Top Republicans Thursday praised the passage of the revised American Health Care Act, with House Speaker Paul Ryan declaring that "today was a big day, but it's one step in this process.
"An important step," the Wisconsin Republican said at a Rose Garden ceremony with President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence and other party members. "We still have a lot of work to do to get this signed into law.
"The issues are too important. The stakes are just too high.
"The problems facing American families are real," Ryan said. "The problems facing American families as a result of Obamacare are just too dire and too urgent.
"The truth is, this law has failed and it is collapsing. Premiums are skyrocketing and choices are disappearing."
He said that the AHCA "makes healthcare more affordable.
"It takes care of our most vulnerable and shifts power from Washington back to the states and most importantly back to you, the patient."
The revised legislation passed on a 217-213 party-line vote, allowing Republicans to make good on their seven-year pledge to repeal President Barack Obama's signature domestic legislation.
The original healthcare bill failed in March after Ryan pulled it twice from a floor vote after strong opposition by the conservative House Freedom Caucus.
The revised legislation moved forward Thursday after an amendment that would add $8 billion over five years to cover Americans with pre-existing conditions.
The AHCA now goes to the Senate. Many senators consider the House bill too harsh and it's expected to undergo substantial changes.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell also welcomed the House bill, saying that "the status quo is unacceptable.
"The pain caused by Obamacare is real for millions of Americans," the six-term Kentucky senator said. "We must repeal and replace this failed law.
"Today's vote in the House was an important step," McConnell said. "We are now closer to giving our constituents freedom from the increased costs, diminishing choices, and broken promises of Obamacare."