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Last-gasp Republican effort to repeal Obamacare gains momentum Last-gasp Republican effort to repeal Obamacare gains momentum
(about 1 hour later)
A handful of Republican senators are attempting to revive the healthcare repeal effort that appeared all but dead and buried when Congress left Washington for summer.A handful of Republican senators are attempting to revive the healthcare repeal effort that appeared all but dead and buried when Congress left Washington for summer.
The last-gasp effort is gaining momentum on Capitol Hill as Republicans confront a narrowing window in which to dismantle Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act (ACA) on a party-line vote.The last-gasp effort is gaining momentum on Capitol Hill as Republicans confront a narrowing window in which to dismantle Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act (ACA) on a party-line vote.
The legislation authored by Lindsey Graham, Bill Cassidy, Ron Johnson and Dean Heller would offer billions of dollars currently spent on Medicaid expansion and tax credits under the ACA to states in the form of block grants. Such lump sums would be calculated with a complex formula that includes factors such as cost of living and population density. The legislation authored by senators Lindsey Graham, Bill Cassidy, Ron Johnson and Dean Heller would transfer billions of dollars currently spent on Medicaid expansion and tax credits under the ACA to states in the form of block grants. Such lump sums would be calculated with a complex formula that includes factors such as cost of living and population density.
Under the bill, millions of Americans could lose insurance coverage as spending discretion is handed to the states. The proposal also includes severe cuts to Medicaid, the national insurance program for low-income families, and would allow states to waive ACA protections that prohibit insurers from charging higher premiums of people with pre-existing conditions.Under the bill, millions of Americans could lose insurance coverage as spending discretion is handed to the states. The proposal also includes severe cuts to Medicaid, the national insurance program for low-income families, and would allow states to waive ACA protections that prohibit insurers from charging higher premiums of people with pre-existing conditions.
Donald Trump, frustrated with the party’s failure to repeal his predecessor’s healthcare reform, said he “applauds” the latest effort and “sincerely hopes that senators Graham and Cassidy have found a way to address the Obamacare crisis”.Donald Trump, frustrated with the party’s failure to repeal his predecessor’s healthcare reform, said he “applauds” the latest effort and “sincerely hopes that senators Graham and Cassidy have found a way to address the Obamacare crisis”.
Reconciliation, the process that allows lawmakers to pass budget legislation with a simple majority, expires on 30 September. After that, budgetary legislation must clear a 60-vote threshold, making it far more unlikely that Republicans will win enough votes to dramatically restructure the ACA. Democrats agree the law has problems but have so far remained unanimously against repeal.Reconciliation, the process that allows lawmakers to pass budget legislation with a simple majority, expires on 30 September. After that, budgetary legislation must clear a 60-vote threshold, making it far more unlikely that Republicans will win enough votes to dramatically restructure the ACA. Democrats agree the law has problems but have so far remained unanimously against repeal.
The bill does not resolve the ideological differences that felled previous attempts. But those behind it are painting it as a last chance to make good on seven years of promises to tear down the ACA.The bill does not resolve the ideological differences that felled previous attempts. But those behind it are painting it as a last chance to make good on seven years of promises to tear down the ACA.
“It should have been our first bill to repeal and replace Obamacare, but it is now our last,” Graham said last week at a news conference. “To those in the Republican party who feel like we have not fought as hard as we could, you’re right.”“It should have been our first bill to repeal and replace Obamacare, but it is now our last,” Graham said last week at a news conference. “To those in the Republican party who feel like we have not fought as hard as we could, you’re right.”
Democrats and liberal groups are urging activists to take the effort seriously. The Senate minority leader, Chuck Schumer, issued a “red alert” on Twitter and warned Democrats: “#Trumpcare is back & Senate GOP has until Sept 30 to pass their bill. We need your voices more than ever!” Democrats and liberal groups are urging activists to take the effort seriously. The Senate minority leader, Chuck Schumer, called the bill a “red siren moment for the entire country” during a press conference on Monday.
