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Arizona congressman introduces act to repeal Obamacare

July 18, 2017

PHOENIX — The Affordable Care Act, commonly referred to as Obamacare, would be no more if an act introduced by an Arizona congressman passes.

U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs introduced the Responsible Path to Full Obamacare Repeal Act on Tuesday, just one day after the Senate's latest plan to repeal and replace the bill failed.

Biggs said he wanted to introduce the bill to ward off concern from voters who may see the Republican Party's inability to remove the health care law as reneging on campaign promises.

"I fear that our constituents will be gravely disappointed when they realize we have protected much of the horrors of Obamacare after they gave us control of the House, Senate, and the White House," the congressman said in a press release.

But keeping his constituents pleased was only part of Biggs' reasoning. He also said he wants to get Americans out from under the thumb of health care costs.

"Only by following through with this promise will we give significant premium relief to millions of Americans suffering under the law's taxes and mandates," he said. I hope that my colleagues will remember their promises to their constituents and return to their commitments to completely repeal Obamacare."

Two GOP senators jumped ship on the latest Senate bill on Monday, effectively killing the measure.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, (R-Ky.), announced Tuesday the Senate would vote to move ahead on a straight-up repeal early next week, at the request of President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and other Republicans.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Issues:Health Care