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Healthcare bill: Latest Republican attempt at Obamacare repeal suffers grievous blow after John McCain announces opposition Healthcare bill: Latest Republican attempt at Obamacare repeal suffers grievous blow after John McCain announces opposition
(35 minutes later)
Republican Senator John McCain has said he will oppose the Senate's latest healthcare bill, likely dooming his party's effort to repeal and replace Obamacare.  Senator John McCain has said he will oppose the Republicans' latest healthcare proposal, likely dooming his party's effort to repeal and replace Obamacare. 
"I cannot in good conscience vote for the Graham-Cassidy proposal. I believe we could do better working together, Republicans and Democrats, and have not yet really tried," Mr McCain said in a statement, referring to the legislation drafted by fellow Republican senators Lindsey Graham and Bill Cassidy.  In a statement, the 81-year-old said he would not vote for the Graham-Cassidy bill, written by Republican Senators Bill Cassidy and Lindsey Graham, one of his closest friends in the Senate. 
"I cannot in good conscience vote for the Graham-Cassidy proposal," Mr McCain said. "I believe we could do better working together, Republicans and Democrats, and have not yet really tried. Nor could I support it without knowing how much it will cost, how it will effect insurance premiums, and how many people will be helped or hurt by it."
"I take no pleasure in announcing my opposition," he added.  "I take no pleasure in announcing my opposition," he added.  
Mr McCain had also helped to kill the Republicans' previous repeal effort in July. Mr McCain had also helped to kill the Republicans' previous repeal effort in July. 
The Graham-Cassidy measure, introduced last Wednesday, had gained momentum over the past week, reviving a fight many in Washington thought was over. 
The Centre on Budget and Policy Priorities, a left-leaning think tank, estimates that the legislation would push millions off their health insurance and weaken protections for people with pre-existing conditions. Meanwhile, Republicans assert that Obamcare has destabilised individual markets for health insurance and has forced consumers to buy insurance they do not want or cannot afford. 
Health insurers have come out against the bill as well as doctors, hospitals, AARP, patient advocates, multiple governors from both political parties and others.
Following Mr McCain's announcement of his decision about the bill, late-night host Jimmy Kimmel – who fiercely attacked the Graham-Cassidy proposal on his show Jimmy Kimmel Live – wrote on Twitter: "Thank you @SenJohnMcCain for being a hero again and again and now AGAIN". 
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