GOP senators call for more time to debate, change health care bill

Alaska Gov. Bill Walker, a Republican-turned-independent, said in a statement Thursday that he is still reviewing the Senate plan, but had some worries about how it might affect his vast and sparsely populated state, where health care costs are high.

Last week, Senate Republicans unveiled their health care bill after crafting it for weeks behind closed doors. When it comes to health care, the main thing the bill does is take money away from providing it to pay for the tax reductions it contains and for future bonanzas the Republicans have promised. Expressing frustration, he complained about "the level of hostility" in government and wondered why both parties can't work together on the Senate bill as GOP critics expressed doubt over a successful vote this week.

Gary Claxton, director of the Health Care Marketplace Project at the Kaiser Family Foundation, said expanding subsidies doesn't mean the poor will find affordable coverage.

Small business owner Molly Connor is one of 70,000 Hoosiers who may lose her insurance on Indiana's exchange. I'm tempted to say that it's rare for any bill to have promised so much harm; I'm sure the bill's advocates would disagree, but it's hard to see how that isn't the case.

"It confuses me as a consumer why this needs to be done in secret and debated in such a short amount of time", says Connor.

Lie Three: The Senate bill is a "compromise". And the Democrats have said none of them will support this. (Trump referred to four people in his taped interview.) On Friday, Nevada Sen. Both chambers would have to agree on details for the bill to be sent to President Donald Trump. Those who feel the bill doesn't go far enough - including Kentucky's Rand Paul, Utah's Mike Lee, Wisconsin's Ron Johnson, and Ted Cruz of Texas - surely care about passing something, and the rest of the Republicans will likely give them what they need to vote yes.

And Democrats are not the only ones who oppose the bill.

Then he criticizes two prominent Democratic senators.

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said seven to eight other senators including herself were troubled by provisions that she believes could cut Medicaid even more than the House version.

So when 19 states decided not to expand Medicaid, millions of Americans were left in the coverage gap because they didn't qualify for Medicaid and couldn't afford private insurance. "These bills aren't going to fix the problem". The analysis will be posted on the office's website. The rejectionist crew might be pacified, but they've traditionally been motivated by separating themselves from mainstream conservatives. "Obviously, this will not be the final bill, but I'm hopeful that we can resolve the remaining disagreements and deliver a consensus bill that is a vast improvement over Obamacare".

ACA: Imposed new taxes (including investment income and wages above $200,000) to help people pay for coverage.

The Senate bill resembles legislation the House approved last month. It would also slap annual spending caps on the overall Medicaid program, which since its inception in 1965 has provided states with unlimited money to cover eligible costs. Republicans in full control of government are on the brink of history-making changes to the nation's health care system, but "Obamacare" is only half the story _ and many people may not realize that.

It's also "mean" to force people to pay for insurance they don't want or pay a fine, "mean" to force companies to pay for insurance instead of be able to grow and "mean" to force insurance companies to offer plans with coverages clients don't want. "I think they'll get some points".

"It may be a squeaker, but I have a lot of confidence in the ability and the maneuverability of McConnell", Lott said.

He told ABC's "This Week" the GOP has "at best, a 50-50 chance". As of now, there are at least five senators who have said they can't vote for the bill in its current form.

Collins spoke on ABC's "This Week".