US Senate poised for health care showdown

Senate Republicans were to begin their final push yesterday to unravel Obamacare, seeking to wrap up their sevenyear offensive against former Democratic President Barack Obama’s signature health care law that extended insurance coverage to millions.

Republicans leaders hope a pared-down “skinny” bill that repeals several key Obamacare provisions can gain enough support to pass after several attempts at broader legislation failed to win approval earlier this week.

The skinny bill’s details were to be released at some point yesterday, before the Senate embarks on a marathon voting session that could extend into Friday morning.

The legislation is expected to eliminate mandates requiring individuals and employers to obtain or provide health insurance, and abolish a tax on medical device manufacturers.

Two-month push

The effort comes after a chaotic two-month push by Senate Republicans to pass their version of legislation that made it out of the Republican-controlled House of Representatives in May.

Members of the party, including President Donald Trump, campaigned on a pledge to repeal and replace what they say is a failing law that allows the government to intrude in people’s health care decisions.

Senator John Cornyn, the chamber’s No. 2 Republican, said the bill, once approved, would go to a special negotiating committee of lawmakers from both chambers that would reconcile the House and Senate versions into a single piece of legislation.

Republican leaders had tapped a group to craft legislation largely behind closed doors, exposing rifts within the party.

While conservatives said the group’s proposals did not go far enough, moderates said they could not support measures estimated to deprive tens of millions of health insurance.