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Republican Obamacare repeal plan in tatters | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A last-ditch effort by Republicans to repeal Obamacare is in tatters after a key senator came out in opposition. | A last-ditch effort by Republicans to repeal Obamacare is in tatters after a key senator came out in opposition. |
Despite a call from President Donald Trump and promises of money for her state, Susan Collins said she could not back the "deeply flawed" bill. | Despite a call from President Donald Trump and promises of money for her state, Susan Collins said she could not back the "deeply flawed" bill. |
It was a major blow for the president and Republican leadership, who have made Obamacare's repeal a top priority. | It was a major blow for the president and Republican leadership, who have made Obamacare's repeal a top priority. |
The party's last attempt to undo former President Barack Obama's 2010 healthcare law collapsed in July. | The party's last attempt to undo former President Barack Obama's 2010 healthcare law collapsed in July. |
Ms Collins, a moderate Republican from Maine, said she objected to the Graham-Cassidy bill's sweeping cut in funding to Medicaid. | Ms Collins, a moderate Republican from Maine, said she objected to the Graham-Cassidy bill's sweeping cut in funding to Medicaid. |
One in five people in her home state depend on the programme for low income citizens and disabled children. | One in five people in her home state depend on the programme for low income citizens and disabled children. |
Ms Collins also said the bill weakened protections for people with pre-existing conditions. | Ms Collins also said the bill weakened protections for people with pre-existing conditions. |
She joins Republican Senators John McCain (Arizona) and Rand Paul (Kentucky) in rejecting the proposal. | She joins Republican Senators John McCain (Arizona) and Rand Paul (Kentucky) in rejecting the proposal. |
Senator Ted Cruz of Texas has also withheld his support and demanded changes. | Senator Ted Cruz of Texas has also withheld his support and demanded changes. |
Senators Lindsey Graham and Bill Cassidy, authors of the bill, had offered to boost federal healthcare funds by 43% in Maine. | Senators Lindsey Graham and Bill Cassidy, authors of the bill, had offered to boost federal healthcare funds by 43% in Maine. |
They have also dangled sweeteners for other states with wavering senators. | They have also dangled sweeteners for other states with wavering senators. |
Republicans hold a slim 52-48 majority in the Senate and must pass the bill by more than 50 votes before a 30 September deadline. | Republicans hold a slim 52-48 majority in the Senate and must pass the bill by more than 50 votes before a 30 September deadline. |
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wanted to hold a vote this week, but that looks increasingly unlikely. | Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wanted to hold a vote this week, but that looks increasingly unlikely. |
Ms Collins announced her opposition shortly after a damning assessment from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office. | Ms Collins announced her opposition shortly after a damning assessment from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office. |
It said millions of people would lose coverage for high-cost medical events if the bill became law. | It said millions of people would lose coverage for high-cost medical events if the bill became law. |
The CBO also found that federal spending on Medicaid would be cut by about $1tn (£750bn) from 2017-26. | The CBO also found that federal spending on Medicaid would be cut by about $1tn (£750bn) from 2017-26. |
The Senate held its first hearing all year on the proposed Obamacare repeal on Monday, but it was disrupted by protesters. | The Senate held its first hearing all year on the proposed Obamacare repeal on Monday, but it was disrupted by protesters. |
Police arrested 181 demonstrators. | Police arrested 181 demonstrators. |
The protesters, many of whom were in wheelchairs, were forcibly removed from the hearing room. | The protesters, many of whom were in wheelchairs, were forcibly removed from the hearing room. |
A new CBS poll released on Monday said 52% of Americans disapprove of the Graham-Cassidy bill, while 20% approve. | A new CBS poll released on Monday said 52% of Americans disapprove of the Graham-Cassidy bill, while 20% approve. |