Bulletpoints to Get you Caught up On the GOP's Unveiled Healthcare Bill
By: Kayla Pasacreta
Senate Republicans have finally revealed the healthcare bill they’ve been working on in secret. And to many, it's no surprise why the bill was veiled in secrecy for so long - it hurts a lot of ordinary working Americans.
We’ve picked out the most important things for you to know about the bill:
It’s very similar to the healthcare bill proposed by House Republicans, read more here.
13 Republican (male) senators came up with the bill behind closed doors
It repeals Obamacare’s individual mandate, which requires an individual to get their health care covered
Slashes taxes for the wealthy
Eliminates funding for Planned Parenthood. This would be a defeat for women’s right advocates.
Significantly rolls back on Medicaid, a federal program that assists low-income individuals pay for their health insurance.
Republicans can only afford to lose two votes from Senate Republicans for the bill to pass
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) tweeted, “by throwing millions of people off insurance this #healthcarebill disproportionately harms people of color who will lose access to care.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said, “The president said the Senate bill needed heart. The way this bill cuts health care is heartless... the president said the house bill was mean. The Senate bill may be meaner.”
Republicans are hoping to get a vote on the bill by next week.
What are your thoughts on the bill?
