Rep. Costello Says He Would've Voted No On GOP Health Care Bill

In a statement issued just after it was announced that the American Health Care Act would not go to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives for a vote Friday. Rep. Ryan Costello (R PA-6) said that he would have voted "no."

Rep. Costello's opinion on President Trump's proposed replacement of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, has been a subject of controversy and debate among the residents of the 6th district in recent days.

"Bottom line - I would have voted NO on this legislation as proposed, and for several reasons," Rep. Costello said in the statement. "My guiding principles for healthcare reform remain to lower costs and provide affordable access to insurance coverage for all Americans. While I have sought to make improvements to this bill, both the last minute changes, which I did not have sufficient time to review, and the present form of the bill to be presented on the Floor, led me to be prepared to vote NO.”

He added that the GOP did not know "when or if" this, or any other piece of significant healthcare reform would hit the House floor for a vote.

The vote had initially been scheduled for Thursday and was cancelled in the 11th hour as it became apparent the GOP did not have the votes needed to advance the legislation.

>>Who is to blame for the health care bill's failing to pass on Friday? Ryan, Trump, Dems, or the rest of the GOP?

Trump said the administration would be moving on to other priorities, such as tax reform. In a statement to reporters, Speaker Paul Ryan blamed the failure on "growing pains."

Rep. Costello's decision to vote no on the bill, and his choice to advertise that opinion, further indicates his frequent willingness to split from the GOP establishment on certain issues, like climate change.

On Thursday, Costello's office received so many calls regarding the pending legislation and vote that he urged citizens to email him instead to ensure any concerns were noted.

Thursday marked the seventh anniversary of the signing of the equally controversial ACA, often seen by Democrats as a landmark achievement of the Obama administration.

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