Trump Win, As Freedom Caucus Endorses Obamacare Opt-Out Bill

One of President Donald Trump’s long-awaited campaign promises may soon reach fruition, as the Freedom Caucus on Wednesday gave the go-ahead to an Obamacare bill that will allow states to opt out of key — hated — portions of the law.

The hard-line conservatives had bucked the bill tossed about Capitol Hill for weeks, saying it was too weak to bring home to constituents and that it didn’t contain the promised reforms.

Apparently, their stand-off has brought results and now, Trump’s likely to get the applause. Why? He’s the one, after all, who pressed hard to get the anti-Obamacare attitudes rolling on Capitol Hill, to the point where congressional members have actually acted.

Republicn leadership, meanwhile, has more dickered and dithered on the matter.

From the Hill:

“The group of roughly 30 hard-line conservatives held out for weeks, scuttling a planned House vote on the bill last month after it became clear there was’t enough Republican support to pass it.

“The group said it sees the new amendment, brokered by Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) and centrist Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-N.J.), as the best option short of fully repealing the 2010 law.

“‘While the revised version still does not fully repeal Obamacare, we are prepared to support it to keep our promise to the American people to lower healthcare costs,’ the Freedom Caucus said in a statement.’We look forward to working with our Senate colleagues to improve the bill. Our work will continue until we fully repeal Obamacare.’

“The MacArthur-Meadows amendment lets states apply for waivers from ObamaCare provisions that ban insurers from charging sick people higher premiums and mandate minimum insurance coverage requirements, as long as the state offers high-risk pools as an alternative.

“Moderate Republicans are facing a difficult decision on the bill now that the Freedom Caucus has backed it, bringing the legislation close to the 216 House votes needed for passage.

“Members of the centrist Tuesday Group said Wednesday they were either still opposed or on the fence.”

It’s a light at the end of the tunnel, that’s for sure.