The Senate rejected a proposal from GOP lawmakers to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
The decision earlier Wednesday marked a significant milestone in the Republican party's years-long political crusade to gut former President Obama's legacy health care law.
The vote was 45-to-55, with seven Republicans opposing the measure.
The Congressional Budget Office estimated the repeal proposal would leave 32 million more people uninsured by 2026 than under the current law.
However, Governor Bill Haslam said that number shouldn't be the main focus of the debate.
He told NewsChannel 5 the current cost of health insurance should be at the forefront.
"Today, for the average American, medical costs are eating up a bigger and bigger portion of their household budget,” Governor Haslam said. “For the average company, their insurance costs are going out of the roof. For the average government, for the state of Tennessee, we're paying more, and more of our costs are going to Medicaid and health care costs, and the federal government is about to be overwhelmed with healthcare costs."
Governor Haslam also said he feels it’s a topic both Republicans and Democrats can come to an agreement on.
