Trump tries to pressure Senate Republicans on health care

BRANCHBURG, N.J. -- President Donald Trump urged Senate Republicans on Sunday to "not let the American people down" as the contentious debate over overhauling the U.S. health-care systems shifts to Congress' upper chamber, where a vote is potentially weeks, if not months, away.

Some senators already have voiced displeasure with the health-care bill that cleared the House last week, with Republicans providing all the "yes" votes in the 217-213 count.

They cited concerns about potential higher costs for older people and those with pre-existing conditions, along with cuts to Medicaid.

Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, a moderate Republican whose vote will be critical to getting a bill to Trump's desk and who voiced similar concerns, said the Senate would not take up the House bill.

"The Senate is starting from scratch. We're going to draft our bill, and I'm convinced we will take the time to do it right," she said.

Mick Mulvaney, Trump's budget director, said the version that gets to the president likely will differ from the House measure.

Such a scenario would force the House and Senate to work together to forge a compromise bill both houses can support.

Collins also complained the House rushed a vote before the Congressional Budget Office could complete its cost-benefit analysis.

Trump sought Sunday to pressure Senate Republicans on the issue.

"Republican senators will not let the American people down!" Trump tweeted from his private golf course in central New Jersey, where he has stayed since late Thursday. "ObamaCare premiums and deductibles are way up -- it was a lie and it is dead!"

Trump has said the current system is failing as insurers pull out of markets, forcing costs and deductibles to rise.