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GOP Senator: 'I Don't See A Comprehensive Health Care Plan This Year'

Sen. Richard Burr
Getty Images Sen. Richard Burr
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03 June, 2017

Sens. Richard Burr (R-NC) and Ron Johnson (WI) are the latest GOP lawmakers to wax pessimistic about Congress' chances of reaching a deal on health care legislation to supplant Obamacare. On Thursday, Burr expressed his skepticism during a local TV interview in his home state of North Carolina while Johnson said he wasn't "sure [he] would bet on" a package to repeal and replace the health law.

"I don't see a comprehensive health-care plan this year", he told North Carolina television station WXII 12 News.

He added that the health care bill passed by the House about a month ago is "not a good plan" and was "dead on arrival" in the Senate, which plans to craft its own version.

Republicans in the Senate have a slim 52-48 majority and can only lose two votes if they want legislation to pass.

But there are deep divisions on issues like how to handle the Medicaid expansion and ObamaCare's insurer regulations, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellMitch McConnellGOP senator: Healthcare deal unlikely this year Dem senator: Paris accord did not "balance" environment, economy GOP senator "disappointed" Trump withdrawing from climate deal MORE (R-Ky.) has lowered expectations.

"I don't know how we get to 50 [votes] at the moment", he told Reuters. No Democrats are expected to vote to dismantle former president Barack Obama's signature health care bill. The president also believes that the Senate should switch to a 51 person majority to pass legislation.

The senator added the matter is "too important to get wrong".


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