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.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us