Republicans in the U.S. Senate on Thursday unveiled a bill that would dramatically transform the nation's Medicaid program, make significant changes to the federal health law's tax credits that help lower-income people buy insurance and allow states to water down changes to some of the law's coverage guarantees.
One of the most controversial aspects of the senate bill is its treatment of Medicaid. That group said the legislation did not go far enough in its repeal of Obamacare.
Like the House bill, they said, the Senate bill would no longer penalize individuals and employers for failing to have health insurance. He said Friday he would vote against the bill in its current form but did not rule out supporting a revamped, final version of it. "There isn't anything in this bill that would lower premiums".
Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader, is expected to bring the healthcare bill to a vote next week. The draft bill includes cuts to Medicaid for the poor and disabled, trims to other Obamacare subsidies, and tax cuts for the wealthy.
"I think that they'll probably get there, we'll have to see", President Trump said.
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., speaks to reporters at the Capitol after Republicans released their long-awaited bill to scuttle much of President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, June 22, 2017.
Sandoval, a Republican who chose to opt into expanding Medicaid, said 210,000 received health coverage because of the decision.
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All of the nations involved are USA allies, and Qatar and Bahrain host large US military bases. Qatar has long denied that it supports extremist groups and funds terrorism.
Republicans held 52 seats in the 100-member chamber, which means it can not afford losing more than three of its votes.
"I'm pleased that we were able to arrive at a draft that incorporates input from so many different members who represent so many different constituents, who are facing so many different challenges", Sen.
Medicaid - the program created to help poor Americans get healthcare - will stop being expanded by 2021, meaning millions of them will not be able to access treatment.
Heller expressed particular concerns about the bill's impact on Medicaid, and especially on states, such as Nevada, that expanded Medicaid under Obamacare.
"They have helped me a whole lot. I am really urging leadership to take the time, get this right, get us the information so the American public can really evaluate this - and quite honestly, let's prove some of the rhetoric false", he said. Reports from inside, however, suggest it might be even tougher on Medicaid, the health-care program for the poor and near-poor. "That's not going to happen with us".
Republican Senator Rob Portman says he looks forward to reviewing the Congressional Budget Office's fiscal analysis of the GOP proposal.
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