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As 'Obamacare' repeal vote looms, here's where Arizona lawmakers stand

March 7, 2017

Most of Arizona's congressional delegation appears to oppose the Republican plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, which is expected to face a key vote Friday. Democrats oppose the GOP's American Health Care Act outright, and most of the state's Republicans saw the plan as insufficiently conservative.

A House vote scheduled for Thursday was postponed but President Donald Trump said White House negotiations had ended and that a vote to repeal former President Barack Obama's signature health-care law should take place Friday.

As the wrangling continued in Washington, D.C., Planned Parenthood supporters gathered in Phoenix and cities across the nation to oppose what they called the "worst piece of legislation for women in a generation." In Phoenix, about 50 people gathered outside the Arizona State Capitol to rally against the health bill.

Tayler Tucker, a representative for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona, said the American Health Care Act could block millions of low-income women from coming to Planned Parenthood for breast exams, cancer screenings and birth control.

Here's where the Arizona delegation stands on the legislation so far, and here's how to reach all of them.

Sen. John McCain, Republican: His staff says he is still reviewing the details. There are no public statements on his website or his social-media accounts.

Sen. Jeff Flake, Republican: His staff says he is still reviewing the details. There are no public statements on his website or his social-media accounts.

Rep. Tom O'Halleran, Democrat: Opposed the plan as of Wednesday. He has been consistently against the GOP proposals.

"I will not vote for a bill that fails to improve affordability for Arizonans and sends premiums skyrocketing for older, poorer Americans," said Rep. O'Halleran. "While the ACA was far from perfect, it provided coverage for millions of Americans. We should be focused on working together to fix the flaws in our health care system, not playing politics with the lives of our most vulnerable citizens."

Rep. Martha McSally, Republican:Supported the plan as of Monday. She has long favored elements of the GOP plan, notably replacing the individual mandate with refundable tax credits, but like other, more moderate Republicans, her support was contingent on changes that seemed at odds with demands from the House Freedom Caucus.

"The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has been an unmitigated disaster in Arizona — leaving us without real choices statewide. The exchanges for 14 of the state's 15 counties are devoid of competition because they are left with only a single insurer selling coverage. ... AHCA is not perfect and I still have concerns, but I will continue to work closely with Senators McCain and Flake, Governor Ducey, local stakeholders, and constituents to strengthen the AHCA while supporting other thoughtful bills throughout the legislative process."

Rep. Raúl Grijalva, Democrat: Opposed the plan from the start. He has been consistently against the GOP proposals.

"Twenty-four million Americans will lose coverage if the Republican healthcare repeal plan becomes law. That's not just unacceptable, it's cruel."

Rep. Paul Gosar, Republican:Opposed the plan as of Tuesday. He told the Los Angeles Times the process is rushed and, like many of the most conservative House Republicans, has given no public indication he has supported any version of the bill so far.

"I don't care who says it. I've lived this. I'm tired of this place: You got to pass something because there's some little deadline? Do the right thing."

Rep. Andy Biggs, Republican: Opposed the plan as of Thursday morning. Like many of the most conservative House Republicans, he has never given any public indication he would support any version of the bill so far.

"The health care package released this week and marked up by two committees clearly notes the legislation is an amendment — and not a clean repeal — to Obamacare. I have serious concerns it does not go far enough to keep the promises of Obamacare relief we made to our constituents. I campaigned on a clean repeal to Obamacare and a free-market, patient-centered alternative to truly lower the costs of insurance premiums, and I intend to work with my colleagues in the House to ensure that Americans have affordable and accessible health care options."

Rep. David Schweikert, Republican: Supported the plan from the start. He has backed the GOP plan, but has focused his public comments on attacking the ACA rather than make the case for its replacement.

He voted with fellow Republicans to pass the GOP bill from the House Ways and Means Committee. He has also offered a series of tweets and Facebook posts critical of the ACA.

"Arizonans should be allowed to use any credits or subsidies outside of the government run exchanges, for any products that they want and need. ... ACA has had a devastating effect on AZ's exchanges; leaving 100s w/ no choice between plans and in some cases no affordable coverage at all. ... Obamacare has been a disaster for many Arizonans. It's time to resolve the problems Obamacare has caused in Arizona and across our nation."

Rep. Ruben Gallego, Democrat: Opposed the plan from the start. He has been one of the more outspoken Democrats against the Republican efforts.

"In the seven years since the Affordable Care Act was signed into law, Democrats have focused on giving Americans greater access to health care at a lower cost while Republicans blocked attempts to reign in drug prices and to extend coverage to working families. At no point in the past seven years did Republicans produce a viable plan for improving our health care system."

Rep. Trent Franks, Republican:Opposed the plan as of Tuesday, but described himself as "undeclared" on Thursday. He is an ardent critic of the ACA who has publicly blamed the Senate's rules as unavoidably limiting what can be done in the House.

"Right now I haven't been able to get to yes yet."

"Earlier this month I conducted a survey of my constituents and nearly 75% of them said Obamacare wasn't working and should either be completely repealed and replaced or *significantly* changed."

Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, Democrat:Opposed the plan as of Wednesday. She has been critical of the ACA, but on the eve of the vote spelled out her opposition to the Republican plans.

"This bill will hurt our state's economy. It will deny coverage and make health care more expensive for too many Arizona families. Congress has significantly more work to do. Healthcare reform should control costs and improve quality and access for hardworking Arizona families. This bill does not meet the mark. Under this plan, too many Arizonans, especially older Arizonans, will lose coverage, or face higher premiums or higher deductibles with less financial support for plans that cover less."

Check back. We will continue updating this story as more Arizona lawmakers comment on the proposal.