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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2017/jul/27/us-healthcare-vote-live-updates-senate-republicans-affordable-care-act
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Skeptical Republicans to vote for 'horrible' healthcare bill – live | Skeptical Republicans to vote for 'horrible' healthcare bill – live |
(35 minutes later) | |
4.58am BST | |
04:58 | |
Lois Beckett | |
The Guardian’s Lois Beckett has a dispatch from the protest outside the Capitol: | |
Jill Jacobs, mother of two 24-year-olds with cerebral palsy, has been camped outside of the Russell Senate office building for the past four days as part of a protest organized by Adapt, a disability rights group. She said she was one of dozens arrested earlier this week. | |
Addressing a group of at least 250 protesters outside the Capitol on Thursday night, Jacobs said that if Congress destroys healthcare and slashes Medicaid, “My son will die...they will die.” | |
She said the last time she had to protest at the federal level was the late 1990s when she pushed for a public statue of FDR in a wheelchair. “I don’t come out and protest,” she told me. This is “my children’s lives | |
4.57am BST | |
04:57 | |
As the Senate ticks down the final minutes of debate over the health care bill introduced less than two hours ago, Republican Mike Enzi is talking about the definition of live births in European countries. | |
4.47am BST | |
04:47 | |
In a moving appeal to Republicans, Mazie Hirono, a Democratic senator from Hawaii who is undergoing treatment for kidney cancer, urged them to vote down the healthcare bill. | |
During her nearly five-minute remarks on the Senate floor, Hirono became emotional as she described the death of her sister as a child in Japan. | |
“She died at home, not in a hospital where maybe her life could have been saved,” Hirono said, her voice swelling with emotion. “It’s hard for me to talk about this. I think you can tell. Give me a moment.” | |
Hirono then addressed her own diagnosis and said she was grateful to have healthcare so she could focus on the treatment she needed and not on how to pay for it. | |
“I will yield the floor by asking my friends to show the compassion to everybody in this country that you showed me,” she said, in closing. “We should all be voting to send this vote to committee so we can debate it.” | |
Watch her full remarks here: | |
To my GOP colleagues, after I was diagnosed with cancer, you showed me your care. You showed me your compassion. So where is that tonight? pic.twitter.com/BfWMIDd0Vo | |
4.46am BST | |
04:46 | |
Outside groups are already denouncing the new skinny repeal plan. One of the most notable is the American Medical Association. | |
"Skinny" bill is a toxic prescription that would make matters worse. Senate: Oppose the #SkinnyRepeal, pivot to a bipartisan effort. pic.twitter.com/8jltsv3AOH | |
4.45am BST | |
04:45 | |
Mike Pence Is In The Capitol | |
Vice President Mike Pence has arrived in the Capitol to be prepared to cast a potential tiebreaking vote. Two Republicans, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, are expected to vote no. If all other Senate Republicans support the bill, there will be a 5o-50 tie and it will require Pence to break the tie. | |
4.42am BST | |
04:42 | |
Mike Enzi is burning the clock and refusing to let any Democrat ask any questions at all. He just announced “I expect to have this hour even if some of it is in silence” when a Democrat tried to ask him a question. | |
4.27am BST | 4.27am BST |
04:27 | 04:27 |
Republicans are letting Mike Enzi, the chair of the Senate Budget Committee, close out debate. He is not taking questions and not giving time for Democrats to speak. They are not happy about it. | Republicans are letting Mike Enzi, the chair of the Senate Budget Committee, close out debate. He is not taking questions and not giving time for Democrats to speak. They are not happy about it. |
So frustrating. No hearings. We were just given the bill. And now Senator Enzi is refusing to answer questions about it on the floor. #Sham | So frustrating. No hearings. We were just given the bill. And now Senator Enzi is refusing to answer questions about it on the floor. #Sham |
4.22am BST | 4.22am BST |
04:22 | 04:22 |
CBO Releases Score Of Skinny Repeal | CBO Releases Score Of Skinny Repeal |
The CBO has just released its score on the bill which was introduced in the Senate an hour ago by Mitch McConnell. | The CBO has just released its score on the bill which was introduced in the Senate an hour ago by Mitch McConnell. |
It will increase the number of uninsured Americans by 16 million and decrease the deficit by $178.8 billion over the next ten years. | It will increase the number of uninsured Americans by 16 million and decrease the deficit by $178.8 billion over the next ten years. |
4.17am BST | 4.17am BST |
04:17 | 04:17 |
Lois Beckett | Lois Beckett |
The Guardian’s Lois Beckett is at a protest just outside the Capitol where opponents of Obamacare repeal are gathering. | The Guardian’s Lois Beckett is at a protest just outside the Capitol where opponents of Obamacare repeal are gathering. |
