Frelinghuysen Says He Won't Support Current Trumpcare Version; Vote Set For Friday

Citing concerns that the legislation would place significant new costs and barriers on his constituents in the 11th Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen said Friday that he can’t support the current version of the American Health Care Act (AHCA), the Republican replacement for the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as “Obamacare.”

“Seven years after enactment of Obamacare, I wanted to support legislation that made positive changes to rescue healthcare in America,” Frelinghuysen stated.

“Unfortunately, the legislation before the House today is currently unacceptable as it would place significant new costs and barriers to care on my constituents in New Jersey,” the Republican chairman of the House Committee On Appropriations said. “In addition to the loss of Medicaid coverage for so many people in my Medicaid-dependent state, the denial of essential health benefits in the individual market raise serious coverage and cost issues.”

However, Frelinghuysen hinted that he may be open to an amended version of the AHCA.

“I remain hopeful that the American Health Care Act will be further modified,” he stated Friday. “We need to get this right for all Americans.”

A vote on the American Health Care Act - also known as "Trumpcare" - was originally slated for Thursday but was delayed. A vote is expected to take place Friday.

• See related article: Republicans Delay Health Care Vote

New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District - which Frelinghuysen represents - includes several Essex County towns: Bloomfield, Caldwell, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Fairfield, Livingston, Montclair, North Caldwell, Nutley, Roseland, Verona, West Caldwell and West Orange.

For the past several months, Frelinghuysen has been targeted by constituents in multiple rallies and protests against Obamacare repeal.

• See related article: Activists to Present Pro-Obamacare Petitions to Congressman Frelinghuysen
• WATCH: Frelinghuysen Criticized At Essex County Town Hall
• See related article: New Jersey Parents Crash Frelinghuysen’s School Photo Session

Economic think-tank New Jersey Policy Perspective (NJPP) released a report last month that claimed if Obamacare is repealed, 1.1 million Garden State residents stand to lose healthcare benefits, 86,000 jobs would be lost and 777 people could die as a result of lost insurance.

• See related article: New Jersey Residents Discuss The 'Human Cost' Of Obamacare Repeal (VIDEO)

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File photo courtesy of Frelinghuysen campaign website