Arkansas debate mostly sidelines health care

CONWAY, Ark.—Attempts to scrap the federal health care law have been the focus of Democrats' efforts to flip a congressional seat in solidly red Arkansas, but the issue was sidelined Monday in the only debate between Republican Rep. French Hill and Democratic challenger Clarke Tucker.

Hill and Tucker didn't face any questions about health care and mostly avoided confronting each other directly over the issue during the debate for Arkansas' 2nd Congressional District, which includes Little Rock and seven central Arkansas counties. The debate also featured Libertarian nominee Joe Swafford.

Arkansas hasn't sent a Democrat to the U.S. House since 2010, and President Donald Trump easily won the state two years ago. But Democrats are mounting a surprisingly competitive bid to unseat the two-term congressman, with Tucker focusing on health care and his own battle with bladder cancer.

HEALTH CARE

Both candidates said they were surprised they weren't asked about health care. Tucker used his closing statement to tout his support for the federal health law, and said the bill to repeal it backed by Hill and House Republicans would have removed critical protections for people with pre-existing conditions.

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