The draft of the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA) released on July 13 will not reach the Senate floor for a vote as four Republican Senators have announced their opposition. Senate Republicans could only keep the legislation alive with three defections. On July 17, 2017, Senators Mike Lee (R-UT) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) joined Senators Rand Paul (R-KY) and Susan Collins (R-ME) in opposing the latest version of the BCRA which would have caused millions of Americans to lose health coverage. Older and sicker patients, the most vulnerable who need health care provided through Medicaid, and women would have been particularly hard hit if this legislation had been enacted.
Over the weekend the announcement came that the vote on the BCRA would be delayed due to Senator John McCain’s recent surgery. Republicans, at that time, needed his vote to keep the measure from failing. Now with the two announced defections on Monday evening, Sen. McCain’s vote is immaterial to the outcome.
Thanks to all who responded to our call to action asking for contacts to Senator Rob Portman (R-OH). Sen. Portman’s vote was thought to be crucial and one that Senate President Mitch McConnell might flip to one of support.
Next up is anyone’s guess. Speculation is that perhaps the repeal and replace efforts will be separated. Republicans may seek to repeal the Affordable Care Act with repeal being effective two years from now and work within that two-year period to come up with a replacement plan.