John McCain's revolt leads to Obamacare repeal bill failure
The latest attempt by the Republican-controlled US Senate to repeal the Obamacare healthcare program has failed. In a night of high drama at Capitol Hill, three Republican senators, broke party lines leading to a 51 votes to 49 against the scaled down "skinny" repeal. This the third failed attempt at repealing Obamacare, marking a huge blow to Republicans and US President Donald Trump.
What is Obamacare?
The 'Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act' (ACA) also known as Obamacare, is the biggest overhaul of US health-care system since 1960s. ACA extends insurance coverage to millions who receive no coverage from employers or who weren't eligible under government programs for the poor and elderly. ACA offers subsidies to make coverage affordable and brings in healthier/younger people into the system.
Trump says 3 Republicans, 48 Democrats let America down
Trump responded to the failure of the repeal vote by tweeting that three Republican and 48 Democratic senators had let American citizens. He repeated his previous warning to "let Obamacare implode."
Trump: "Let Obamacare implode"
Republican Senate leader calls bill's failure "disappointing moment"
Republican Senators John McCain, Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins joined with Democrats to oppose the measure. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, called it a "disappointing moment." McCain's dissenting vote was met with gasps especially after Vice-President Mike Pence furiously lobbied for him to favour the repeal before the vote.
How McCain gave Trump a "black eye"
McCain, who just returned to Washington after being diagnosed with brain cancer, has a reputation for being a maverick senator who bucks party lines. McCain has "delivered a black eye to Trump, who had famously mocked McCain as "not a war hero" during the 2016 campaign," according to the Guardian. The vote has deprived Trump of his first major legislative victory of his presidency.
What is the "skinny" repeal bill?
The "skinny" repeal bill was a scaled down legislation aimed at creating a compromise. "The reality is, for now, there is no minimum level of change on which Senate Republicans can agree," according to the BBC's Anthony Zurcher. The "skinny" repeal bill would lead an estimated 15 million people to lose their coverage, causing premiums to increase by 20%.
