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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) | |
Senator John McCain has said he will oppose the Republicans' latest healthcare proposal, likely dooming his party's effort to repeal and replace Obamacare. | |
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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