House passes GOP health-care bill with razor-thin margin, sending it to the Senate

House Republicans pass health care bill.
(Image credit: Eric Thayer/Getty Images)

On Thursday, the House narrowly passed the American Health Care Act, 217-213. Every Democrat voted against the GOP health-care bill, as did 20 Republicans. The 217 affirmative Republican votes was just above the bare minimum amount of votes that could pass the bill.

The AHCA passed after a lengthy struggle by Republican leadership to win over moderates who were concerned the bill threatened coverage for people with pre-existing conditions, while hardline conservatives worried the bill didn't go far enough to repeal ObamaCare. Republicans initially tried to put the bill to a floor vote in March, but it was pulled by House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) after it became clear it would not pass.

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