Healthcare Bill Passes House, Now on to Senate

[jllundqu]

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/senate-republican-health-care-bill/story?id=47184608


While Senate Republicans say they are pleased with the progress the House of Representatives is making on its Obamacare replacement bill, there are still several major roadblocks ahead if the legislation makes it to the other side of the Capitol.

First, several Senate Republicans who opposed the first version of the House bill remain skeptical. Second, the Senate would likely have to change the bill significantly, perhaps in ways that might displease House Republicans when the two sides seek to reconcile the different versions.

When the House leadership released its original health care proposal in March, at least eight Senate Republicans said they had fundamental problems with the bill. The conservative Sens. Rand Paul, R-Ky.; Mike Lee, R-Utah; and Ted Cruz, R-Texas, all tweeted that they would oppose anything short of a full repeal of Obamacare. They also said the House bill's tax credit structure to help people pay for coverage amounted to a new entitlement.

Four other senators — Cory Gardner, R-Colo.; Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska; Rob Portman, R-Ohio; and Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va. — from states that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, were concerned about the proposal's lack of protections for expansion beneficiaries.

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, who opposed previous GOP efforts to strip federal funding from Planned Parenthood, also expressed opposition to the previous version of the House bill.

Still others, like Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said it did not do enough to address rising premiums and deductibles and told the House to go back to the drawing board. "The House should continue its work on this bill," he said in a March statement. "It's more important to finally get health care reform right than to get it fast."

House Republicans' new health care bill differs from the first one they proposed because it would remove a guarantee to cover people with pre-existing conditions. Under the new plan, states would have the option to request waivers from that requirement as long as they have another coverage option, like high-risk pools, which some experts have warned will raise costs for that cohort.

None of the holdout senators have to vote on the exact wording in the House version because the Senate would most likely change the bill before its own vote. The question is whether drastic changes would be necessary to get the skeptics on board.

For the Senate to pass a version of the Obamacare replacement bill, the two chambers would likely have to reconcile differences in what's known as a conference committee. It's not clear whether House Republicans who voted for their version of the bill would sign on to changes requested by senators and vice versa — a perennial concern for any legislation that goes through conference committee.

No Senate Democrats are expected to cross the aisle and vote for a replacement health care bill, meaning Senate Republicans could afford to lose only two votes from their 52 members and still pass the bill. Vice President Mike Pence would cast a vote in the event of a tie.

Cruz, who rejected the first House bill, suggested he would be open to using the new version as a springboard in the Senate but added, "I have a number of concerns, and I think many senators do."

"If the bill does pass the House, then it will come to the Senate, and it will be incumbent on us to continue to work to make it better," he added.

A spokesperson for Portman said the senator wants to see a better transition process for changing the way Medicaid is financed and more help for those receiving treatment for opioid addiction.

Capito, who opposed the House bill's Medicaid provisions, said through a spokesperson that the new version does not address her concerns. "She will work to improve the bill if it comes over to the Senate," her spokesperson said.

Aides for the other holdout Senate Republicans have not yet returned ABC News' request for comment.

In any event, the process is not likely to be swift. Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn, the chamber's second-highest-ranking Republican, told reporters Wednesday he thought the process of reconciling the two bills could take weeks.

[Matt Collins]

Why did Amash vote for it?

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2017/roll256.xml

[jllundqu]

Why did Amash vote for it?

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2017/roll256.xml

I assume as with other major votes, he will post a full explanation on his FB age and other social media.

[r3volution 3.0]

Rand Paul on the House passed AHCA: "I think the Freedom Caucus made the bill less bad. That’s the nicest thing I could think to say”

https://twitter.com/WCronkite

He did a brief interview right after the bill passed criticizing it, saw it live, will post the tube when available.

[EBounding]

I assume as with other major votes, he will post a full explanation on his FB age and other social media.

He doesn't even really do that any more though. :/

[CPUd]

860198896705961984
https://twitter.com/Raul_Labrador/status/860198896705961984

860199155364491265
https://twitter.com/Raul_Labrador/status/860199155364491265

[CPUd]

FWIW, FreedomWorks changed from a "key No" to "non support" after the amendments by Meadows and Upton.

[William Tell]

He doesn't even really do that any more though. :/

Yeah, he never really does unless he's getting heat. lol.

[William Tell]

Question. Does anyone know if this repeals the individual mandate, or makes a new one or doesn't touch it? In other words are we still forced to buy insurance or be fined?

[jllundqu]

Question. Does anyone know if this repeals the individual mandate, or makes a new one or doesn't touch it? In other words are we still forced to buy insurance or be fined?

That's my biggest question as well. Is there a repeal of the individual mandate? The last bill replaced the individual mandate with a 30% tax (applied by the Insurance co) if there is a break in coverage.

[William Tell]

That's my biggest question as well. Is there a repeal of the individual mandate? The last bill replaced the individual mandate with a 30% tax (applied by the Insurance co) if there is a break in coverage.

Yeah. Can't find anything concrete on it yet. Mixed reports of it being eliminated, reduced to zero, or replaced with the 30% thing.