Very loud chants of "Shame! Shame! Shame!" echoing weirdly off the Captiol building. pic.twitter.com/rS0MJRnLgV | Very loud chants of "Shame! Shame! Shame!" echoing weirdly off the Captiol building. pic.twitter.com/rS0MJRnLgV |
"My son will die...they will die." https://t.co/S4yA6KEVP5 | "My son will die...they will die." https://t.co/S4yA6KEVP5 |
4.17am BST | 4.17am BST |
04:17 | 04:17 |
CBO score: 15 milllion would lose insurance under Senate Republican bill | CBO score: 15 milllion would lose insurance under Senate Republican bill |
The nonpartisan budget office has estimated that 15 million people would lose insurance coverage under the new healthcare plan compared to current law by 2026. It also found that premiums would increase by roughly 20% relative to current law of the same decade. | The nonpartisan budget office has estimated that 15 million people would lose insurance coverage under the new healthcare plan compared to current law by 2026. It also found that premiums would increase by roughly 20% relative to current law of the same decade. |
Read the reporter here [pdf]: https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/115th-congress-2017-2018/costestimate/s.a.667.pdf | Read the reporter here [pdf]: https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/115th-congress-2017-2018/costestimate/s.a.667.pdf |
4.16am BST | 4.16am BST |
04:16 | 04:16 |
We’re not just blogging tonight but reporting as well. Check out our latest most up-to-date on the efforts to repeal Obamacare. | We’re not just blogging tonight but reporting as well. Check out our latest most up-to-date on the efforts to repeal Obamacare. |
4.08am BST | 4.08am BST |
04:08 | 04:08 |
Democrats are making a series of emotional appeals on the floor of the Senate in hopes of thwarting the bill. One of the most emotional came from Senator Mazie Hirono from Hawaii who is suffering from cancer herself. | Democrats are making a series of emotional appeals on the floor of the Senate in hopes of thwarting the bill. One of the most emotional came from Senator Mazie Hirono from Hawaii who is suffering from cancer herself. |
Sen. Mazie Hirono, who has kidney cancer, making a direct appeal to John McCain to "vote your conscience, vote with us" against GOP bill | Sen. Mazie Hirono, who has kidney cancer, making a direct appeal to John McCain to "vote your conscience, vote with us" against GOP bill |
3.46am BST | 3.46am BST |
03:46 | 03:46 |
The so-called “skinny repeal” is here. Here’s what it would do: | The so-called “skinny repeal” is here. Here’s what it would do: |
Repeal the individual mandate, the requirement that all Americans must have health insurance or face a penalty. | Repeal the individual mandate, the requirement that all Americans must have health insurance or face a penalty. |
Repeal the employer mandate, the requirement that employers of a certain size to provide health insurance for their workers. | Repeal the employer mandate, the requirement that employers of a certain size to provide health insurance for their workers. |
Delay the ACA’s medical device tax, which imposes a tax on the sale of certain medical devices by the manufacturer. | Delay the ACA’s medical device tax, which imposes a tax on the sale of certain medical devices by the manufacturer. |
Defund Planned Parenthood for one year | Defund Planned Parenthood for one year |
Increase funding for Health Savings Accounts | Increase funding for Health Savings Accounts |
Bolster funding for community health centers | Bolster funding for community health centers |
Reminder that there is not a budget analysis for the bill yet but an early estimate anticipated that a rumored version of this bill would leave 16 million people without health insurance compared with current law. It would also raise premiums by 20%. | Reminder that there is not a budget analysis for the bill yet but an early estimate anticipated that a rumored version of this bill would leave 16 million people without health insurance compared with current law. It would also raise premiums by 20%. |
Republicans say they do not want this bill to become law. | Republicans say they do not want this bill to become law. |
3.37am BST | 3.37am BST |
03:37 | 03:37 |
Bernie Sanders, echoing the Larry David impersonation of him on Saturday Night Live, just said the Affordable Care Act was “not great but pretty good.” | Bernie Sanders, echoing the Larry David impersonation of him on Saturday Night Live, just said the Affordable Care Act was “not great but pretty good.” |
3.34am BST | 3.34am BST |
03:34 | 03:34 |
Mitch McConnell made the following pitch on his skinny repeal bill in his speech introducing it: | Mitch McConnell made the following pitch on his skinny repeal bill in his speech introducing it: |
“The legislation I just laid down is called the Health Care Freedom Act, and it restores freedom to Americans that Obamacare took away. It does so in a number of ways. | “The legislation I just laid down is called the Health Care Freedom Act, and it restores freedom to Americans that Obamacare took away. It does so in a number of ways. |
