Where midstate reps. stand on the GOP health care bill

(Harrisburg) — A day before a critical vote on the Republican-backed American Health Care Act, some of the midstate’s congressmen haven’t publicly said how they’ll vote.

Two of the midstate’s Republican congressmen have said they support President Trump’s American Health Care Act – Lou Barletta and Lloyd Smucker.

Barletta FLIPS TO YES https://t.co/lsxNLcUrSy

— Ben Allen (@BenAllenWITF) March 22, 2017

Two others have said they don’t support the current proposal – Scott Perry and Charlie Dent.

Dent, who is considered one of the leaders of a moderate group of Republicans, spoke earlier Wednesday, to NPR’s Rachel Martin on Morning Edition.

“I have serious reservations about the bill in its current form. True, it seems to be evolving. Some changes are better, but I’m not convinced,” he said. Later in the day, he announced he would vote no.

Dent says the American Health Care Act doesn’t include enough tax credits for people who want to buy health insurance, and he’s concerned about shifting more Medicaid costs to the states.

But that leaves four other members from the midstate who haven’t said how they’ll vote.

Experts predict that within years, 24 million people won’t have insurance coverage, deductibles will increase, and some seniors will face much higher premiums – younger people would likely pass less.

This story has been updated to reflect Dent’s official position of no, and that Rep. Ryan Costello is undecided on the bill.