Post by Jessiealan on Sept 13, 2017 12:26:02 GMT -5
Republicans have been searching for eight months now to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. That effort effectively died on the floor of the Senate in July when the party couldn't get 51 votes do little more than punt the serious health care policy questions to a conference committee.
Still, a small group of Republicans led by Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana are trying to bring the effort back before it's too late.
The Senate's parliamentarian has suggested that the GOP only has until the end of September before their reconciliation vehicle -- the budget bill that allows them to pass health care with a simple majority -- expires.
Graham and Cassidy are expected to unveil Wednesday their latest proposal to overhaul health care, but rank-and-file members aren't sounding too optimistic. Timing is a big reason.
"We are in the fourth quarter with about 30 seconds left," said Sen. Tim Scott, a Republican from South Carolina who added that the bill was the last "bullet left in the chamber."
There are no signs that the Graham-Cassidy plan would have momentum after months of exhaustive GOP health care soul searching. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins -- two of the most notable hold outs on the last effort -- have given no indication they'd sign on. And, Sen. Rand Paul, a Republican from Kentucky who did vote for the "skinny repeal" in July, has said he wouldn't support it. It only takes three Republican senators to object and the bill can't pass under reconciliation.
Asked what chance Graham-Cassidy had of passing by the end of the month. Paul was blunt.
"Zero," he said. "I'm not hearing anybody talk seriously about it."
more
www.cnn.com/2017/09/12/politics/obamacare-repeal-efforts-congress/index.html
Still, a small group of Republicans led by Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana are trying to bring the effort back before it's too late.
The Senate's parliamentarian has suggested that the GOP only has until the end of September before their reconciliation vehicle -- the budget bill that allows them to pass health care with a simple majority -- expires.
Graham and Cassidy are expected to unveil Wednesday their latest proposal to overhaul health care, but rank-and-file members aren't sounding too optimistic. Timing is a big reason.
"We are in the fourth quarter with about 30 seconds left," said Sen. Tim Scott, a Republican from South Carolina who added that the bill was the last "bullet left in the chamber."
There are no signs that the Graham-Cassidy plan would have momentum after months of exhaustive GOP health care soul searching. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins -- two of the most notable hold outs on the last effort -- have given no indication they'd sign on. And, Sen. Rand Paul, a Republican from Kentucky who did vote for the "skinny repeal" in July, has said he wouldn't support it. It only takes three Republican senators to object and the bill can't pass under reconciliation.
Asked what chance Graham-Cassidy had of passing by the end of the month. Paul was blunt.
"Zero," he said. "I'm not hearing anybody talk seriously about it."
more
www.cnn.com/2017/09/12/politics/obamacare-repeal-efforts-congress/index.html
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