Ohio Leaders Respond to House-passed 'Trumpcare' Bill

May 5, 2017

Ohio Leaders Respond to House-passed 'Trumpcare' Bill

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX/WTTE) — The replacement bill for Obamacare passed a vote in the House of Representatives Thursday. Ohio's leaders were not quiet on the issue.

Governor John Kasich called the bill, "woefully short on the necessary resources to maintain health care for our nation's most vulnerable citizens."

The governor said, "It's essential we help people dealing with mental illness, addiction, and chronic illness have the coverage they need to get and stay healthy."

Kasich hopes that he and other "like-minded" governors and senators can work on a more practical solution.

Ohio Senator's were also not quiet on the issue.

Senator Sherrod Brown said on Twitter, "This bill is heartless, it is bad for Ohio, and it will leave real Ohioans struggling to afford care."

Senator Rob Portman said he was also against the House 'Trumpcare' bill.

"I've already made clear that I don't support the House bill as currently constructed because I continue to have concerns that this bill does not do enough to protect Ohio's Medicaid expansion population, especially those who are receiving treatment for heroin and prescription drug abuse," said Portman in a statement.

Portman stood firm on his fight against the opioid crisis the country.

Congresswoman Joyce Beatty voted no for on the proposed bill.

She said, "Trumpcare will be a prescription disaster for more than 129 million Americans with pre-existing conditions - not to mention seniors, women, people with disabilities, students with disabilities and working families."

Congresswoman Beatty said health care should be a right for all, not just the "privileged" few.

Congressman Pat Tiberi voted for the bill.

"Obamacare is failing and it is leaving people with higher costs, fewer choices and unreliable care. With the American Health Care Act, we are providing relief from these pervasive problems that are hurting Americans from all walks of life," said Tiberi in a statement.

He said the vote is part of a multi-step approach to getting people access to better care.

Congressman Steve Stivers also voted for the bill.

The bill will move onto the Senate, where it is expected to face a tough path.

This article was originally published by ABC6 Columbus on May 5, 2017.