US President Donald Trump demanded that Republican MPs vote Friday on a bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.
However, Trump advised House Republicans that he will not bargain more on the content of the proposed new health care legislation, known as the US Health Care Act.
According to the Office of the Director of Management and Budget Mick Mulvaney, Trump is willing to let the current health care system put in place by former US President Barack Obama in place if his bill does not receive enough support for in Congress. Mulvaney conveyed the President's ultimatum to Republican legislators, who met in the afternoon after postponing the vote on the bill scheduled for Thursday, as they failed to reach a consensus.
"It's time to vote," White House spokesman Sean Spicer told Fox News Network. "As I mentioned, everyone is out there, going into the backyard and it's an opportunity for anyone who wants to see this fact," Spicer added.
According to Congress sources quoted by The Hill, the White House has agreed to remove one of the fundamental demands of the Freedom Caucus, an ultra-conservative group of Republican lawmakers who are blocking a settlement on the plan.
Members of the Freedom Caucus ask the White House to eliminate compulsory medical coverage of "essential benefits", which, among other things, cover emergency assistance and maternity care. However, more moderate Republicans opposed Medicaid roll-backs proposed by the Freedom Caucus, as well as their proposal to remove essential benefits.
Kevin McCarthy, who is in charge of the House's voting calendar, said the vote would be made Friday instead, although a time has not been specified. The repeal and replacement of Obamacare were one of Trump's main election promises and were a long-term goal for the Republicans.
