Senate Republican leaders unveiled their Obamacare Repeal Bill and gave the public its first glimpse at their plans to rewrite the American health care system.
Until final legislation is published, several senators say they are withholding their support of the bill. This leaves Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell short the 50 votes he needs to pass the bill.
A vote could be pushed to as early as next Thursday ahead of the July 4 recess, an attempt to decrease opposition to the bill.
GOP Sens. Ron Johnson, Mike Lee, Rand Paul and Ted Cruz have stated they are “not ready” to support, but are open to voting after further negotiations.
The 142-page bill plans to tear down large parts of the 2010 health law, overhaul one-sixth of the American economy and cap one of the nation’s biggest entitlement programs.
President Donald Trump was asked at a White House event about the Senate bill and replied “A little negotiation, but it’s going to be very good.”
One of the crucial questions about the bill is still left unanswered by the Congressional Budget Office, whether premiums would be reduced. The report, including the number of Americans likely to be insured under the new Republican plan, is due early next week.
Ironically called the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017, eliminates Obamacare mandates and millions of dollars in taxes on the rich and health industry. The bill also makes deep cuts to the long-term Medicaid program, though it keeps the structure of Obamacare’s insurance subsidies to help low-income citizens to buy insurance.
Another result of the bill would be the defunding of Planned Parenthood for one year.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Sen. Susan Collins have warned against the defunding of Planned Parenthood as part of the bill, expressing the impact on elderly citizens’ ability to afford coverage.
The journey to 50 votes, currently being chartered, is expected to be a narrow one, with Senate Democrats being unified in their resistance.
