Donald Trump is one huge step closer to repealing Obamacare, after the House of Representatives narrowly passed a healthcare bill aimed at undoing one of his predecessor's biggest accomplishments.
The 217-213 vote is a significant victory for Mr Trump, who repeatedly promised during his campaign to repeal and replace Obamacare. The US leader suffered a major setback in March after a vote on an earlier version of the American Health Care Act was dramatically cancelled at the last minute when it failed to gain enough Republican support.
While not fully repealing the Affordable Care Act, the latest version of Mr Trump's healthcare bill would make it possible for states to opt out of having to provide certain health services. It would also eliminate fines imposed on people who don’t buy insurance and cut Medicaid funding for the poor.
A previous version of the bill — which is opposed by the American Medical Association, the AARP, and other medical groups — would have bumped an estimated 24 million people off of insurance by 2026, according to an analysis by the Congressional Budget Office.
An eleventh-hour deal made between two Republicans and Mr Trump himself would provide $8 billion over five years to help people with pre-existing illnesses, such as asthma or heart disease, afford coverage.
Republicans are adamant that the bill will provide Americans with more choices for where to receive health insurance coverage, as health insurers continue to stop selling individual plans in certain states. Insurers have cited market uncertainty and instability as reasons for exiting the individual exchanges established by the Affordable Care Act.
Before the vote, House Speaker Paul Ryan asked, "What protection is Obamacare if there is no healthcare plan to purchase in your state?"
House minority leader Nancy Pelosi said the healthcare bill will provide a great civics lesson for America.
"Let's face it, as important as we think we are when we're in Congress, most people don't even know who their Congress person is in many places, and now they'll find out," Ms Pelosi said. "They'll find out that their Congress person voted to take away their healthcare."
On the other side of Congress, Republican leader Mitch McConnell has repeatedly said the Senate would work on a healthcare bill if the House passed one, but that it would be difficult. Republican senator Bob Corker said the upper chamber hasn’t been focused on a healthcare bill just yet.
House Freedom Caucus chairman Mark Meadows told CNN he has spent the last four or five weeks speaking with senators about the bill. "I do believe we can make it better by using some of their ideas to improve it," Mr Meadows said.
More to follow...
