UPDATE - US House narrowly passes Obamacare replacement bill

ADDS PELOSI COMMENTS, VOTE DETAILS

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - The House of Representatives on Thursday narrowly passed a Republican plan to repeal and replace former President Barack Obama's landmark health care law as Democrats erupted in a chorus chiding their Republican colleagues: "Hey, hey, hey, goodbye”.

Democrats sang the refrain from Steam's 1969 song, "Na na hey hey kiss him goodbye" as they waived goodbye to their colleagues across the aisle, signaling what they say will be blowback for Republicans.

The 217-213 House vote sends the controversial Obamacare replacement bill to the Senate where it faces an uncertain future. It nonetheless marks President Donald Trump's most significant legislative victory to date.

"Welcome to the beginning of the end of Obamacare," Vice President Mike Pence said in the Rose Garden shortly after the historic vote.

Twenty mostly moderate Republicans joined ranks with all Democrats in opposing the American Health Care Act.

"This is a scar they will carry," Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi told reporters at the Capitol, referring to her Republican colleagues. "Whatever happens down the road, the members of the House Republican caucus will be forever identified with the worst aspects of the bill they pass."

Republican leaders last month were forced to call off a vote because of a lack of support at the time.

But late last week they secured support from a group of far-right conservatives after including language in the bill that allows states to opt out of certain requirements.

The amendment allows states to pursue waivers from the Affordable Care Act's requirement that insurers charge customers with pre-existing conditions the same as those who are healthy, and also allows states to pursue waivers pertaining to charges for the elderly.

It removes tax penalties on those who choose not to get health insurance.

Roughly 20 million Americans gained health coverage under Obamacare.

On the House floor, Speaker Paul Ryan said the American Health Care Act "delivers on the promises we have made to the American people.

"Many of us have been waiting seven years to cast this vote," he said. "But many of us are here because we pledged to cast this very vote. To repeal and replace Obamacare. To rescue people from this collapsing law."

The bill's passage in the House marks a major achievement for Trump, who like his fellow Republicans, told the American people he would "repeal and replace" Obama's health care law during last year's election.

Flanked by congressional Republicans as he delivered a victory speech in the Rose Garden, Trump said America "suffered with Obamacare.

"This is a repeal and a replace of Obamacare, make no mistake about it," Trump added, vowing the bill will be able to clear the Senate.

"It's going to be an unbelievable victory actually when we get it through the Senate," he said.