Cruz Backs Latest GOP Healthcare Bill

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, has lent his support to the newest version of the Republican healthcare bill to replace Obamacare, after an amendment he championed was included.

"If this is the bill, I will support this bill," Cruz said to reporters Thursday after meeting with other GOP senators, according to The Hill.  "Now, if it's amended and we lose the protections that lower premiums my view could well change."

Cruz and Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, proposed an amendment to the bill Senate Republicans have been working on that would allow insurers to offer plans that fail to reach Obamacare regulations if they also have a plan that does.

"I think this new bill represents a substantial improvement over the previous version, and there are several changes that significantly improve our ability to reduce premiums," Cruz added, according to the Washington Examiner.

Lee tweeted Thursday morning that he had yet to see the latest draft, and cannot confirm that his and Cruz' amendment was included.

Just FYI - The Cruz-Lee Amendment has not been added to BCRA. Something based on it has, but I have not seen it or agreed to it. 1/2

— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) July 13, 2017

I am withholding judgment and look forward to reading it. 2/2

— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) July 13, 2017

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