Former President Obama waded deeper into the debate on healthcare this week, sharply criticizing Republicans’ last-ditch attempts to repeal his signature legislative achievement. “When I see those people trying to undo that hard-won progress, for the 50th or 60th time, with a bill that will raise costs, reduce coverage and roll back protections for older Americans and people with pre-existing conditions … it’s aggravating, ” Obama said Sept. 20 during an event hosted by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. “The legislation that we passed was full of things that needed to be fixed,” he added. “It was not perfect; it was better.” His remarks come as another version of repeal, written by Sens. Lindsey Graham and Bill Cassidy, is gaining support among Republicans. Republicans are pushing against a Sept. 30 deadline to garner 50 votes in favor of the legislation. Beyond that, they will need 60 votes to pass reform, an impossible task given Democrats’ universal opposition. Video source: POOL
By Time