President Trump dropped in at a Women in Healthcare Panel Wednesday. Seema Verma, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, hosted the group assembled in the Roosevelt Room in the West Wing of the White House.
With a signature piece of legislation, the American Health Care Act, headed to Capitol Hill Thursday, it was clear the upcoming vote was top of mind.
“Administrator Seema Verma is playing the leading role for us in helping us to repeal and replace Obamacare,” Trump said. “The doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals here today represent the millions of women – millions and millions – who play a vital and indispensable role in Americans’ healthcare."
While reports are circulating ahead of Thursday’s vote that House Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows has enough Republicans planning to vote against the AHCA that it might not pass, Trump added that Obamacare is putting barriers in the way of helping patients
Verma, meanwhile, said that Obamacare limits the choices Americans have.
“Obamacare has just been a broken promise,” Verma said. “Instead of meaningful healthcare, we have higher costs, less choices and more mandates. Right now, we have the government making decisions about our healthcare, not patients and not doctors.”
If the AHCA passes the House vote Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has publicly said the Senate will reach a conclusion on it next week.
Twitter: @Bernie_HITN
Email the writer: bernie.monegain@himssmedia.com
