Pa. health leaders happy, but nervous about Senate GOP health plan failure

(Harrisburg) — Health leaders in the midstate are pleased about the latest news that the GOP’s efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act are faltering.

But they’re not celebrating by any means.

Andy Carter, the head of the powerful Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania, says he feels pretty much the same as he did yesterday.

That’s despite GOP leaders struggling to find a path forward after a handful of Republican senators announced their plans to vote against a plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

He says he’s still concerned some Republican senators want to rollback the Affordable Care Act, and adds that he’s worried about a surprise plan coming in the future.

Kristen Dama with the nonprofit Community Legal Services of Philadelphia is also watching Congress carefully.

“I think there’s also a lot of desire to have a victory, send a message to the country that progress of some sort is being made in the sense that legislation is being passed. So we’re still a little nervous,” says Dama.

Dama says cuts to Medicaid could still come in other pieces of legislation.

“There’s a bit of a feeling of relief that the Medicaid program is protected for a bit longer, but we are definitely not relaxing yet,” she adds.

Meanwhile, US Republican Senator Pat Toomey says he’ll vote for a repeal of the ACA if it comes up, and says history will judge Congress if it fails to replace the law.