GOP Senators Give Up Crusade To Kill Obamacare (For Now)

By: Kayla Pasacreta

You have got to give it to Republican senators: they have a never-ending drive to attempt to get rid of the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare. However, based on their Obamacare replacement ideas, their attempts are always largely met with disapproval. Democratic opposition is normal, but the latest Graham-Cassidy bill was so detrimental that it was met with the opposition of over twenty health care advocacy groups, and even received tough words and "no" votes from prominent Republicans like Senator John McCain of Arizona and Senator Susan Collins of Maine. Both Republican Senators also voted "no" on the previous skinny repeal proposed by Senate Republicans.

Mitch McConnell speaking to group of Republicans, photo via AP

While the Graham-Cassidy bill awarded more freedoms to states when dealing with healthcare, it also would not force states to cover essential services and would possibly end Medicaid expansion. For more details on the bill, read our article on it here. 

Today, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced that they simply did not have enough votes to conduct a vote on the bill. McConnell insisted that while they will not be able to pass the bill and get rid of Obamacare this week, they will stay true to their mission. Senator Lindsey Graham cosigned, saying, "We're coming back to this after taxes." For now, the next step for Republican legislators is working on tax form. 

Republicans have proved to be resilient in their fight to repeal Obamacare, so we certainly expect for another health care proposal soon.

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