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Both U.S. Senators From Ohio Think Health Care Plan Can Be Fixed

Senators Rob Portman (left) and Sherrod Brown (right)
Statehouse News Bureau
Senators Rob Portman (left) and Sherrod Brown (right)

Both of Ohio’s U.S. Senators say they still think it’s possible for lawmakers in Washington to come up with a plan to fix problems with the Affordable Health Care Act. U.S. Senator Rob Portman says he’s concerned there are not enough insurers available. Ohio Public Radio’s Jo Ingles reports.

While Portman says there might be enough votes for a repeal, Portman says he can’t support that without a replacement, as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell suggested.

"I would not support just having a repeal vote if that’s all that he is going to offer but I don’t think that’s what is going to happen."

Democratic Sen.  Sherrod Brown says he and some other Democrats would like to work with Portman and other Republicans to come up with a plan.

"That would rein in abusive drug company practices, that would bring young healthy people into the insurance pool, which will help stabilize prices."

At least 50 votes would be needed for the Senate to move ahead with any vote on health care.

Copyright 2017 The Statehouse News Bureau

Jo Ingles is a professional journalist who covers politics and Ohio government for the Ohio Public Radio and Television for the Ohio Public Radio and Television Statehouse News Bureau. She reports on issues of importance to Ohioans including education, legislation, politics, and life and death issues such as capital punishment.