Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives introduced an amendment to their healthcare repeal, the American Health Care Act (AHCA) on April 25, according to a Politico report.
The legislation (HR 1628), authored by Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-NJ), needs 216 votes to pass -- 15 to 20 of which would need to be new votes from members of the House Freedom Caucus, whose lack of support scuttled the previous attempt to repeal and replace the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), Politico noted.
The new amendment would allow states to waive certain ACA requirements, including a ban on charging individuals with pre-existing conditions more for healthcare coverage and also the requirement that health plans provide essential benefits such as maternity care and prescription drug benefits.
In addition, the amendment includes language that exempts members of Congress and their staffs from the bill's provisions, ensuring that they will still be protected by the ACA provisions, according to an article on TheHill.com.
White House officials have suggested that the House could vote on the amendment this week, according to Politico.
