Obamacare is dead, says Trump after house victory

President Donald Trump on Thursday celebrated the repeal of the Obamacare in the US house of representatives, saying it is “essentially dead”.

Republicans had passed their plan to repeal and replace Obamacare in a narrow 217-213 vote, sending the measure to the senate.

All Democrats opposed the bill but Trump touted it as a “great plan” even though they got “no support from the other party”.

At the senate, the bill is expected to face major roadblocks where it is expected to undergo significant changes.

Following the vote, Republicans celebrated with Trump, vice president Mike Pence and other senior members of his cabinet.

At a press conference at the White House, Trump congratulated and thanked Paul Ryan, the house speaker.

He also praised house Republicans for their unity.

“Make no mistake, this is a repeal. Obamacare was essentially dead,” he said.

“Premiums will be coming down, deductibles will be coming down, but very importantly it’s a great plan.”

“What we have is something very, very incredibly well-crafted.

“This has really brought the republican party together. As much as we have come up with a really incredible health care plan, this has brought the Republican Party together. We’re going to get this finished.”

Trump also said he feels “confident” the bill will pass through the senate, adding that “it will get even better”.

“It is going to be an unbelievable victory when we get it through the Senate and there’s so much spirit there.”

Democrats warned that the changes will leave Americans worse off.

“Make no mistake, many people will die as a result of this bill,” Debbie Wasserman Schultz, representative of D-Florida, said.

Republicans have been promising to repeal and replace Obamacare for seven years but have struggled to coalesce around a specific legislative proposal.

Diane Black, chairwoman of the house budget committee, said they planned on keeping their promise to constituents.

“Our constituents did not elect us to do what is easy. They elected us to do what is right,” she said on the floor of the house.