Why can't Republicans agree on how to 'repeal and replace' Obamacare?

The Affordable Care Act or most commonly known as Obamacare, is one of the most divisive pieces of legislation in recent American political history.

Some Democrats will admit that they see no problem in improving elements of the revolutionary piece of healthcare reform, but on the other side of the lobby, Republicans want to see it torn apart.

The issue of how to tear it up is what divides the GOP.

Some Republicans prefer certain elements of Obamacare, such as the key piece of legislation that ensures that those with pre-existing conditions are also covered, but others want to see it completely replaced.

Former said, in February, that he expected some elements to be fixed but not for the entire policy to be repealed and replaced.

He added: "This is not all that hard to figure out, except this: In the 25 years that I served in the United States Congress, Republicans never, ever one time agreed on what a healthcare proposal should look like. Not once."

Donald Trump promised – on numerous occasions, during his campaign trail – to "repeal and replace" Barack Obama's flagship policy, but has, so far, failed at every step.

In March, a vote was attempted to begin the repeal process, but when it became clear that the numbers were not in the Republicans' favour, they ditched the vote.

One of the final opportunities to tackle Obamacare will come this week. If a bill is not approved by the house by 5 May, it will significantly reduce the chances of an Obamacare repeal being approved at all.

The house will go on recess next week, and lawmakers are moving on to tax reform and spending bills for next year.