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McCain torpedoes Republican Obamacare repeal plan again | McCain torpedoes Republican Obamacare repeal plan again |
(35 minutes later) | |
Senator John McCain has said he cannot support his fellow Republicans' latest effort to repeal Obamacare, dealing it a potentially fatal blow. | Senator John McCain has said he cannot support his fellow Republicans' latest effort to repeal Obamacare, dealing it a potentially fatal blow. |
The Arizona senator, who is battling brain cancer, said he "cannot in good conscience" vote for the new plan, which President Donald Trump backs. | The Arizona senator, who is battling brain cancer, said he "cannot in good conscience" vote for the new plan, which President Donald Trump backs. |
Mr McCain said it was wrong to pass such far-reaching legislation without input from both main parties. | Mr McCain said it was wrong to pass such far-reaching legislation without input from both main parties. |
It is the second time he has thwarted his party leadership on the issue. | It is the second time he has thwarted his party leadership on the issue. |
Republicans need 50 votes in a 100-seat chamber they control 52-48 to succeed. Democrats are united in opposition. | Republicans need 50 votes in a 100-seat chamber they control 52-48 to succeed. Democrats are united in opposition. |
But Mr McCain's objection may doom conservatives' seven-year campaign to erase Democratic former President Barack Obama's signature legislative achievement of 2010. | |
In a statement on Friday, Mr McCain said such a bill demands extensive hearings, debate and amendment. | In a statement on Friday, Mr McCain said such a bill demands extensive hearings, debate and amendment. |
"That is the only way we might achieve bipartisan consensus on lasting reform," he wrote, "without which a policy that affects one-fifth of our economy and every single American family will be subject to reversal with every change of administration and congressional majority." | "That is the only way we might achieve bipartisan consensus on lasting reform," he wrote, "without which a policy that affects one-fifth of our economy and every single American family will be subject to reversal with every change of administration and congressional majority." |
Mr McCain said he could not support a rushed bill "without knowing how much it will cost, how it will effect [sic] insurance premiums, and how many people will be helped or hurt by it". | Mr McCain said he could not support a rushed bill "without knowing how much it will cost, how it will effect [sic] insurance premiums, and how many people will be helped or hurt by it". |
One other Republican senator - Rand Paul - is also against the party's latest bill. | One other Republican senator - Rand Paul - is also against the party's latest bill. |
Susan Collins of Maine indicated on Friday afternoon she may join the opposition to her party's health legislation. | Susan Collins of Maine indicated on Friday afternoon she may join the opposition to her party's health legislation. |
She said she was worried it did not do enough to safeguard patients with pre-existing conditions. | She said she was worried it did not do enough to safeguard patients with pre-existing conditions. |
"I'm leaning against the bill," Ms Collins said at a constituency event. | "I'm leaning against the bill," Ms Collins said at a constituency event. |
At least four other Republican senators are undecided: Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, Rob Portman and Jerry Moran. | At least four other Republican senators are undecided: Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, Rob Portman and Jerry Moran. |
Back to the drawing board | |
Analysis by Anthony Zurcher, BBC North America reporter | |
As several Republican senators explained - ones who were firm "yesses" - the main attraction for the plan was that it was the only plan on the table. | |
Now it appears Republicans will have to go back to the drawing board. | |
Although the end of September is the deadline for passing a bill with a simple majority in the Senate for this federal budget, there's no reason the party couldn't start the wheels turning for another vote next year - or, conceivably, simply change the rules, as Donald Trump has suggested. | |
None of that will alter the simple dynamic that made itself clear over the course of the past months, however. | |
The Republican Party, despite campaigning ferociously for Obamacare repeal for nearly seven years, could never agree on how to turn those promises into reality without sending the healthcare industry into a tailspin. | |
Follow @awzurcher | |
The Republican leadership evidently hoped South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the bill's authors, could persuade his close friend Mr McCain to vote for the bill. | |
Undeterred, Mr Graham vowed on Friday: "We press on." | |
President Trump has been phoning lawmakers and state governors in a bid to tilt the scales in favour of the bill. | |
US Vice-President Mike Pence said on Thursday the so-called Graham-Cassidy bill was their "last best chance" to repeal Obamacare. | US Vice-President Mike Pence said on Thursday the so-called Graham-Cassidy bill was their "last best chance" to repeal Obamacare. |
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was planning to bring the legislation to a vote next week, but it is not clear now if that will go ahead. | Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was planning to bring the legislation to a vote next week, but it is not clear now if that will go ahead. |
Republicans are still reeling from the collapse in July of their efforts to secure Senate passage of previous legislation to repeal Obamacare. | Republicans are still reeling from the collapse in July of their efforts to secure Senate passage of previous legislation to repeal Obamacare. |
A dramatic late-night 'no' vote from Mr McCain - just days after he was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour - sunk that bill, too. | |
According to analysis released on Friday, if the Graham-Cassidy bill were to pass, 32 million fewer Americans would have health insurance by 2027. | According to analysis released on Friday, if the Graham-Cassidy bill were to pass, 32 million fewer Americans would have health insurance by 2027. |
The non-partisan Brookings Institution said their findings "likely understates the reductions in insurance coverage". | The non-partisan Brookings Institution said their findings "likely understates the reductions in insurance coverage". |
The new bill, also drafted by Senator Bill Cassidy, would give states money in block grants to run their own healthcare programmes. | |
But critics says that when left to the states, the money going into the Medicaid programme for people on low incomes would diminish. | But critics says that when left to the states, the money going into the Medicaid programme for people on low incomes would diminish. |
Republicans have long deplored Obamacare, known formally as the Affordable Care Act, as government overreach into the US healthcare system. |