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In Washington, a partisan approach to lowering drug costs leaves Democrats doubting their own party leadership

Even some Democratic lawmakers are questioning Speaker Pelosi’s strategy to couple legislation to lower prescription drug costs with far more contentious Obamacare bills.
Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.), right, chair of House Energy and Commerce Committee's health panel, with Democratic leadership including Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).

WASHINGTON — Two top Democratic lawmakers are questioning Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s strategy to couple legislation to lower prescription drug costs with far more contentious Obamacare bills, saying the tactic nixes potential for a bipartisan win.

Democratic leadership plans to hold a floor vote Thursday on the combined package of health care bills — effectively rebuking the Trump administration for its attempts to roll back the Affordable Care Act and simultaneously daring Republicans to vote against drug pricing reforms that are increasingly popular.

Republican lawmakers vowed to oppose the package, despite their support for the drug pricing legislation.

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