Trump says he'll negotiate with Democrats on health care plan

WASHINGTON – Stung by another health care defeat this week, President Trump said Wednesday he will begin negotiating with Democrats on legislation that can replace the law signed by predecessor Barack Obama.

“I will negotiate with Democrats to see if we can make a bipartisan bill,” Trump told reporters at the White House, the day after Senate Republicans’ last-ditch proposal to unwind the Affordable Care Act collapsed on Capitol Hill. 

“We’re going to do it in January or February,” he said. 

In the meantime, the president said he plans to sign an executive order – likely next week – that would enable people to buy health insurance across state lines, though there is some question as to whether a president has the authority to effect such a change.

More: RIP, repeal and replace: Republicans’ last-ditch effort on health care is dead

Trump also said Wednesday that Republicans “have the votes” on health care, but don’t have the ability to get it done before a key deadline on Friday.

Since the election, Republicans have been struggling to round up enough party support for a plan to repeal and replace Obama’s health care law. They are now racing against the clock; after Sept. 30, the chamber’s rules change and lawmakers won’t be able to pass a new bill with just 50 votes. This is critical, since past health care efforts to overhaul health care have failed even with 52 Republicans. 

“We will have the votes for healthcare but not for the reconciliation deadline of Friday, after which we need 60,” Trump tweeted.

Trump cited support from an unnamed senator that triggered a mystery on Wednesday.  “With one Yes vote in hospital very positive signs from Alaska and two others (McCain is out), we have the HCare Vote, but not for Friday!” Trump said over Twitter. 

It was not immediately clear whether any senators are currently in the hospital — though reporters later discovered that Sen. Thad Cochran is recuperating from what his office referred to as treatment for a urological issue back home in Mississippi. White House officials speaking under condition of anonymity said they believe Trump was referring to Cochran. 

What’s more, Trump’s prospects for negotiations with the Democrats remain unclear.

Throughout the health care debate, Democrats have said they will not support any plan that makes it harder for people to buy health insurance, effectively cutting them off from coverage. They said all of Trump’s plans would do just that.

 More: Trump cites support for health care bill from mystery senator in hospital

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