Manchin: Dems want to work with Trump on health care – POLITICO – Politico

Sen. Joe Manchin's comments echo those of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. | AP Photo

Sen. Joe Manchin on Sunday said members of his party are willing to work with Republicans and President Donald Trump to find a bipartisan solution on health care.

Manchin, a moderate Democrat from West Virginia who has been seen as a potential partner on parts of Trump's agenda, made the comments in an interview on "Fox News Sunday."

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"I want him to know there are Democrats that want to work with him," Manchin said. "But right now, they can't even repeal it. They can't get 50 votes to repeal it because somebody's getting hurt more than what they're willing to sign on to."

"Look at some of us. Work with us Democrats who are willing to meet you in the middle, who have always been willing to meet you in the middle," Manchin said.

Manchin's comments echo those of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who called for Trump to meet with Democrats to discuss how to fix problems in the health care system as a vote on the Senate GOP plan to replace Obamacare was delayed.

But Trump said at a recent rally he didn't think Democrats would vote for any health care bill, regardless of its merits. And earlier on Fox, White House legislative affairs director Marc Short called Schumer's calls to work on health care "disingenuous," citing Democrats' resistance to Trump's agenda so far, as well as resistance to confirmation of the president's nominees.

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Manchin also clarified during the interview that he has never supported the GOP's plan of repealing or replacing the law, but instead said the Affordable Care Act needs "repair."

"I think it needs repair," Manchin said. "I've thought from Day One. .. the private markets aren't working, and then on top of that we can do better through efficiencies."

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