Texas Sen. Ted Cruz — one of four Republicans opposing the Senate's plan to repeal and replace Obamacare — said Thursday that the proposal "doesn't get the job done," but insisting that "I believe we can get to 'yes.'"
"I believe we can get this done," Cruz told reporters at the Capitol. "There is an agreement to be reached.
"Lower premiums, and I will happily be part of it.
"We can get there," he said. "I think there are a lot of other senators who feel very much the same as I do."
The other Republicans saying they would not support the Senate's version of the American Health Care Act released earlier Thursday are Sens. Mike Lee of Utah, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin.
The GOP holds a 52-48 majority in the Senate and can only lose two votes on the legislation.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, also of Kentucky, and other key leaders released the bill after weeks of working in secrecy.
Cruz was part of the 13-member working group drafting the proposal.
The House passed its version of the AHCA last month.
The senator told reporters that his major concerns with the proposal was that it did not lower premiums enough and did not allow states greater flexibility in creating programs to address specific needs.
"The beauty of a principle like more state flexibility is that it unifies our conference," Cruz said. "It gives a win for everyone.
"If we come out of this with premiums going down, with consumers having more choices, more options, lower prices, and states having more flexibility for creative, innovative solutions for caring for the most vulnerable, that is a big win."
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