GOP mulls 'repairing' Obamacare law it vowed to repeal

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans are increasingly talking about repairing President Barack Obama's health care overhaul, a softer tone that comes as their march to fulfill a keystone campaign promise encounters disunity, drooping momentum and uneasy voters.

GOP lawmakers insist they haven't abandoned their goal of repeal, though they face lingering disputes about whether that should come before, after or simultaneously with a replacement effort.

Republicans triumphantly shoved a budget through Congress three weeks ago that gave committees until Jan. 27 to write bills dismantling the law and substituting a Republican plan. Everyone knew that deadline meant little, but now leaders are talking about moving initial legislation by early spring.

And as the party struggles to translate its longtime political mantra into legislation that can pass Congress, some Republicans are using gentler language.

"It's repairing the damage Obamacare has caused. It's more accurate" than repeal and replace, said Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., who chairs the Senate health committee. He noted that President Donald Trump and many Republicans like popular provisions like requiring family policies to cover children up to age 26 and said, "We're not repealing all of Obamacare."

Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., who chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said Republicans are "laying the foundation to rebuild America's health care markets as we dismantle Obamacare."