Republicans suffer second healthcare setback
WASHINGTON: US Senate Republicans suffered a second stinging setback in as many days Wednesday in their drive to uproot Obamacare, when a plan to repeal the health care law — with no replacement at the ready — failed to advance in the chamber.
The washout has left Republicans — who only a day early rejoiced when the Senate agreed to proceed to a formal debate on health care — struggling to find consensus on how to fulfi ll President Donald Trump’s pledge to scrap the 2010 Affordable Care Act.
Senate leaders have said they intend to pass a bill by the end of this week, but that path remained murky — and the outcome in doubt.
The session adjourned after a series of votes on minor provisions and with Democrats complaining that the Republicans are being cagey about what their next move will be.
In the new defeat for the Republicans, seven of their side joined Democrats in opposing a proposal which would have ended Obamacare’s insurance exchanges and its taxes on the wealthy; rolled back the expansion of Medicaid, the health insurance programme for the poor and the disabled; and ended mandates compelling individuals to have insurance and for companies to provide it.
The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office ( CBO) forecast that 32 million Americans would become uninsured over the next decade should the bill become law.
The defeat came just hours after the Senate voted down a broader Republican plan to repeal and replace Barack Obama’s signature health care reforms.
It was a bleak set of outcomes for Republicans after a whirlwind session Tuesday at which Senator John McCain, recently diagnosed with brain cancer, earned a warm ovation as he returned to the Senate to cast key votes.
While Trump had applauded Republicans for fi nally moving to a debate that could lead to “truly great health care for the American people,” the moment of victory proved temporary.
Under pressure to emerge with tangible results, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was putting a variety of options forward.
“I know members in both parties have health care ideas they’d like to offer,” he said. “If you’ve got one, bring it to the floor.” — AFP