Republican flips to yes on healthcare bill

Rep. Lou Barletta (R-Pa.) says he will now vote for the House’s ObamaCare replacement bill after getting a commitment for a vote on legislation ensuring that tax credits do not go to illegal immigrants.

Met w Trump/Ryan & got guarantee that House will vote in April on my bill to deny tax credits to illegal immigrants. Will now vote for AHCA.

— Rep. Lou Barletta (@RepLouBarletta) March 22, 2017

Barletta on Tuesday met with Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and President Trump to discuss his concerns that illegal immigrants could receive tax credits under the GOP healthcare proposal.

“Millions of Americans can no longer afford health insurance under ObamaCare, while at the same time, three-quarters of a billion dollars in ObamaCare subsidies have been given to illegal immigrants,” Barletta said in a statement.

“President Trump and Speaker Ryan agreed with me last night that this is wrong and must be fixed.”

Barletta said the president put his full support behind “legislation I will introduce to deny health care tax credits to illegal immigrants.”

“And the Speaker promised to bring the bill to the House floor for a vote,” he said.

“Because my concerns were met, I will vote for the bill with the understanding that my bill will receive full consideration on the House floor next month.”

Barletta in a previous statement said he couldn’t support the American Health Care Act over concerns that it “lacks sufficient safeguards for verifying whether or not an individual applying for health care tax credits is lawfully in this country and eligible to receive them.”

House Republican leaders on Tuesday were struggling to pick up votes for their ObamaCare replacement bill, with members of the House Freedom Caucus staunchly opposed.