[LibertyEagle]

I haven't heard any of them talking about buying insurance across state lines, lately. Did that go bye bye?

[EBounding]

5724

[r3volution 3.0]

5724

Awesome

[TheTexan]

I'm really looking forward to spending the next 4 years agreeing with Republicans on how Great this bill is!

Its a huge improvement over Obamacare, just tremendous how much its improved

[CPUd]

http://i.imgur.com/pKypYDW.jpg

[GunnyFreedom]

I assume as with other major votes, he will post a full explanation on his FB age and other social media.

I went and looked at his page to find an explanation for this. However, there was not a single vote explanation on his page for 2017. I'm starting to wonder if he even explains his votes anymore.

[afwjam]

Go massie, go rand, boo amash, gonna need more then just an explanation because there isn't one.

[TheTexan]

I went and looked at his page to find an explanation for this. However, there was not a single vote explanation on his page for 2017. I'm starting to wonder if he even explains his votes anymore.

He probably only explains the important votes. Or the ones that require explanation.

[eleganz]

It really is interesting how the liberty crew all have their own minds when voting.

Will Massie have a target on his back for voting no?

[kahless]

Question. Does anyone know if this repeals the individual mandate, or makes a new one or doesn't touch it? In other words are we still forced to buy insurance or be fined?

The Trumpcare bill did away with the mandate, the House bill however will fine those who go 60 days without health coverage. They will be penalized when they rejoin a health plan and face a 30 percent penalty on their insurance policy for one year.

[kahless]

I haven't heard any of them talking about buying insurance across state lines, lately. Did that go bye bye?

You would think that would be the first thing if Congress really represented the people.

[Noob]

Question. Does anyone know if this repeals the individual mandate, or makes a new one or doesn't touch it? In other words are we still forced to buy insurance or be fined?
Congressman Marsha Blackburn is working on the bill to let insurance across State lines.

(Sec. 205) This section repeals the penalties for individuals who are not covered by a health plan that provides at least minimum essential coverage (commonly referred to as the individual mandate). The repeal is effective for months beginning after December 31, 2015.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/1628

[kahless]

(Sec. 205) This section repeals the penalties for individuals who are not covered by a health plan that provides at least minimum essential coverage (commonly referred to as the individual mandate). The repeal is effective for months beginning after December 31, 2015.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/1628

That is dated 03/20/2017. There were changes after that but cannot find it on that site yet. The change being reported is what is called “continuous coverage” by requiring insurers to impose a 30 percent surcharge on premiums for those who experience a gap in coverage.

[William Tell]

Congressman Marsha Blackburn is working on the bill to let insurance across State lines.

(Sec. 205) This section repeals the penalties for individuals who are not covered by a health plan that provides at least minimum essential coverage (commonly referred to as the individual mandate). The repeal is effective for months beginning after December 31, 2015.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/1628

Thanks for the link


That is dated 03/20/2017. There were changes after that but cannot find it on that site yet. The change being reported is what is called “continuous coverage” by requiring insurers to impose a 30 percent surcharge on premiums for those who experience a gap in coverage. Yeah I've heard that too. Still waiting for more info.

[Noob]

That is dated 03/20/2017. There were changes after that but cannot find it on that site yet. The change being reported is what is called “continuous coverage” by requiring insurers to impose a 30 percent surcharge on premiums for those who experience a gap in coverage.

The MacArthur Freedom Caucus admendment, would allow states to decline to require insurers to offer a minimum set of benefits and provisions allowing health plans to charge people more based on their age and health status. States can also opt out of enforcing a 30 percent surcharge for people who don’t maintain insurance coverage.

http://www.politico.com/story/2017/04/24/obamacare-repeal-consumer-protections-237541

[Matt Collins]

FWIW, FreedomWorks changed from a "key No" to "non support" after the amendments by Meadows and Upton.Americans for Tax Reform gave these guys cover actually promoting the bill :mad:

[Brett85]

I haven't heard any of them talking about buying insurance across state lines, lately. Did that go bye bye?

According to Senate rules that provision requires 60 votes to pass the Senate.

[r3volution 3.0]

According to Senate rules that provision requires 60 votes to pass the Senate.

PREDICTION: They're going to avoid using the nuclear option, as an excuse for not passing reforms they don't want to pass anyway, and then let the Dems kill the filibuster next time they're in the majority (which they will do, sure as the day is long). "The business of Progressives is to go on making mistakes. The business of Conservatives is to prevent mistakes from being corrected." - Chesterton

[AuH20]

If Trump wasn't part of the Goldman cabal, he could have pulled the FM&FM directed subsidies and watched Obamacare die a quick and painful death .

https://www.infowars.com/treasury-secretary-confirms-infowars-com-reporting-on-obamacare-looting-scheme-theft/


“There is a Twitter conversation going on, and it has been going on for some time, about how President Obama needed money for Obamacare and he took from Fannie and Freddie. Is that true?” Bartiromo asked Mnuchin.

