Senate Republicans unveil revised healthcare bill | TheHill
Senate Republican leaders on Thursday unveiled a revised version of their bill to repeal and replace ObamaCare as they race toward a high-stakes vote next week.
The measure includes changes intended to winover additional votes, with leadership making concessions aimed at bringing both conservatives and moderates on board. (READ THE BILLHERE.)
But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellMitch McConnellSenate energy bill would fan the flames of climate change Graham: 'ObamaCare was designed to collapse' Pence pitches governors on ObamaCare repeal bill MORE (R-Ky.) is facing a tough task in finding enough votes to pass the bill. Sens. Susan CollinsSusan CollinsTrump lawyer heads to Sunday shows to launch full-court defense Sunday shows preview: Senate healthcare debate rages as GOP leaders eye vote New GOP health bill puts centrists in vise MORE (R-Maine) and Rand PaulRand PaulTrump lawyer heads to Sunday shows to launch full-court defense Sunday shows preview: Senate healthcare debate rages as GOP leaders eye vote New GOP health bill puts centrists in vise MORE (R-Ky.) appear to be firmly against the measure, and one other defection would kill the bill.
Importantly, the bill largely keeps the Medicaid sections the same, meaning that deeper cuts to the program will still begin in 2025, and the funds for ObamaCares expansion of Medicaid will still end in 2024.
The changes to Medicaid have emerged as a top concern for moderates such asSens. Rob PortmanRob PortmanPence pitches governors on ObamaCare repeal bill The Hill's 12:30 Report Kasich opposes revised Senate ObamaCare repeal bill MORE (R-Ohio), Shelley Moore CapitoShelley Moore CapitoNew GOP health bill puts centrists in vise Centrist Republicans push back on GOP healthcare bill Five takeaways from the GOP's healthcare reboot MORE (R-W.Va.) and Lisa MurkowskiLisa MurkowskiNew GOP health bill puts centrists in vise Centrist Republicans push back on GOP healthcare bill Five takeaways from the GOP's healthcare reboot MORE (R-Alaska).
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) found that those Medicaid changes in the original bill would result in 15 million fewer people being enrolled in the program and cut spending by $772 billion over 10 years.
Collins said she still plans tovote against a motion to proceed to the bill, adding thatthe legislation should move through the normal committee process.
"My strong inclination and current intention is to vote no on the motion to proceed," Collinstold reporters after leaving a briefing on thelegislation.
"The only way I'd change my mind is if there's something in the new bill that wasn't discussed or that I didn't fully understand or the CBO estimate comes out and says they fixed the Medicaid cuts, which I don't think that's going to happen."
For the conservatives, the measure includes a version of an amendment from Sens. Ted CruzTed CruzNew GOP health bill puts centrists in vise Insurers warn Cruz provision will 'skyrocket' premiums for sick people Pence pitches governors on ObamaCare repeal bill MORE (R-Texas) and Mike LeeMike LeeIf Republicans have lost Moran, theyve lost the healthcare battle Centrist Republicans push back on GOP healthcare bill Five takeaways from the GOP's healthcare reboot MORE (R-Utah) aimed at allowing insurers to offer plans that do not meet all of ObamaCares regulations,including those protecting people with pre-existing conditions and mandating that plans cover certain services, such as maternity care and mental healthcare.
Conservatives argue the change would allow healthier people to buy cheaper plans, but moderates and many healthcare experts warn that premiums would spike for the sick people remaining in the more generous insuranceplans.
Cruz said he will support the bill so long as the provisions he sees as a priority are not changed in amendment votes on the floor.
"If this is the bill, I will support this bill,"Cruztold reporters after a meeting of GOP senators. "Now, if its amended and we lose the protections that lower premiums, my view could well change."
Senate Republicans had vowed to not change the ObamaCare protections for peoplefrom being charged more based on their health in their bill, which is why the debate over the Cruz-Lee amendment has been heated.
A Senate GOP aide saidThursdayit is possible that the Cruz amendment would not be analyzed by theCBO in time for the vote next week. It is possible the Department of Health and Human Services could provide an alternative analysis.
Lee cautioned that he was not involved in the changes to the proposal, including the amendment, and would have to review the new language before deciding whether to support it.
The bill does include new funding, $70 billion over seven years, aimed at easing costs for those sick people remaining in the ObamaCare plans.
However, the new measure does not boost the generosity of the tax credits, as some moderates wanted. It still replaces ObamaCares tax credits to help people afford insurance with a smaller, scaled-down tax credit that provides less assistance.
The Kaiser Family Foundation found premium costs would increase an average of 74 percent for the most popular healthcare plan, given the reduced assistance in the GOP bill.
The new measure will leave in place two ObamaCare taxes on the wealthy, in a departure from the initial bill.
That original measure lacked the support to pass, as more moderate members pointed to the CBO's finding that 22 million fewer people would have insurance over a decade.
Senate Republicans are now awaiting a new score of the revised legislation from the CBO, which could come early next week.
The new bill does include $45 billion to fight opioid addiction, but moderates such asCapito and Portman who hail from states where the problem is rampanthave said they also want changes to the Medicaid portion of the legislation.
Portman said his position on the bill had not changed, but he did not give a clear answer on whether he'd back his party on the procedural vote.
I'm the same position I've been in. I'm looking at the language, he said.
Capito also said she doesnt know whether shell vote to proceed to the bill.
We have another meeting this afternoon on the Medicaid cuts, she told reporters. I need to really look at it, look at the score; I still have concerns.
Asked if she would vote for the motion to proceed next week, she said, Wait and see.
In a change that could appeal to Murkowski, the bill sets aside 1 percent of the stability funds for states with costs that are 75 percent above the national average, which would benefit high-cost states like Alaska.
This story was updated at 3:15 p.m. Alexander Bolton contributed.
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Senate Republicans unveil revised healthcare bill | TheHill
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