Maine’s Congressional delegation reacted to Friday’s cancellation of a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives to repeal the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.

U.S. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said, “As the cancellation of today’s vote in the House demonstrates, there were significant and serious problems with the House bill, which is why I opposed it. The House bill, according to the Congressional Budget Office, would have resulted in 24 million Americans losing access to health insurance; disproportionately hurt rural Mainers between the ages of 50 and 64; and shifted tens of millions of dollars in costs to the State of Maine, hospitals, long-term care facilities, and families who have insurance.

“This is an extremely important debate with significant implications for millions of Americans,” Collins said. “Our current health care system is under considerable stress, but the House bill was not the solution and would have imposed hardships on those who could least afford it.” 

She urged her colleagues, both Republicans and Democrats, to look at legislation by her and Sen. Bill Cassidy which would expand access in a way that provides more choices and restrains cost.

U.S. Angus King, I-Maine said, “This bill was seriously flawed and it would have hurt tens of thousands of people across Maine, so I’m glad to see it taken off the table.

“Making coverage more affordable and more accessible should be our shared goal, but this bill never came close to accomplishing that,” King said. “I have long said the Affordable Care Act needs to be fixed, and I am prepared to work with those who are interested in improving it, along with our health care system.”

U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, said, “This is a huge win for tens of thousands of Mainers who made their voices heard and rely on the Affordable Care Act and Planned Parenthood. This bill was bad from the start and got worse as President Trump and House Republicans negotiated behind closed doors. Trumpcare would have increased costs for older, rural, and low-income Mainers, stripped funding from Planned Parenthood health centers, and given billions in tax breaks to health insurance companies and the wealthiest Americans. Since the bill did not pass today, I hope President Trump commits to giving the ACA the support it needs to continue protecting and covering millions of Americans.”

Republican Rep. Bruce Poliquin never revealed how he would’ve voted on the bill, but he says he’s happy to see the House take a step back.

Poliquin said afterward that all legislation, especially important policy changes, “must have enough time to be thoroughly reviewed by the American people and all lawmakers of all political parties.”

Poliquin said that he has pushed to ensure those nearing retirement and in rural areas are protected in any replacement for President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul law.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.