“It is true,” Mnuchin replied.

“They [the Obama administration] used the profits of Fannie and Freddie to pay for other parts of the government while they kept taxpayers at risk,” Mnuchin answered.

[r3volution 3.0]

Over at Trumpbart, a couple interesting reactions to the vote and Rand's comments on it:


Senator Rand Paul, one of the few sane minds in Washington.


Given the state of the GOP, Rand is the only RINO, but now this is a good thing.


The #Trumptrayal continues. DJT, you promised to fight for us



Rand Paul is a R.I.N.O. and needs to go.you are an idiot and you need to go hang yourself

[r3volution 3.0]

Krauthammer on Trumpcare (first couple minutes of the video)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfczI_jtTM0

Guess what?

He's absolutely right - we're on the highway to single-payer, barring some kind of liberty movement orchestrated miracle.

Guess who's fault it is?

Compromising, backpedaling, shape-shifting weasels like Krauthammer.

He realizes now we're on the road to single-payer?

How about doing something in the last, oh, I dunno, five decades to reverse the creeping socialism?

...O, right, you were too busy telling us "fundamentalists" how we've got to fall in line to win the next election.

Bastards

[TheTexan]

He's absolutely right - we're on the highway to single-payer

Or as normal people call it, free health care

https://media3.giphy.com/media/B0vFTrb0ZGDf2/giphy.gif#0-grid1

[francisco]

I haven't heard any of them talking about buying insurance across state lines, lately. Did that go bye bye?

They're claiming that particular change can't be implemented under the special reconciliation procedure being used (which provides for a straight-up majority to pass, bypassing any potential filibuster); and that allowing insurance to be sold across state lines will be implemented in follow-on "phase II / III" legislation. For anyone who believes that will happen, I have a bridge for sale.

[CPUd]

860299912214446082
https://twitter.com/SenSanders/status/860299912214446082

[H. E. Panqui]

...any republicrat politician who gets free/heavily $ubsidized insurance while advocating for 'the free market' :rolleyes: for everyone else better stay away from town-hall meetings..unless they enjoy hate-filled abuse...

...of course these stinking republicrats avoid honest town-halls like vampires avoid sunlight....

[Noob]

They want it to pass the ‘Jimmy Kimmel test’. so late night talk shows decided how the bill should end up being now.......

http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/332072-gop-senator-obamacare-repeal-must-pass-jimmy-kimmel-test

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/332159-five-changes-the-senate-could-make-to-the-obamacare-repeal-bill

[kahless]

They want it to pass the ‘Jimmy Kimmel test’. so late night talk shows decided how the bill should end up being now.......

http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/332072-gop-senator-obamacare-repeal-must-pass-jimmy-kimmel-test

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/332159-five-changes-the-senate-could-make-to-the-obamacare-repeal-bill

It is all propaganda and it is obvious. How can people not see it. Do you think people will ever wake up to the media and entertainment industry being their enemy?

[timosman]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLFqKkyICBA

[timosman]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLFqKkyICBA

Can somebody decode the last two words in that video - And that is a ..............? Pretty please.

[Occam's Banana]

Can somebody decode the last two words in that video - And that is a ..............? Pretty please.

"sea change" (the last part of "change" got cut off)

[timosman]

"sea change" (the last part of "change" got cut off)

A corporate buzzword. Thanks! :D

[AZJoe]

https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-0/p235x350/18301627_1297543080366974_134087068667343805_n.jpg ?oh=d9e20d3d84950792b86c171cac3f2518&oe=59807AA2

[pcosmar]

https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-0/p235x350/18301627_1297543080366974_134087068667343805_n.jpg ?oh=d9e20d3d84950792b86c171cac3f2518&oe=59807AA2

as expected.

was kinda hoping to be surprised.

[Noob]

Senate Rino's want to keep the individual mandate.

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/333864-key-chairman-open-to-delaying-repeal-of-obamacare-mandate

[CPUd]

Senate Rino's want to keep the individual mandate.

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/333864-key-chairman-open-to-delaying-repeal-of-obamacare-mandate

Wanting to keep the mandate is code speak for wanting to make sure the insurance companies are taken care of.

[Noob]

Demand your Senators make sure the individual mandate is repealed in the bill. not delayed.

http://action.americancommitment.org/ctas/repeal-obamacare

[Noob]

Obamacare repeal faces possible re-vote in House It's an unlikely scenario, but GOP leaders are still hanging onto the bill to ensure it clears a procedural hurdle.

http://www.politico.com/story/2017/05/18/obamacare-repeal-repeat-vote-house-238577

[CPUd]

869607299295330304
https://twitter.com/MikeLevinCA/status/869607299295330304

[jllundqu]

The GOP should burn for this.

[William Tell]

The GOP should burn for this.

They will. And then the Dems will bern us with Berniecare. The cycle of death and fire continues.

[CPUd]

868979531641741313
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/868979531641741313

[William Tell]

868979531641741313
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/868979531641741313

More spending. #Promiseskept #Basesatisfied #MAGAED