Failure to replace and repeal Obamacare is not an option, and now it's up to the Senate to do its work and get a bill on President Donald Trump's desk, Sen. John Thune said Wednesday.
"It's rescuing people from a failed system that's led to skyrocketing cost and fewer options," the South Dakota Republican told Fox News' "America's Newsroom" program.
"It failed and is unacceptable. We have to get this done."
The bill is coming out on Thursday, Thune said, and he feels confident that it will get the 50 votes out of 52 Republicans that it needs to pass. He also said he's been involved in all discussions about it, and all Republican senators have had input on it.
"We know what the issues are," said Thune. "We've been studying this issue for the past seven years. I serve on the Senate Finance Committee, and since Obamacare, we've had over 30 hearings on it. We've been deliberating this for a long time."
Thune also commented that Democrats "have expressed no interest whatsoever" in participating in healthcare reform, so "we have to fix the mess they got us into."
Obamacare, as it is, has resulted in higher costs, fewer choices, and skyrocketing premiums, so Republicans "believe we have an obligation to try and fix this mess," the senator said.
Reform will stabilize the insurance markets, so that Americans will have options for their healthcare, said Thune.
"We have one-third of this country, with few options," said Thune. "There is no competition when you have one option. Also, we need to improve affordability of health care in this country."
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