House leaders try again to bring AHCA to vote

Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives plan to try again on May 4 to bring to vote the American Health Care Act (AHCA), their replacement for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), according to an article from Politico.

It's still unclear whether House Speaker Paul Ryan has rallied the 216 votes needed to pass the bill. About 18 Republican representatives are opposed to the bill, and at least two dozen are undecided, Politico said.

On April 25, Republicans introduced an amended bill authored by Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-NJ), under which states could waive ACA requirements -- such as the ban on charging individuals with pre-existing conditions more for healthcare coverage and providing essential benefits such as maternity care and prescription drug coverage. The amendment also included language that exempts members of Congress and their staffs from these requirements so they would continue to be protected by the ACA provisions.

This week, in response to criticism from Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), President Donald Trump signed yet another amendment to the bill that would add $8 billion to cover people with pre-existing conditions. It is unclear whether this further amendment will persuade undecided lawmakers to vote yes on the legislation, Politico said.