Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has abandoned efforts to pass a replacement of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). McConnell will instead seek a vote to repeal only and delay its implementation for two years.The two-year delay would give lawmakers time to write a replacement.
McConnell’s decision came after Senators Mike Lee and Jerry Moran announced their opposition to the plan. Senators Rand Paul and Susan Collins previously announced their opposition to it, leaving the bill without sufficient support to pass.
President Trump tweeted on Monday night: “Republicans should just REPEAL failing ObamaCare now & work on a new Healthcare Plan that will start from a clean slate. Dems will join in!”
It’s good news for now. But it’s not over yet.
The Republican health care bill is the most dangerous piece of legislation in the modern history of our country. It would throw 22 million Americans off of health insurance, cut Medicaid by $800 billion, substantially raise premiums for older workers, defund Planned Parenthood and make it very difficult for those with pre-existing conditions to get affordable health insurance. The recent announcement that the Republicans do not have the votes to go forward on this disastrous legislation is a great victory for the millions of Americans who stood up and fought back, and I congratulate all of them for their hard work. In this country we should not be throwing millions off of health insurance. We should be guaranteeing health care for all as a right.
ByPeter Sullivan
