Why it matters: The health care sector represents 18 percent of our economy. More importantly, it impacts the bottom line of every American. The average American spends over $10,000 annually on health care expenses and experts expect that to continue to rise. Obamacare has failed to live up to its promises to fix the crisis, and we must replace it with a system that ensures access to affordable, quality care for every American. 

Where I stand: I am committed to working with my colleagues to establish a patient-centered health care system that truly is affordable, not just in name but in practice, and actually works for the American people. The working draft being considered by the Senate is one attempt to fix this broken system. The fact that the initial vote was pulled shows that Senate leadership understands there are a number of concerns within the caucus about the original working draft.

My colleagues and I are continuing to meet in an effort to overcome these differences and revise the plan. We are discussing possible amendments that will improve the existing framework as we continue to work toward improving healthcare for all Americans.

As the process moves forward, I will continue to review updates made to the language, as well as the reports on its potential impact produced by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). I continue to consult with Governor Hutchinson and get important feedback from Arkansans about how this proposal affects families in our state.

I remain committed to repairing our health care system and returning power to individuals. We must put into place a system that ensures access to affordable, quality care for every American.