From "We'll see" to "No Way" -- Florida reaction to Republican healthcare plan

ORLANDO, Fla. — If Republicans want to pass their own healthcare plan out of the US House they can only afford to lose 21 votes; they have already lost two in Florida.

The response to the Republican healthcare plan from Central Florida’s newly elected trio of Democrats in the US House followed along predictable party lines; all three in opposition.

Deputy Majority Whip Dennis Ross (R-Lakeland) is one of Speaker Ryan’s lieutenants in the House.

In January he spoke to Eyewitness News, pledging that the Republicans healthcare bill would be ready by the end of March, this week he released this statement, saying in part, “this legislation will provide affordable coverage and choice for all, eliminate crushing taxes, regulations and individual and employer mandate penalties, allow children up to 26 years old to stay on their parents’ plans, and ensure individuals with pre-existing conditions have access to coverage.”

But not every Florida Republican is on board with the GOP plan.

“After studying the impact of this proposed legislation on my district and speaking with many of my constituents, I have decided to vote no on the bill as currently written,” said Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R – Miami) in a statement posted on her congressional webpage.  “The bill’s consequences for South Florida are clear: too many of my constituents will lose insurance and there will be less funds to help the poor and elderly with their healthcare.”

“I like the direction we are moving in, but I cannot support the bill as it is right now,” said Rep. Ted Yoho (R – Gainesville) in a Tuesday interview on PBS News Hour.  “Anytime you give control to the government, it costs more money and they are less efficient.”

“What we are going to see is a lot of people not only get off healthcare, but with tax credits they are still not going to be able to afford healthcare,” said Rep. Darren Soto (D – Orlando).  “So that’s where we are going see that 24 million lose healthcare.”

Rep. Ron DeSantis (R - DeLand) released a statement in opposition to the American Health Care Act:

"By retaining the core features of ObamaCare, the American Health Care Act fails to address the escalating cost of health insurance.  The CBO predicts 15-20% increases in premiums over and above the anticipated (and significant) increases under ObamaCare for the next several years.  If that is even close to correct it would be a disaster.  ObamaCare has made insurance unaffordable and a bill repealing ObamaCare and replacing it with patient-centered reforms is the best way to address this issue."

“Every American deserves access to quality, affordable health care, and I will not vote for a bill that falls short of that principle,” said Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D – Winter Park).

“As Republicans recklessly work to push through this plan, the people who need it the most, working families, seniors, and children stand to lose the most,” said Rep. Val Demings (D – Orlando).  “The GOP plan is not better than the Affordable Care Act and Republicans know it."

There is little House Democrats can do to stop the Republican healthcare bill from moving forward, at least in the lower chamber.  With a 237-193 advantage, House Speaker Paul Ryan can have more than a dozen defections and still pass the bill.

Cox Media Group