STINGING OBAMACARE BLOW FOR TRUMP

3 Republicans join Democrats to vote against ‘skinny’ bill

IN a stinging blow to President Donald Trump, United States Senate Republicans failed yesterday to dismantle Obamacare, falling short on a major campaign promise and perhaps ending a seven-year quest by their party to gut the healthcare law.

Trump reacted by urging Republican congressional leaders to let Obamacare “implode” rather than work to fix it.

“Three Republicans and 48 Democrats let the American people down,” he tweeted.

Republican senators John McCain, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski had crossed party lines to join the Democrats in rejecting a “skinny repeal” bill that would have killed some parts of the Affordable Care Act.

“This is clearly a disappointing moment,” Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said.

“The American people are going to regret that we couldn’t find a better way forward.”

The setback leaves Trump without a major legislative win after more than six months in power, despite Republicans controlling the White House, Senate and House.

His supporters had expected him to make rapid changes to healthcare, taxes and infrastructure spending.

Trump has repeatedly berated congressional Republicans for being unable to overcome internal divisions to repeal Obamacare, but has offered no legislation himself, nor any clear guidance on what he would like to do about replacing the law.

The Affordable Care Act is former Democratic president Barack Obama’s signature domestic achievement.

It provides health insurance to millions of previously uninsured Americans. Agencies