Republican Rep: AHCA Could Destroy What Remains of Individual Insurance Market

image
Published: 04 May, 2017
Updated: 17 Oct, 2022
1 min read

House Republicans are celebrating a major victory over the Affordable Care Act (colloquially known as Obamacare). The House voted 217-213 on a repeal and replace bill Thursday. However, not every Republican is smiling.

https://twitter.com/WSJPolitics/status/860199801446649856

U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) was one of 20 Republicans to vote against the American Health Care Act (AHCA). Shortly after the vote, Massie explained his decision on Facebook:

"If this bill becomes law, it could result in worse outcomes, fewer options, and higher prices for Kentuckians who seek health care," said Massie. "In summary, I voted against this bill not because it’s imperfect, but because it’s not good.

For Massie, and a large handful of Republicans, the bill does not go far enough in encouraging a stronger free market approach to health insurance or fully repealing Obamacare. It's one of the big reasons why the Freedom Caucus didn't get behind previous attempts at reform.

https://twitter.com/RepAndyBiggsAZ/status/860222105375449092

For others, the MacArthur Amendment, which was added to win over Republicans worried about provisions on pre-existing conditions, does not go far enough.

https://twitter.com/RepMikeCoffman/status/860168260410634241

If the vote in the House looks close, it may not compare to how close the vote will be in the Senate. Many reports suggest that it will be an uphill battle and the current bill will likely be significantly altered.

IVP Donate

Photo Credit: taweesak thiprod / shutterstock.com

Latest articles

CA capitol building dome with flags.
Why is CA Senator Mike McGuire Trying to Kill the Legal Cannabis Industry?
California’s legal cannabis industry is under mounting pressure, and in early June, state lawmakers and the governor appeared poised to help. A bill to freeze the state’s cannabis excise tax at 15% sailed through the State Assembly with a unanimous 74-0 vote. The governor’s office backed the plan. And legal cannabis businesses, still struggling to compete with unregulated sellers and mounting operating costs, saw a glimmer of hope....
03 Jul, 2025
-
7 min read
I voted buttons
After First RCV Election, Charlottesville Voters Back the Reform: 'They Get It, They Like It, They Want to Do It Again'
A new survey out of Charlottesville, Virginia, shows overwhelming support for ranked choice voting (RCV) following the city’s first use of the system in its June Democratic primary for City Council. Conducted one week after the election, the results found that nearly 90% of respondents support continued use of RCV....
03 Jul, 2025
-
3 min read
Crowd in Time Square.
NYC Exit Survey: 96% of Voters Understood Their Ranked Choice Ballots
An exit poll conducted by SurveyUSA on behalf of the nonprofit better elections group FairVote finds that ranked choice voting (RCV) continues to be supported by a vast majority of voters who find it simple, fair, and easy to use. The findings come in the wake of the city’s third use of RCV in its June 2025 primary elections....
01 Jul, 2025
-
6 min read