GOP Senators Call for More Time to Debate, Change Health Care Bill

Kristopher Nichols | 26 June, 2017, 13:10

House Republicans have passed their health care bill, and Senate GOP leaders are driving toward a vote next week. They came up with five key issues to watch. Senate Republican leaders may rely on the deal-making former businessman to lean on conservative senators who are balking at the bill. Indeed, candidate Trump had started out promising no cuts to Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid.

Former President Barack Obama criticized a Republican Senate bill proposed Thursday that would repeal and replace parts of his signature Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, calling the measure bad for Americans and saying that it has "fundamental meanness" at its core. The legislation would phase out federal funding for Medicaid expansion - now covering about 11 million people in 31 states - beginning in 2020, and shift more of those costs back to states. That program is jointly funded by the states and the federal government.

The bill would cut and redesign the Medicaid program for low-income and disabled people, and erase taxes on higher earners and the medical industry that helped pay for the roughly 20 million Americans covered by Obama's law.

But somewhat ironically, it would actually increase the federal role in health insurance regulation by creating a new office at Health and Human Services to oversee the association health plans and their certification.

MARTIN: So what does the Senate bill do?

AHIP represents Anthem Inc, one of the largest sellers of health insurance on the Obamacare exchanges, and Cigna Corp, among others.

And like the House bill, it would pay for those cuts by dramatically reducing federal money for Medicaid, likely forcing states to make deep cuts in their health care programs for the poor.

The proposal released Thursday calls for a slower phase-out of the Medicaid expansion than a bill adopted earlier by the House.

But the rollbacks would likely end coverage for buprenorphine and methadone treatment for people who are now covered, since New Mexico will likely opt not to shoulder the cost of continuing to provide these services without a federal mandate to do so. "They're not addressing the root cause", he said, referring to rising health care costs. Interestingly, the people who have been most hurt by the Affordable Care Act are the people who earn too much to get tax credits but they buy their own insurance. Medicaid funding would be capped on a per-person basis.

In Oregon, lawmakers this week passed a health care tax meant to fix a $1.4 billion, two-year budget deficit attributed largely to Medicaid expansion costs. He said leaders were well aware of the policy priorities he has been pushing for the bill for many months.

Well, it's hard to say that you like the uniforms of the team that's got the guns pointed at you, trying to kill you.

For all others, the ACA offered two options. The Senate version doesn't appear to be much nicer.

"The health care bill would be so great if the Democrats and Republicans could get together, wrap their arms around it so that everybody is happy with it", Trump said.

James Winkler, a retired physician, waves a placard during a protest in Denver on June 23, 2017, targeting the Republican health bill. Medicaid provides health care not just for the indigent and disabled but also for the working poor - low-wage employees who can not afford health insurance, even the plans offered through their jobs. That helps keep premium costs in check.

The Senate bill would eliminate cost-sharing subsidies entirely. Layer upon layer of laws, rules and regulations have made our health care-financing system a complex mess, separating patients from direct payment for health care.

Abolishing the health-care law's mandate with no penalty for coverage lapses would destabilize the individual insurance market by leading healthy people to drop their coverage, leaving insurance companies with sicker, more costly plan members in their enrollee risk pool. "There's less revenue and more need", Clunies-Ross said.

Bill Underriner, president of Underriner Motors in Billings, serves on the national board for the American Cancer Society. He is one of four GOP senators to say they are opposed it but are open to negotiations, which could put the measure in immediate jeopardy.

Not 'that far off' from passing health overhaul

Philippines' Duterte not aware of US support against Islamists in Marawi

26 June 2017

GOP senators now oppose health care bill as written
As the debate intensifies over health care legislation, support is growing for the Affordable Care Act. Administration spokesmen insisted the bill does not cut Medicaid, simply reduce its growth.

Fate uncertain for Republican health bill
You may not agree with me, but we can probably agree that what is happening now is embarrassing, shameful and will do harm to us. Shortly after the 142-page bill was distributed, more than a half-dozen GOP lawmakers signaled concerns or initial opposition.

23 June 2017

Critics call for Amazon - Whole Foods deal to be blocked
And in a nod to the popularity of delivery companies like Blue Apron , Kroger and Whole Foods have been testing meal kits as well. Online delivery services and deep-discount chains are threatened to upend supermarkets' long-held perch in the food landscape.
Governors wary of Medicaid cost shift in Senate health bill
Meanwhile, health insurers that provide Medicaid coverage stand to lose if millions of the program's recipients become ineligible. McConnell said Democrats chose not to help frame the Bill, which Republicans say would fix a collapsing health marketplace.

24 June 2017

Indiana's ACA health insurance providers propose rate hikes
The ACA provides catastrophic coverage for Americans under age 65, but it was not provided for seniors age 65 and older. Heading into 2018, insurers are still anxious about attracting enough healthy people to balance claims from the sick.

24 June 2017

Ward beats Kovalev by TKO
Torres fell, although some felt he was flopping to prompt a disqualification. "It's not fair", said Flores, who is now 25-1. The victory was disputed as television replays showed Rigondeaux landed a left hand after the round-ending bell had rang.
Not 'that far off' from passing health overhaul
Schumer described the GOP proposal as "devastating" to the middle class and "that's what's making it so hard for them to pass it". Majority Leader Mitch McConnell had the bill drafted in strict secrecy and hopes to ram it through as early as next week.

