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Republicans offer 'frenzy of special deals' in effort to repeal Obamacare Republicans offer 'frenzy of special deals' in effort to repeal Obamacare
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Senate Republicans are offering new deals to key lawmakers in the hope of forcing through repeal of the Affordable Care Act that would slash the American government’s spending on healthcare for the poor and disabled. Senate Republicans are offering new deals to key lawmakers in the hope of forcing through repeal of the Affordable Care Act that would slash the government’s spending on healthcare for poor and disabled Americans.
Republican support for the so-called Graham-Cassidy health bill, which would repeal the ACA, better known as Obamacare, appears to remains soft at best after a weekend when senators expressed doubt about the legislation even as it was being tweaked and revised behind the scenes. Republican support for the so-called Graham-Cassidy health bill, which would repeal the ACA, better known as Obamacare, appears to remains soft at best after a weekend when senators expressed doubt about the legislation even as it was being revised behind the scenes.
The senate must vote on a bill before a Saturday deadline if Republicans are to pass it with a simple majority, but critics led by Senator John McCain, are concerned that usual due process has been ignored. The Senate must vote on a bill before a Saturday deadline if Republicans are to pass it with a simple majority, but critics, led by Senator John McCain, are concerned that usual due process has been ignored.
The bill is set to have its only public hearing at a Senate committee on Monday afternoon and its cost and consequences will be subject to only a “preliminary analysis” from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office.The bill is set to have its only public hearing at a Senate committee on Monday afternoon and its cost and consequences will be subject to only a “preliminary analysis” from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office.
“Right now, there is a frenzy of special deals being considered, [and] elbow twisting behind the scenes to bring swing votes from off the fence,” Senator Ron Wyden told NPR on Monday. Wyden is the ranking Democrat on the Senate finance committee, where the Graham-Cassidy bill will on Monday have its only public hearing. “The fight is far from over.” “Right now, there is a frenzy of special deals being considered, [and] elbow-twisting behind the scenes to bring swing votes from off the fence,” Senator Ron Wyden told NPR on Monday. Wyden is the ranking Democrat on the Senate finance committee. “The fight is far from over.”
Donald Trump and Senate Republicans are trying to hurry the bill through Congress to meet both a seven-year campaign pledge and to free up cash for future tax reform.Donald Trump and Senate Republicans are trying to hurry the bill through Congress to meet both a seven-year campaign pledge and to free up cash for future tax reform.
In order to do that without a single Democratic vote, Republicans want to pass the bill using a process called “reconciliation”. That allows Republicans to pass bills that affect taxes and spending using just 51 votes. Senate Republicans have 52 votes and the tie-breaking power of vice-president Mike Pence.In order to do that without a single Democratic vote, Republicans want to pass the bill using a process called “reconciliation”. That allows Republicans to pass bills that affect taxes and spending using just 51 votes. Senate Republicans have 52 votes and the tie-breaking power of vice-president Mike Pence.
But the reconciliation process is time bound, tied to a budget resolution Congress passed earlier this year. The deadline to pass a health reform bill with only 51 votes is 30 September. But the reconciliation process is time-bound, tied to a budget resolution Congress passed earlier this year. The deadline to pass a health reform bill with only 51 votes is 30 September.
Two Republican senators have already vowed to vote “no” on the bill – Senators John McCain of Arizona and Rand Paul of Kentucky. That means Republicans need to attract the crucial swing votes of the two female senators who tanked the last Republican health bill with “no” votes.Two Republican senators have already vowed to vote “no” on the bill – Senators John McCain of Arizona and Rand Paul of Kentucky. That means Republicans need to attract the crucial swing votes of the two female senators who tanked the last Republican health bill with “no” votes.
One of those, Senator Susan Collins of Maine, told CNN on Sunday that “it’s very difficult for me to envision a scenario” where she would vote yes.One of those, Senator Susan Collins of Maine, told CNN on Sunday that “it’s very difficult for me to envision a scenario” where she would vote yes.
Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska has not released a position. Nevertheless, pressure from Alaska Governor Bill Walker to vote “no” has been steadfast. Walker said any change to Medicaid would, “would likely result in drastic cuts”, in his state. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska has not released a position. Nevertheless, pressure from Alaska governor Bill Walker to vote “no” has been steadfast. Walker said any change to Medicaid would, “would likely result in drastic cuts”, in his state.
Over the weekend, Republicans have rebalanced proposal federal funding to states, including to specifically to swing vote states. According to Politico, Alaska, Arizona and Kentucky, would all receive more federal funds.Over the weekend, Republicans have rebalanced proposal federal funding to states, including to specifically to swing vote states. According to Politico, Alaska, Arizona and Kentucky, would all receive more federal funds.
The bill and the process have proved wildly unpopular with the American public. Just 20% of Americans support the measure, according to a CBS poll released Monday. Most Republicans don’t support the bill.The bill and the process have proved wildly unpopular with the American public. Just 20% of Americans support the measure, according to a CBS poll released Monday. Most Republicans don’t support the bill.
The Graham-Cassidy bill, named for its Republican sponsors, would make massive cuts to Medicaid, a government health insurance program for the poor that insures 70 million people, and would remove most roadblocks for deregulating health insurance in the US.The Graham-Cassidy bill, named for its Republican sponsors, would make massive cuts to Medicaid, a government health insurance program for the poor that insures 70 million people, and would remove most roadblocks for deregulating health insurance in the US.
That could leave millions of Americans uninsured, and in the financially perilous position of paying out-of-pocket for care in the world’s most expensive health system. Though several independent groups have analyzed the bill, the Congressional Budget Office is considered the most authoritative. Its “preliminary analysis” is expected Monday afternoon.That could leave millions of Americans uninsured, and in the financially perilous position of paying out-of-pocket for care in the world’s most expensive health system. Though several independent groups have analyzed the bill, the Congressional Budget Office is considered the most authoritative. Its “preliminary analysis” is expected Monday afternoon.