Sen. Johnson: We are ‘certainly getting close’ on ObamaCare repeal

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) is optimistic that the newest ObamaCare repeal bill can gain enough traction among Senate lawmakers to pass in the upper chamber.

“We’re certainly getting close [to 51 votes],” Johnson said Tuesday on CNN’s “New Day.”

{mosads}”I would argue you’re facing a binary choice, leaving 100 percent of ObamaCare in place or taking what we can get and then working with the governors longterm,” he continued.”

.@SenRonJohnson: “We’re certainly getting close” to the 50 votes needed on plan to replace Obamacare https://t.co/Yaxv2Za6px

— New Day (@NewDay) September 19, 2017

The measure, put forward by Johnson and Republican Sens. Bill Cassidy (La.), Dean Heller (Nev.) and Lindsey Graham (S.C.), aims to give more power to states by converting funding for certain parts of ObamaCare into block grants to states.

They do not have the 51 votes needed to pass the bill just yet, but pressure to get behind the bill is mounting as the legislation gains momentum.

While Democrats and other critics of the bill argue that the legislation is taking away the financial assistance that helps people afford health-care coverage and pay for Medicaid expansion, Johnson argues that it returns power to the states, which would then be equipped to make further changes.

“There are certain things we cannot do under Senate reconciliation procedures. By turning these into block grants and start putting governors in charge, and the governors in the states start putting pressure on Washington, D.C., to create greater waivers, greater flexibility,” he continued.

Their push follows several failed Republican efforts to repeal and replace ObamaCare this year, after many GOP lawmakers vowed for years to get rid of former President Barack Obama’s signature domestic achievement.

The Congressional Budget Office said Monday it’s aiming to provide a “preliminary assessment” the bill by early next week.