McCain Said He Had No Choice But To Vote Against ACA 'Skinny Repeal'

Published: Thursday, August 3, 2017 - 5:05am

Sen. John McCain is speaking out for the first time since beginning treatments for a brain tumor and for the first time since casting a dramatic vote against the so-called "skinny repeal" of the Affordable Care Act.

McCain says he had no choice but to vote against it since Arizona has very serious problems that a partial repeal of the ACA would only have made worse.

“We’re down to one health care provider, premiums have gone up but I had no input frankly on how it was going to be fixed, except to vote yes or no when it came out of the conference," McCain said.

In the meantime, the 80-year-old senator began treatments Monday at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix for a glioblastoma, and he says so far, so good.

It’s a tough challenge, I mean of course. But I’m getting the best care I can possibly can. I’m eating well. I’m feeling fine. Getting plenty of exercise," McCain said.

He says he expects to be back on Capitol Hill when the Senate returns from break in September.