Revolt delays vote on healthcare bill
UNITED STATES: US Senate Republican leaders postponed a vote on a healthcare overhaul yesterday after resistance from members of their party, and President Donald Trump summoned Republican senators to the White House to urge them to break the impasse.
The delay has put the future of a longtime top Republican priority in doubt, amid concerns about the Senate bill from both moderate and conservative Republicans. With Democrats united in their opposition, Republicans can afford to lose only two votes among their own ranks in the Senate.
The legislation would repeal major elements of Obamacare and shrink the Medicaid government healthcare programme for the poor.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell had been pushing for a vote ahead of the July 4 recess.
‘‘We’re going to press on,’’ McConnell said after announcing the delay, adding that leaders would keep working to make senators ‘‘comfortable’’ with the bill.
At the White House meeting with most of the 52 Republican senators, Trump said it was vital to reach an agreement on the Senate healthcare measure because Obamacare was ‘‘melting down’’.
‘‘So we’re going to talk and we’re going to see what we can do. We’re getting very close,’’ Trump told the senators. But he added: ’’If we don’t get it done, it’s just going to be something that we’re not going to like, and that’s OK.’’
McConnell said Republican leaders would work through the week to win over the 50 senators needed to pass the bill, with a vote planned after the recess. VicePresident Mike Pence could provide the crucial vote needed to break a tie.
Three more Republicans, Rob Portman of Ohio, Jerry Moran of Kansas and Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, said after the delay was announced that they opposed the draft bill. Portman and Capito cited its Medicaid cutbacks and how that would hurt efforts to combat the opioid epidemic that has taken a heavy toll in their states. – Reuters