Georgia Dems search for upsides in House loss
If Democrats fall short next year, she may join the growing list of California's older Democratic leaders put out to pasture. Trump himself weighed in over Twitter Thursday morning with digs at Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of NY .

23 June 2017

Devils on the clock with No. 1 pick in NHL draft
The players who have already arrived in Vegas realize that although they're starting over, they aren't starting from scratch. The other 30 teams protected either seven forwards , three defensemen and a goaltender, or eight skaters and a goalie .
26 June 2017

Start Your Engines: NASCAR Takes the Track at Sonoma
Christopher Bell led 152 laps in just his second career start in the series before a late wreck cost relegated him to 16th. Bowyer won at Sonoma in 2012 and he's driving for the #14 team that won this race previous year with Tony Stewart .

25 June 2017

Pelosi defends leadership following special election loss
Lifelong Democrat, San Francisco employment attorney and former Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign volunteer Stephen R. The CBC includes roughly 40 House Democrats , many in senior leadership and committee positions, including Pelosi allies.

21 June 2017

Ronaldo summoned to answer judge's questions on tax fraud
But it seems the Real Madrid president has set the ball rolling to make sure that Ronaldo continues at the Bernabeu next season. Manchester United manager is facing a probe into his tax affairs during his time as Real Madrid boss.

Philippines' Duterte not aware of US support against Islamists in Marawi Duterte , after the assumption of President Donald Trump, called the new United States leader his "friend". The ISIS-inspired local rebel groups occupied the Philhealth Office and Salam Hospital in Barangay Lilod.

Senate bill would trade Medicaid for tax cuts All the "Obamacare is in a death spiral" talk is Republican wishful thinking, aided and abetted by active sabotage. Trump said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer criticized the GOP bill before knowing what was in it.

Obama denounces 'fundamental meanness' of Senate GOP health care bill The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said that under the House bill , 23 million fewer people would have coverage by 2026. What is unmistakable is the Senate bill's thorough gutting of Medicaid as an entitlement, a long-held Republican goal.

Congressman Ryan says party's message is why Democrats losing elections Tim Ryan , D. "Thank God she was leading the House of Representatives during the passage of that". "That's all I'm going to say". For GOP consultants, tie-every-Democrat-to-Pelosi is a tried-and-true strategy that's been working for more than six years.

Some House Democrats mull over how to oust Pelosi as leader And ever since Jon Ossoff's loss to Republican Karen Handel , headlines have been dire and party recriminations rampant. On one hand, Democrats are now 0-for-four in their attempts to turn a Republican seat in this year's special elections.

76ers take Fultz, Lakers grab Ball to start NBA draft He addressed the obvious connection with another point guard the Sixers selected with a No. 1 pick, Hall of Famer Allen Iverson . Markelle Fultz chats with National Basketball Association commissioner Adam Silver as Lonzo Ball (L) looks on.

Hosts Russia see off New Zealand in opener — FIFA Confederations Cup According to the draw, Group A includes Russia, New Zealand, Portugal and Mexico, Group B - Chile , Australia and Germany. When it comes to sports, he's more on par with Kim Jong Il - a well-known fan, but not exactly an authority on the games.

Saudi, allies enlist 59 persons, 12 entities over Qatar 'terrorist' links Trump said in a tweet Tuesday that other Middle Eastern "leaders pointed to Qatar" funding radical Islamic ideology. The U.S. military has said it wouldn't change its position regarding Qatar's Al-Udeid Air Base, but Mr.

Mexico recovers to beat NZ 2-1 in fiery Confed Cup game We have a great team spirit. "There wasn't a lot in it tonight, it was very close", New Zealand coach Anthony Hudson said. Stay tuned to playcaper for latest updates on match day! "The game against Mexico feels like a final", Cherchesov said.

Obama on Senate bill: It's 'not a health care bill' Home-state governors, including Republicans, have lobbied to avoid the kind of Medicaid cuts the GOP Congress is proposing. It's no surprise that Obama came out against the bill, which would eviscerate his signature health care legislation.

Confederations Cup is a gift for Germany gaffer Joachim Loew That being said, this seems like a game to much for Australia and I think that they will be comfortably beaten by the Germans. The Socceroos did level matters against the run of play in the 41st minute courtesy of a close range effort from Tom Rogic.

Expansion Vegas loads up on D-men, could make more trades The only other time the franchise had the first pick was in 1979, when the then-Colorado Rockies selected Rob Ramage. Vegas' expansion draft choices certainly appear to form a team that could make noise in the Pacific Division .

Republican Karen Handel wins key Georgia election He was clearly a political juggernaut, as his $25 million dollars in campaign funds demonstrated. The South Carolina race, like the race in Georgia , wasn't much of a contest at all.

Family declines autopsy for former North Korea detainee Otto Warmbier South Korea's Defense Ministry said the bombers engaged in routine exercises with its fighter jets aimed at deterring the North. Following the death of 22-year-old college student Otto Warmbier, Americans' ability to travel to North Korea could change.

OnePlus overstated the performance of a new OnePlus 5 in benchmarks TENAA list the new flip phone as a Samsung device running on the Android operating system, as reported by Android Headlines . The dual-SIM smartphone has 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage, which can be expanded up to 256GB using a microSD card.

GOP Senators Call for More Time to Debate, Change Health Care Bill

Recommended