The Senate will debate how to proceed with healthcare efforts and is expected to vote on simply repealing the Affordable Care Act without a replacement.
July 26 (UPI) — The Senate on Wednesday will debate how to proceed with healthcare reform efforts and is expected to vote on simply repealing the Affordable Care Act without a replacement.
The Senate on Tuesday rejected the latest revised Republican proposal — the Better Care Reconciliation Act — to repeal and replace the ACA, also known as Obamacare, with a 43-57 vote.
On Wednesday, the Senate will vote on repealing the ACA without providing a replacement. The legislation resembles a bill the Senate passed in 2015 but one that former President Barack Obama vetoed in early 2016.
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., one of the Republican senators who opposed the bill spearheaded by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, supports the repeal-only legislation.
“Repealing mandates and taxes, without new spending and bailouts. This is the path I’ve been urging, and what I discussed with [President Donald Trump] , ” Paul said in a statement. “If this is indeed the plan, I will vote to proceed and I will vote for any all measures that are clean repeal.”
The repeal-only measure is not expected to pass a vote expected to be held at about noon. Republicans are attempting to pass the repeal bill through special budget rules — limiting debate to 20 hours and preventing a filibuster from Democrats.
The Congressional Budget Office and Joint Committee on Taxation last week said the repealing without replacing the ACA would result in 32 million more uninsured people by 2026 and higher premiums.
Trump on Wednesday criticized Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, who on Tuesday was one of two Republicans who voted against beginning debate to repeal the ACA.
“Senator [Lisa Murkowski] of the great state of Alaska really let the Republicans, and our country, down yesterday. Too bad!” Trump tweeted.
