Republican Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie alerted his constituents that he is changing his vote on the American Health Care Act (AHCA) from “No,” to “Hell No. ” Sorry if I let you down. I’m ch
Republican Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie alerted his constituents that he is changing his vote on the American Health Care Act (AHCA) from “No,” to “Hell No.”
Sorry if I let you down. I’m changing my vote on #AHCA pic.twitter.com/JLUotqaO9L
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) March 22, 2017
Rep. Massie criticized the replacement bill ever since its public release March 6, calling the AHCA a “ stinking pile of garbage.”
The three-term congressman believes that a lot of the provisions within the bill are “crony features” for the benefit of the insurance industry.
“I think the American Healthcare Act was written by the same people that wrote Obamacare,” Massie told the Washington Examiner editorial board, shortly after Speaker of the House Paul Ryan announced the AHCA March 6.
Even after numerous adjustments to the legislation, Massie told Breitbart Radio that he had personally spoken to 29 colleagues who continued to oppose the health care bill as of Tuesday evening, 48 hours before the planned vote.
Massie warned that the replacement bill was “worse than Obamacare,” and said that the Republican-dominated House would have to own it. “We’re going to own it lock, stock and barrel,” he said .
Massie, a self-described libertarian with a Tea Party following, was endorsed by Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul during his successful campaign to serve as Kentucky’s representative for the 4th Congressional District.
Republican members of Congress across the nation hosted contentious town halls with constituents, most of which focused almost entirely on Ryan’s replacement plan.
The current plan is still scheduled for a floor vote Thursday, but the bill continues to face strong resistance from conservatives, who view it as “Obamacare-Lite,” in addition to moderate Republicans concerned with their reelection prospects for 2018.
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