After weeks of behind-the-scenes discussions, Senate Republicans unveiled their plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. The Better Care Reconciliation Act authored largely by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell rolls back many requirements included under President Obama's signature healthcare plan.
The Senate plan would:
- Phase out the Medicaid expansion to low-income Americans
- Provide smaller subsidies for insurance plans that offer less coverage
- Repeal the individual mandate requiring Americans to buy insurance
- Allow states to opt out of requiring certain essential health benefits like maternity care and mental health treatment
In addition to Democrats, who are in lock-step opposition to the GOP Senate health care bill, four conservative Republican senators have rejected the plan calling it "Obamacare light." Sens. Rand Paul (KY), Ron Johnson (WI), Ted Cruz (TX) and Mike Lee (UT) released a joint statement saying they're "not ready to vote for this bill."
The Senate plan is similar to the American Health Care Act passed by the House last month. President Trump touted its passage in a Rose Garden ceremony but recently has called it "mean" and "cold-hearted." Trump tweeted his support for the Senate bill late Thursday.
All of the debate is racing towards a vote next week before the July 4th Congressional recess. McConnell’s schedule leaves little time for public debate or amendments. The Congressional Budget Office will release its score of the bill next week.
Robert Costa will explore the details of the Republican prescription for health care and the real-world impact with:
Sarah Kliff of Vox
Susan Davis of NPR
Philip Rucker of The Washington Post
Kelly O'Donnell of NBC News
