Evening Round Up: "Still Lacks The Votes" Edition
Look, we get it, if at first you don’t succeed. But in this case, Leader McConnell still doesn’t have the votes after unveiling yet another version of TrumpCare, which is even worse than the last. A look at the news shows Senate Republicans are still deeply divided and lack the votes to pass their bill - which is why they should abandon this bill and work with Democrats to improve the Affordable Care Act:
Washington Post: Revised Senate health-care bill still lacks the votes to pass
“The Senate GOP’s latest attempt to rewrite the Affordable Care Act showed few signs of gaining traction Thursday, further imperiling the party’s quest to overhaul Barack Obama’s 2010 health-care law.”
“At least three Republican senators said Thursday they remained opposed to bringing up the revised bill, while two rank-and-file Republicans announced plans to offer their own health-care plan just as leaders released an updated bill of their own. Senate leaders need the support of 50 of their 52 members to pass the legislation.”
New York Times: Senate Republicans Unveil New Health Bill but Divisions Remain
“Senate Republican leaders unveiled a fresh proposal to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.”
“But the measure was immediately imperiled when two Republican senators, moderate Susan Collins of Maine and conservative Rand Paul of Kentucky, announced they were not swayed — even on a procedural motion to take up the bill next week, a motion to proceed.”
Politico: Senate Republicans one vote away from Obamacare repeal failure
“The Senate Republican effort to repeal Obamacare is on the cusp of defeat, with two Republican senators threatening to kill the measure before the Senate can even start debate.”
“GOP leaders released a modified draft of their legislation to repeal and replace Obamacare Thursday, hoping to win senators' support with additional funding for combating opioids and a controversial measure that would allow insurance companies to sell plans that don’t comply with Obamacare consumer protections.”
“But the plan immediately ran into near-fatal opposition.”
Wall Street Journal: Revised Senate GOP Legislation Would Allow Insurers to Sell Cheaper Plans With Fewer Benefits
“Senate Republican leadership on Thursday released revised legislation that would topple major parts of the Affordable Care Act, impose steep cuts on Medicaid, and allow insurers to sell cheaper plans that don’t meet the current law’s regulations.”
“The margins for passage are slim. Mr. McConnell can afford to lose only two votes, assuming no Democrats support the legislation, with Vice President Mike Pence breaking any tie.”
Roll Call: New GOP Health Care Draft Keeps Major Medicaid Changes
“The updated Senate Republican health care bill to overhaul the U.S. health insurance system makes a number of tweaks designed to win the support of GOP holdouts, but maintains the significant changes to the Medicaid program that continues to be the foundation of the entire legislation.”
“A number of members expressed hesitation over the previous draft, and some have already even come out against the changes included in Thursday’s version.”