Obamacare Repeal: How Minnesota Representatives Voted

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House of Representatives, by the slimmest of margins, passed a health care bill Thursday, known as the American Health Care Act, that would repeal and replace major parts of the Affordable Care Act. But a slim majority of Minnesota representatives opposed it (see list below).

The final tally was 217-213, but Minnesota representatives voted 5-3 against, falling along partisan lines. Congressman Erik Paulsen, who voted for the bill, said of the vote Thursday: "With millions in Minnesota and the United States in need of relief from skyrocketing costs, diminishing choices, and limited access, the status quo under Obamacare is no longer acceptable."

Following his aye vote, Rep. Jason Lewis said that "Obamacare is continuing to collapse. The American Health Care Act’s much-needed relief includes lower premiums, universal access, and greater patient choice."

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Rep. Keith Ellison slammed the bill, stating: "Calling this bill the “American Health Care Act” is a cruel irony – 24 million Americans will likely lose their coverage. Hundreds of millions of people who get their insurance through their employer could see their plans slashed. Seniors and people with pre-existing conditions will be priced out of their insurance plans. And as many as one million Minnesotans who have received affordable care through the expansion of Medicaid, essential health benefits, or the exchange will be worse off."

Here is the final vote tally to repeal Obamacare:

Yes:

• Republican Jason Lewis, Burnsville
• Republican Tom Emmer, Delano
• Republican Erik Paulsen, Eden Prairie

No

• Democrat Tim Walz, Mankato
• Democrat Betty McCollum, Saint Paul
• Democrat Keith Ellison, Minneapolis
• Democrat Collin Peterson, Moorhead
• Democrat Rick Nolan, Crosby

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