Reveals its version of ‘repeal and replace’ health package

The Senate unveiled its plan to repeal and replace ObamaCare on Thursday, a proposal that would cut Medicaid, eliminate penalties for people who don’t buy insurance, and kill tax hikes.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the Senate had to act because ex-President Barack Obama’s signature legislative achievement was on life support.

“Because ObamaCare isn’t working by nearly any measure, it is failed,” he said on the Senate floor.

“Policies contained in the discussion draft will repeal the mandate so Americans are no longer forced to buy insurance they don’t need or can’t afford.”

McConnell crafted the bill be- hind closed doors, angering Democrats and leaving even some Republicans skeptical.

“A lot of questions,” said Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC), explaining that most of his caucus had not even seen the plan. “There wasn’t paper. Until they get a chance to read it, I’m sure they won’t firm up.”

The bill, which closely resembles legislation passed last month by the House, would:

Phase out extra funding to 31 states that expanded Medicaid, and in 2021 begin putting the entire Medicaid program on a fixed budget, ending ObamaCare’s unlimited entitlement — a provision that would drastically cut funding for high-spending Medicaid states like New York.

Allow states to redefine what constitutes mandated essential health benefits — which now in- clude emergency services, maternity care and prescription drugs, among others — potentially cutting benefits.

Require insurance companies to cover preexisting conditions, unlike the House bill, which would allow insurers to charge sick people higher premiums.

Cut taxes on people making more than $200,000 a year, on investment income and on medical devices.

Retain a requirement that young people can remain on their parents’ policies until 26.

Provide billions to states and insurance companies to buttress markets that have been abandoned by insurers.

Michael D’Addio, a principal at accounting giant Marcum LLP who focuses on health care and taxes, said he found many simi-

larities between the House and Senate legislation.

“The biggest difference is the Senate bill doesn’t give states the right to opt out of [protections] for people with preexisting conditions,” D’Addio said. “I think the concern in the House bill that people with preexisting conditions might end up being charged enormous amounts for premiums is less in the Senate bill because that ability to opt out isn’t there.”

Like the House bill, the Senate’s draft would repeal the individual mandate — a penalty for those who fail to buy health insurance.

Policy experts said that would keep more young, healthy people out of the market, saving them money but potentially creating a sicker patient pool.

The Senate plan also keeps a House provision championed by Rep. Chris Collins (R-NY) that allows every county in New York state, except the five in the Big Apple, to avoid paying into the state’s Medicaid program, forcing the city to cough up more.

McConnell purposely described the plan as a “discussion draft” to mollify critics, including conservatives who complained that it doesn’t go far enough to fully repeal ObamaCare.

He and other senators said they expected extensive haggling and many changes before a bill is brought to a vote, which could happen as early as next week.

Democrats said the GOP did not allow enough time for proper debate. “I don’t think it gives enough time to thoroughly analyze the bill, but we’ll see when it comes out,” said Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY), who harshly criticized the GOP effort. “We live in the wealthiest country on earth. Surely, we can do better,” he said.

Medical professionals, meanwhile, also criticized the plan, which Republicans said would cut costs and not force Americans to buy insurance that they don’t want or need.

The American Academy of Pediatrics said the proposal would hurt children by scaling back Medicaid. The group’s president, Dr. Fernando Stein, said the plan was crafted without input from pediatricians and “would tear down” the progress the US has made by achieving insurance coverage for 95 percent of children.

President Trump campaigned on a promise to repeal ObamaCare, the 2010 law that extended insurance coverage to millions of Americans through subsidized private insurance and an expansion of Medicaid.

Trump had urged the GOP-led Senate to pass a more “generous” bill than the one narrowly approved by the House, whose version he privately called “mean.”

On Thursday, he praised the Senate proposal at an unrelated White House “Emerging Technology” event.

“It’s going to very good,” Trump said. “A little negotiation, but it’s going to be very good.”

He also gave it a major thumbs-up on Twitter several hours later. “I am very supportive of the Senate #HealthcareBill. Look forward to making it really special!” Trump tweeted. “Remember, ObamaCare is dead.”

About 23 million people would wind up without coverage under the House measure, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, including those who would voluntarily opt out after the individual mandate is repealed.

Given the opposition of all Senate Democrats, GOP leaders will need the support of at least 50 of the chamber’s 52 Republicans to ensure passage.

With four conservatives already expressing skepticism, the measure’s fate is uncertain.

The atmosphere in the Capitol was charged after the vote, with lawmakers speculating what would happen next and protesters clogging the hallways of the Senate.

Capitol Police arrested dozens, many yelling, “No cuts to Medicaid,” as they were led, carried or wheeled away.