Senator McCain: GOP Will Fight Healthcare Reform To Last Vote
By: RNS
Updated: December 20, 2009
(Washington, DC) -- Republicans will continue to fight efforts by congressional Democrats to pass the current version of healthcare reform "to the last vote," but admit it wont be enough.
On "Fox News Sunday," Senator John McCain said the GOP needs to keep "winning the battle of American public opinion." The Arizona Republican admitted there is very little his party can do at this point to derail passageof healthcare reform in the U.S. Senate this week.
McCain warned the legislation does not adequately cut costs and predicted taxes will go up as a result.
He said malpractice reform, eliminating waste, abuse and fraud in Medicareand Medicaid and allowing prescription drugs to be re-imported from Canada are changes which Republicans could sign on to, but are not being addressed.
McCain added the Obama administration has been more partisan than previous administrations in pushing through healthcare reform.
He said that includes the efforts by President Clinton to pass reform in the 1990s.
McCain said the Clinton administration tried seriously to negotiate with Republicans on the issue.
