(CNSNews.com) — House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said he welcomes input from Democrats for “the new health care bill” the GOP is crafting to replace Obamacare, stressing that he has already reached out to state officials of both parties to get their “ideas” on the future legislation.
On Capitol Hill on Tuesday during a meeting with reporters, CNSNews.com cited Obamacare architect Zeke Emanuel’s recent comments on National Public Radio that Republicans may seek a compromise bill supported by Democrats, and asked McCarthy whether he agreed with that assessment.
“We want everyone to participate in the new health care bill,” McCarthy said. “I think it’s very helpful that Democrats say they’re willing to come to the table to talk about ideas and ways we can have a better system.”
In the interview on Tuesday’s Morning Edition on NPR, Emanuel – brother of former Obama chief of staff and now Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel — said that after criticizing Democrats for passing Obamacare without a single Republican vote GOP lawmakers might want a more bipartisan health care bill.
“Consistency suggests that they want a — they would want a bipartisan bill,” Emanuel said. “And I understand that the president-elect, Donald Trump, wants a bipartisan bill.
“He really does, I think, genuinely want a bill and a health care system that works for all Americans, that achieves universal coverage, no preexisting disease exclusions,” said Emanuel, who has met with Trump.
“And I think, therefore, there is some ray of optimism that we could actually get a compromise bill rather than just something rammed down the country’s throat by the Republicans,” said Emanuel.
McCarthy’s complete response to CNSNews.com’s question is quoted below:
“We want everyone to participate in the new health care bill. I mean, simply look at where we are today. You have 18 of the 23 co-ops created in Obamacare have collapsed. You have 1,022 counties in America that only have one option — so many providers have left, they only have one option. In the employer portion of health care it’s gone up – the premiums — $4,300.
“So what we did even last year before we departed – I sent a letter to every Republican, Democratic governor, insurance commissioner, asking for their ideas.
“I think it’s very helpful that Democrats say they’re willing to come to the table to talk about ideas and ways we can have a better system.”
