Summary: Speaker Ryan and Republican leaders held a press conference with Vice President-elect Mike Pence today to discuss repealing and replacing Obamacare. Later today, the Senate will begin to consider a repeal resolution.
Key Quote: “We are getting right down to business. We are starting today on our work to deliver relief to Americans struggling under Obamacare.”
Transcript:
“Throughout this transition, we have been working hand-in-hand with the vice president-elect with one goal in mind. And that is to make sure President-elect Trump can hit the ground running when he takes office on the 20th. So we are getting right down to business.
“We are starting today on our work to deliver relief to Americans struggling under Obamacare. We must remember this—this law has failed. Americans are struggling. The law is failing while we speak. We need to reverse the damage that has been done.
“Then once we repeal this law, we need to make sure that there is a stable transition to a truly patient-centered system. We want every American to have access to quality, affordable health coverage. All of the things Obamacare has kept from the American people—more choices, more control, more freedom—we want to put them back in their hands.
“We know that things are only getting worse under Obamacare. This is about people paying higher premiums every year and feeling powerless to stop it. It’s about families paying deductibles that are so high, it doesn’t even feel like you have health insurance in the first place. And in many parts of the country, as you’ve all heard, even if you want to look for better coverage, you are stuck with one option.
“One choice is not a choice—it’s a monopoly. The health care system has been ruined—dismantled—under Obamacare.
“The answer here is not to ignore the problem. The answer here is not to ignore the problem to keep some failed legacy. The answer here is bold action, solve problems, bring relief to Americans.
“We will help Americans crying out for relief from Obamacare. And we will keep our promise to the people. As you can see, we will be working with the new administration on every step of this law, every step of the way, even before day one.”