In a new Republican proposal to "Repeal and Replace" Obamacare, the American Health Care Act (AHCA) of 2017 (H.R. 1628), appears to have the support of the House Freedom Caucus. In the new amendment to the AHCA, the individual states will be allowed to opt out of the most popular provision of the law: the ban against "pre-existing condition." And other popular provisions. However, in a politically tone-deaf move, the eliminating of the popular provisions "will not" apply to Members Of Congress and their staffs.

The new amendment to AHCA will also push aside other popular of President Obama's legacy law, which also includes the charging of sick people higher premiums than healthy people.

The law has one significant loophole reports Vox.com's health care expert and reporter, Sarah Kliff. This exemption for members of Congress was confirmed to Sarah Kliff by the office of Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-N.J.), who is the author of the new amendment to the GOP bill.

Obama's legacy law required Congress and their staffs to enroll

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) required members of Congress to enroll. The idea was that if the law is good enough for the American people, it should and would be good enough D.C. representatives. The GOP has been under pressure from President Trump to gain a victory in his first 100 days.

During the course of the debate of the PPACA in 2009 and 2010 during the Obama administration, the issue came into to focus and was raised by the Republicans in fact.

"If this is so good, then Congress should be required to enroll." However, it now appears that the Republican proposal that now has the support of the Freedom Caucus led by Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC). Stripping these provisions have been the main goal of the conservative group in the House.

The question is whether moderates support the new amendment

The answer to the question of whether this bill has a chance in the House is "not known." This new proposal may or may not have the support of GOP House moderates, who would have to sign on to a proposal that strips so much of the popular provisions. And whether the House will lose more support because of these toxic provisions proposed.

The GOP town halls with GOP members of Congress made clear to members that the public is not happy about changing the law in this manner.

The moderates are concerned about the elimination of "essential health benefits" and the "pre-existing conditions" clause. For example, Rep. Charles Dent, a key moderate from Pennsylvania, is against this bill. Rep. Dent has been rumored to have had discussions with Democrats to come up with an acceptable bill with bipartisan support. He will have a tough reelection battle in 2018 and is positioning himself for his reelection in a "purple" district.
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