“First, the Health Care Freedom Act repeals the core pillars of Obamacare. It eliminates the so-called individual mandate that forces many Americans to buy Obamacare insurance they don’t want, can’t afford, or can’t use — and taxes those who don’t. It also repeals the employer mandate that cuts hours, take-home pay, and job opportunities for workers. | “First, the Health Care Freedom Act repeals the core pillars of Obamacare. It eliminates the so-called individual mandate that forces many Americans to buy Obamacare insurance they don’t want, can’t afford, or can’t use — and taxes those who don’t. It also repeals the employer mandate that cuts hours, take-home pay, and job opportunities for workers. |
“Second, the Health Care Freedom Act provides significant new flexibility to states. The Health Care Freedom Act gives states just the kind of flexibility they need to implement reforms that provide more options for consumers to buy the health insurance they want. These reforms also help make insurance more affordable and flexible, so it’s something Americans actually want to buy. | “Second, the Health Care Freedom Act provides significant new flexibility to states. The Health Care Freedom Act gives states just the kind of flexibility they need to implement reforms that provide more options for consumers to buy the health insurance they want. These reforms also help make insurance more affordable and flexible, so it’s something Americans actually want to buy. |
“Finally, the Health Care Freedom Act frees Americans from Obamacare in several other ways too. It provides three years of relief from the medical device tax that increases costs, hurts innovation, and has drawn significant criticism from both sides of the aisle. It expands for three years the contribution limits to health-savings accounts so Americans can better manage their health costs and pay down more of their medical expenses, like prescriptions, with pre-tax dollars.” | “Finally, the Health Care Freedom Act frees Americans from Obamacare in several other ways too. It provides three years of relief from the medical device tax that increases costs, hurts innovation, and has drawn significant criticism from both sides of the aisle. It expands for three years the contribution limits to health-savings accounts so Americans can better manage their health costs and pay down more of their medical expenses, like prescriptions, with pre-tax dollars.” |
2.55am BST | 2.55am BST |
02:55 | 02:55 |
The skinny repeal is here | The skinny repeal is here |
Mitch McConnell is now on the floor introducing what will be formally called “the Health Care Freedom Act.” | Mitch McConnell is now on the floor introducing what will be formally called “the Health Care Freedom Act.” |
Updated | Updated |
at 3.43am BST | at 3.43am BST |
2.44am BST | 2.44am BST |
02:44 | 02:44 |
However, as my colleague Lauren Gambino reports, McCain is still upset by the process as relayed to her by the Arizona senator’s close friend Lindsey Graham | However, as my colleague Lauren Gambino reports, McCain is still upset by the process as relayed to her by the Arizona senator’s close friend Lindsey Graham |
Graham says that McCain is upset by the process. "Whatever he does, he's earned the right to do it." | Graham says that McCain is upset by the process. "Whatever he does, he's earned the right to do it." |
Earlier tonight, McCain called Ryan’s statement “not sufficient.” | Earlier tonight, McCain called Ryan’s statement “not sufficient.” |
Now, he’s playing coy. | Now, he’s playing coy. |
Going into elevator, McCain refuses to comment on whether he will vote yes or no, tells reporters he refuses to discuss his conversations. | Going into elevator, McCain refuses to comment on whether he will vote yes or no, tells reporters he refuses to discuss his conversations. |
Updated | Updated |
at 2.47am BST | at 2.47am BST |
2.38am BST | 2.38am BST |
02:38 | 02:38 |
And now, Lindsey Graham is officially satisfied with voting for a bill that he has described as a fraud. It seems the vote-a-rama is on. | And now, Lindsey Graham is officially satisfied with voting for a bill that he has described as a fraud. It seems the vote-a-rama is on. |
.@LindseyGrahamSC had phone call with Paul Ryan. He's satisfied. He's voting for the skinny budget. Let the vote-a-rama begin? | .@LindseyGrahamSC had phone call with Paul Ryan. He's satisfied. He's voting for the skinny budget. Let the vote-a-rama begin? |
2.34am BST | 2.34am BST |
02:34 | 02:34 |
It looks Paul Ryan has pledged to wavering senators that there will be no vote on skinny repeal in the House. | It looks Paul Ryan has pledged to wavering senators that there will be no vote on skinny repeal in the House. |
Big news! In the office they had a conference call with Paul Ryan who promised not to pass skinny repeal. They seem to be all yes votes now https://t.co/vXpIwHCpFM | Big news! In the office they had a conference call with Paul Ryan who promised not to pass skinny repeal. They seem to be all yes votes now https://t.co/vXpIwHCpFM |