(NETWORK IN) It’s called the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017, and it’s the healthcare bill the Senate Republicans have released.
In a nutshell it cuts funding for Medicaid and calls of the repeal of the individual mandate on health insurance. Senate Republicans say health care bill will stabilize insurance markets, improve affordability.
Unlike the recent House bill, it would also keep more protections for people with pre-existing conditions. The measure would also eliminate federal funding for Planned Parenthood.
Senate Majority Mitch McConnell plans hold a vote on the measure before lawmakers leave at the end of next week for their July 4th recess. The Kentucky Republican has always maintained that Obamacare is on the verge of collapse.
Indiana Republican Todd Young says he is still reading the bill and that he hasn’t made up his mind on it. However he does say:
“I think this could be a very good down payment on the promises that many of have been making to the America people for some time now,” Young says. “To do nothing here in the pretty near term would be pretty irresponsible.”
Meanwhile, Democrat Senator Joe Donnelly is taking a more moderate approach to the bill saying that “we need to work together to improve healthcare for Hoosiers.” But he does have a beef with how the bill is being presented.
“The bill before us was drafted in secret and behind closed doors, and I’m very concerned that the Senate is racing toward a vote without the necessary input, analysis, or even a single Senate hearing,” Donnelly adds.
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb says in an emailed statement that his office is also still looking at the 142 page document.
“We will thoroughly examine the language in the U.S. Senate’s health care bill, and we’ll be thoughtful in our analysis of how it may affect Indiana’s programs and citizens—as well as the opportunities it may provide for us to better meet the needs of Hoosiers.”
House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi describes the new Senate Republican healthcare bill as “heartless.” Other Democrats, like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, are slamming the bill because of it’s cuts on taxes for the wealthy.
Four Republicans are opposed to the bill. Kentucky Senator Rand Paul says he is against it because it is not a full repeal of Obamacare. Texas Senator Ted Cruz mirrors Paul’s sentiment saying the bill doesn’t go far enough. Wisconsin’s Ron Johnson and Utah’s Mike Lee area opposed as well.
