GOP health care divisions multiply

Host John Dickerson asked the Arizona senator to briefly comment on what’s going to happen to the troubled health care bill. Obamacare covers some 20 million Americans.

Senate Majority Whip John CornynJohn CornynSenate GOP to get briefing on healthcare bill changes Tuesday Overnight Energy: Climate rule foe aims to challenge Manchin Senate GOP eyes ObamaCare repeal vote next week MORE (R-Texas) said earlier Monday that leadership has been in “continuous” discussions with the caucus, at both a lawmaker and staff level. “I’m a big believer in not just being a no vote, I want to figure out how do we get something done”, Paul said.

At least 10 Republican senators have opposed the bill in its current form, but many more have criticized the legislation or said they are undecided.

The unpopular bill would would gut Medicaid, resulting in an estimated 22 million more uninsured people over the next decade.

If approved, the Trump administration’s health care bill would repeal most of the taxes that paid for Obamacare. That might comfort GOP moderates. It would allow insurers to offer bare-bones policies free of the current law’s requirements.

In revising the bill, Republican leaders are expected to add provisions to draw conservative support, particularly one from Sen. Chuck Schumer of NY if they don’t close ranks. They are trying to cut back on the subsidized benefits insurance companies are required to provide to customers. Congress will need to raise the debt ceiling, pass a reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and pass new bills to fund government functions, to name a few.

That may be a reflection of rising premiums and dwindling choices in the insurance markets created under Obama. In one-third of all US counties, there’s only one insurer available on health care exchanges, often offering policies with the double whammy of high premiums and high deductibles.

In overhauling ObamaCare, the GOP-led Congress is trying to give President Trump his first clear legislative win almost six months after Republicans took full control of Washington. “We can argue whether they like the system we’re bringing them in or not, but simply a repeal, even with the sunset the year or two down the road – the problem (is) we know how Washington works”.

“Uncertainty surrounding the health care law also may be driving the increase”, the analysis added. These consumers never really participate in any meaningful way in the health-care marketplace.

Gallup-Sharecare found that the uninsured rate rose by 1.9 percentage points among adults aged 18-25 since the end of a year ago, and 1.5 points among those aged 26-34.

Young adults are an important demographic for Obamacare’s exchanges, since they tend to be healthy and keep premiums in check. It was previously called the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index.

Meanwhile, the message from the White House as Senators returned was one of being committed to the GOP health care effort, with officials saying the goal remains to get it done before lawmakers leave Washington on July 28, for a summer break that lasts until Labor Day.