Republicans reveal latest attempt to overturn Obamacare

REPUBLICANS in the US Senate unveiled their plan to dismantle “Obamacare” in the latest attempt to achieve one of their cornerstone campaign pledges.

The 142-page draft Senate bill was an attempt at compromise between conservative and moderate Republicans after a similar bill that passed in the House of Representatives last month proved unpopular with voters. US president Donald Trump had called the House bill “mean” and urged senators to produce a version with more “heart”.

Publication of the new bill marked a crucial phase in Republicans’ sevenyear quest to end President Barack Obama’s signature healthcare law.

Mitch Mcconnell, the Republican senate majority leader, said: “Republicans believe we have a responsibility to act and we are.”

The bill will face a vote in the Senate as soon as next week and Republicans, who hold 52 seats, can only afford to lose three of their own votes, with Democrats unanimously opposed. Mr Trump said: “How do you like the healthcare folks? It’s going to be great. A little negotiation but it’s going to be great.”

Last night protesters, some in wheelchairs, gathered in a corridor outside Mr Mcconnell’s office. Several dozen people were arrested as they chanted “Don’t touch Medicaid, save our liberty”.

Mr Obama attacked what he called the “fundamental meanness” of the Republican bill, and urged them to reconsider. “It’s a massive transfer of wealth from middle-class and poor families to the richest people in America,” he said.

He admitted Obamacare “was not perfect”, but said it helped millions of Americans and should be built upon, rather than scrapped.

Measures in the draft bill included repealing a tax on high earners imposed to help pay for Obamacare, and curbs on Obamacare’s expanded assistance for the poor through the Medicaid programme.