Ben Wikler, Washington director of MoveOn, which rallied opposition to previous repeal bills, said: “Danger real. Activism needed.” Activists are preparing to flood lawmakers’ phone lines and mount protests against Republican senators in Washington and in their states this week.Ben Wikler, Washington director of MoveOn, which rallied opposition to previous repeal bills, said: “Danger real. Activism needed.” Activists are preparing to flood lawmakers’ phone lines and mount protests against Republican senators in Washington and in their states this week.
The Congressional Budget Office, a nonpartisan scoring agency, must complete a cost and coverage impact analysis. David Popp, a spokesman for the Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, confirmed that the leader had asked the agency to “prioritize” the Graham-Cassidy bill. The bill’s sponsors will continue to cajole their colleagues at staff briefings, Popp said, as leaders gauge support. The Congressional Budget Office, a nonpartisan scoring agency, must complete a cost and coverage impact analysis. David Popp, a spokesman for the Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, confirmed that the leader had asked the agency to “prioritize” the Graham-Cassidy bill. The bill’s sponsors will continue to cajole their colleagues at staff briefings, Popp said, as leaders gauge support. In response to the request, Democrats sent a letter to the CBO demanding a “full assessment” of the legislation before the bill comes to the floor.
In response to the request, Democrats sent a letter to the CBO demanding a “full assessment” of the legislation before the bill comes to the floor.
“A comprehensive CBO analysis is essential before Republicans force a hasty, dangerous vote on what is an extreme and destructive repeal bill,” the group of Democratic lawmakers wrote.“A comprehensive CBO analysis is essential before Republicans force a hasty, dangerous vote on what is an extreme and destructive repeal bill,” the group of Democratic lawmakers wrote.
Graham and Cassidy have said they are close to getting the requisite 50 votes – Vice-President Mike Pence would break the tie – but that was said of each bill that has failed so far.Graham and Cassidy have said they are close to getting the requisite 50 votes – Vice-President Mike Pence would break the tie – but that was said of each bill that has failed so far.
Rand Paul, a Kentucky libertarian who wants a full repeal of the ACA, said that “keeping 90% of Obamacare is not OK and it’s not what we ran on”.Rand Paul, a Kentucky libertarian who wants a full repeal of the ACA, said that “keeping 90% of Obamacare is not OK and it’s not what we ran on”.
In response to an earlier tweet, Cassidy countered that the measure “repeals entire architecture of Obamacare & gives Kentucky control over its own healthcare” and offered to review it with him.In response to an earlier tweet, Cassidy countered that the measure “repeals entire architecture of Obamacare & gives Kentucky control over its own healthcare” and offered to review it with him.
“No thanks,” Rand replied.“No thanks,” Rand replied.
John McCain, the Arizona Republican whose opposition derailed the most recent healthcare proposal in a late-night vote in July, has expressed an openness to the plan while saying the bill should be properly vetted in committee and attract bipartisan support.John McCain, the Arizona Republican whose opposition derailed the most recent healthcare proposal in a late-night vote in July, has expressed an openness to the plan while saying the bill should be properly vetted in committee and attract bipartisan support.
McCain told MSNBC on Monday that he may “reluctantly” support the bill.McCain told MSNBC on Monday that he may “reluctantly” support the bill.
The Senate committee on homeland security and governmental affairs, which Johnson chairs, announced that it will hold a hearing next week on the healthcare plan, perhaps paving the way for McCain’s expression of support. The budget agency said it aims to release a preliminary assessment of the measure by “early next week”. The Senate committee on homeland security and governmental affairs, which Johnson chairs, announced that it will hold a hearing next week on the healthcare plan, perhaps paving the way for McCain’s expression of support.
Governor John Kasich of Ohio, a Republican who has opposed his party’s healthcare efforts and urged bipartisanship, tweeted on Sunday: “I agree with my friend [McCain]: a sustainable solution to healthcare requires a bipartisan solution & regular order.”Governor John Kasich of Ohio, a Republican who has opposed his party’s healthcare efforts and urged bipartisanship, tweeted on Sunday: “I agree with my friend [McCain]: a sustainable solution to healthcare requires a bipartisan solution & regular order.”