They said the measure falls short, missing “the most important promise that we made to Americans: to repeal Obamacare and lower their health care costs.” Surely we can do better than what the Republican health care bill promises,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.įour conservative senators expressed opposition but openness to talks: Ted Cruz of Texas, Kentucky’s Rand Paul, Mike Lee of Utah and Ron Johnson from Wisconsin.

“We live in the wealthiest country on earth.

“Because Obamacare is a direct attack on the middle class, and American families deserve better than its failing status quo.”ĭemocrats said the measure would result in skimpier policies and higher out-of-pocket costs for many and erode gains made under Obama that saw roughly 20 million additional Americans gain coverage. He and others said the measure would make health insurance more affordable and eliminate Obama coverage requirements that some people find onerous. McConnell must navigate a narrow route in which defections by just three of the 52 Republican senators would doom the legislation. It would offer less generous subsidies for people than Obama’s law but provide billions to states and insurance companies to buttress markets that in some areas have been abandoned by insurers. The bill would end Obama’s tax penalties on people who don’t buy insurance - effectively ending the so-called individual mandate - and on larger companies that don’t offer coverage to their workers. On Facebook, Obama said at the heart of the bill was “fundamental meanness.” On Twitter, Trump said he was “very supportive” of the bill. McConnell stitched it together behind closed doors, potentially moving President Donald Trump and the GOP toward achieving perhaps their fondest goal - repealing former President Obama’s 2010 statute, his proudest domestic legacy. Release of the 142-page proposal ended the long wait for one of the most closely guarded bills in years. But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., indicated he was open to discussion and seemed determined to muscle the measure through his chamber next week. Senate Republicans launched their plan for shriveling Barack Obama’s health care law Thursday, edging a step closer to their dream of repeal with a bill that would slice and reshape Medicaid for the poor, relax rules on insurers and end tax increases on higher earners that have helped finance expanded coverage for millions.įour conservative GOP senators quickly announced initial opposition to the measure and others were evasive, raising the specter of a jarring rejection by the Republican-controlled body.

The great realism overhaul