Sen. Bill Cassidy: Lowering Premiums Is Common Ground

Louisiana GOP Sen. Bill Cassidy says he wants both parties involved in the negotiations to forge a new healthcare bill.

In remarks broadcast Sunday on NBC News' "Meet The Press," the Louisiana Republican said there is already common ground between the GOP conference and Democrats.

"I wish we weren't doing it one party," he said. "But that said, if you can lower premiums, that is common ground."

"Turns out to lower premiums, there's ways you do that," he added. "You get more people into the risk pool so it's healthier and younger, number one."

Cassidy added that people who have lower income are going to "need some assistance."

"And so you need money for that assistance," he said. "And for those who are perhaps richer, you relax a few of the regulations, not too many, but hopefully make it so that they can better afford."

He also is confident Republicans will come together on a new bill.

"I think something can be done" to gain 50 GOP votes to pass a new bill, he said.

"If you go back to the president's intuitions and his campaign pledges, he wants to cover everybody, care for those with pre-existing conditions, eliminate mandates, lower premiums," he said. "That's actually a place that you can get common ground."

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