to include it in a compromise bill if Republicans were willing to accept the expansion of Medicaid, which provides care for low-income families and disabled Americans. Obamacare expanded the number of people who were eligible for Medicaid. The Republican plan would phase out that expansion.
"Would they (Republicans) accept the expansion of Medicaid? That would be very important," Pelosi said.
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Still, the Democratic leader said she is skeptical that House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and other Republican leaders would ask for Democratic help, even if their bill fails to pass because of a lack of support within the GOP.
"I would hope that if it doesn't pass, they would make an overture," Pelosi said. "But they may not give up. They may say, 'OK, we didn't pass this, let's go back to the drawing board.' "
She said Republicans may be forced to do just that after they see how much their bill is going to cost and how many Americans could lose their health care coverage if it passes. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office is expected to come out with its estimate of those numbers on Monday.
Pelosi pointed to a prediction by Brookings Institution experts on Thursday that the CBO report will estimate that 15 million people will lose their health care coverage if the Republican bill is approved.
"They (Republicans) do not know what they're talking about (without seeing the CBO estimates)," she said.
The U.S. Secretary of Health Tom Price distinguished which health care plans will be changed by the proposed replacement for Obamacare during a news conference at the White House. USA TODAY NETWORK
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A closer look at the draft legislation House Republicans hope will replace the Affordable Care Act. USA TODAY NETWORK
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Donald Trump says a replacement for Obamacare will be offered with the confirmation of his health secretary. And he tells reporters that repealing and replacing President Barack Obama's health care law would be done "essentially simultaneously." (Jan. 11) AP
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Five Republican senators are offering a budget resolution amendment which would extend the deadline for a repeal of Obamacare. Buzz60
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Between November 1 and December 24 approximately 11.5 million people signed up for health plan coverage under President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act. USA TODAY
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House Speaker Paul Ryan says the GOP's budget bill defunding Obamacare could include language to block Planned Parenthood's federal funds. Video provided by Newsy Newslook
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The estimate from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget includes the repeal's effect on the economy. Video provided by Newsy Newslook
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The President-elect says the Republican party 'doesn't want to own' Obamacare. He says the repeal and replace transition will happen 'essentially simultaneously'.
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President-elect Donald Trump, who had repeatedly campaigned on a promise to repeal the Affordable Care Act, said Friday that he would consider keeping certain parts of the health care law after meeting with President Obama at the White House. Time
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Donald Trump told 'The Wall Street Journal' that he may retain certain parts of the Affordable Care Act, a shift in tone since he promised to repeal it during his campaign. USA TODAY NETWORK
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Over 100,000 people signed up for Obamacare plans the day after the presidential election. It's the largest number since open enrollment starts on November 1. USA TODAY NETWORK
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U.S. Health Secretary: Changes are about patients
Obamacare replacement bill unveiled by Republicans
Trump: Obamacare Plan is 'Repeal and Replace'
Republican Senators push to slow Obamacare repeal
11.5 million people signed up for Obamacare
Paul Ryan: GOP will defund Planned Parenthood and Obamacare
Repealing Obamacare: What it could cost and what it could save
Trump claims transition from Obamacare will be simultaneous
Donald Trump says hes willing to preserve parts of Obamacare
Trump suggests parts of Obamacare may stay
Trump election helps spur record Obamacare signups
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Pelosi says Democrats willing to deal on health care fixes if GOP reaches out - USA TODAY
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