House GOP healthcare support? Slim to none

WASHINGTON, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- House Democrats can expect practically no Republican support on legislation to reform the U.S. healthcare system, the deputy minority whip said Wednesday.

Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., told The Hill that the number of Republicans supporting the sweeping legislation will be "very, very close to zero."

"I don't know of a Republican out there advocating it," McCarthy said.

Centrist Republican Reps. Mark Kirk of Illinois, Mike Castle of Delaware and Joseph Cao of Louisiana

all said they would vote against the bill unless significant changes are made.

Kirk and Castle are both running for the Senate while Cao is being targeted by Democrats in the 2010 midterm election.