San Diego

Reaction to Passage of GOP Health Care Bill

Moments after the Republican-led House approved the bill aimed at replacing Obamacare, the public reaction started.

The measure passed the House by a narrow 217-213 vote. All voting Democrats and a group of mostly moderate Republicans rejected the measure.

U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-49th District), who was described by one of the undecided going into Thursday's vote, decided to back the measure.

There were reports that Issa was the 216th vote, securing the measure's passage, but a spokesperson was unable to confirm the timing of Issa's vote to NBC 7.

“Today, we made good on our promise to repeal and replace Obamacare,” Issa said in a written statement. “Let's stop pretending Obamacare is going to fix itself or that somehow, someday, it’s going to get better. "

"Obamacare was a failure from the get-go," he continued. "Now is the time to make it right."

U.S. Rep. Duncan D. Hunter (R-50th District) also voted for the bill.

The San Diego-area Democratic congressional delegation voted against the measure and were quick to issue public statements.

U.S. Rep. Juan Vargas (D-51st District) wrote: "In Congress, we should be working to increase access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans, not turn back the clock on progress. If we want to lower costs and make health care accessible for every American, Trumpcare is not the answer."

Earlier Thursday, U.S. Rep. Susan Davis (D-53rd District) shared a post in which she explained why she would be voting against the bill.

On his Instagram account, U.S. Rep. Scott Peters (D-52nd District) posted video of protestors outside the Capitol as well as his colleagues boarding what he described as "the party bus" for the White House.

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The bill now faces an uncertain fate in the Senate, where even GOP lawmakers say major changes are likely.

Scripps Health President and CEO Chris Van Gorder issued a statement saying the passage of the GOP health care bill brought him sadness.

"What the passage of this bill today will do is to continue the uncertainty about the future of health care and how it is going to be funded and it will cause confusion and fear with patients and health care providers," Van Gorder said.

He also suggested Congress stop "partisan bickering" and work together.

Darrah DiGiorgio Johnson, President & CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest vowed to "fight like hell."

“The American Health Care Act is the worst bill for women’s health in a generation. By passing this bill, Congress just voted to block millions of people around the country from essential health care. It’s wrong, it’s harmful and it’s cruel," Johnson said.

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