PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - Vice President Mike Pence said Tuesday he’s disappointed Sen. Susan Collins has announced her intention to vote against a health care overhaul backed by members of her own party.
Pence, a Republican like the Maine senator, made the comments during an appearance on WGAN-AM radio in Portland. The proposed overhaul is the “best opportunity that we’ve had to give the people of Maine, the people of America a fresh start on the failing policies of Obamacare,” he said.
Collins announced her decision after the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said Monday that “millions” of Americans would lose coverage under the bill.
Collins has spoken extensively with Pence about her opinions on health care reform over the past few months, said Annie Clark, a spokeswoman for the senator. Collins has made clear she is concerned about issues such as Medicaid cuts and the weakening of protections for people with pre-existing conditions, Clark said.
Pence also said during the radio appearance that he doesn’t think the drive to repeal President Barack Obama’s health care law is dead, but other Republican leaders have said current prospects are minimal.
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