Priebus: Up to Senate to make major improvements on healthcare

White House chief of staff Reince Priebus said Sunday that “it is up to the Senate” to make any improvements to the Republicans’ healthcare bill that passed the House last week. 

“We also believe it is up to the Senate, if there are improvements to be made to make those improvements,” Priebus told host Chris Wallace on “Fox News Sunday.” 

Priebus said he shares President Trump’s opinion that the GOP plan, the American Health Care Act, is a better alternative to the “collapsing system” of ObamaCare. 

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“Well first of all, he thinks and I think and a lot of people think that this is a binary choice between what we know as a collapsing system, offering no options, no coverage and getting to a place that is calamitous for Americans across the country or a system in place that offers coverage, offers lower premiums, offers options,” Priebus continued.

Priebus expressed confidence in the group of 12 senators who are working to improve the measure.

“I think everyone is committed to getting this thing done, and getting it done as soon as possible,” Priebus said. “I don’t think anyone is going to be beating down the door of this group of 12. I think we want to let them do their work. They are all very mature. They all know the commitments we’ve made to the American people to repeal and replace a failing program and ObamaCare, so I’m excited where we are at. The president achieved something that no one thought he would.”

Trump said last Thursday the Republican healthcare bill could “change a little bit” as it goes to the Senate for a vote.

“It could be maybe even better. It’s a very good bill right now.”