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July 28, 2017
2017-1236

Senate defeats effort to repeal ACA

The Senate on July 27, 2017, defeated the Republican attempt to pass H.R. 1628, the "American Health Care Act of 2017," culminating in a 49-51 vote to defeat the "skinny bill" that was the Republican's best hope to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

To start the day, Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) introduced an amendment consisting of text pulled from House bill H.R. 676, the "Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act." The House bill establishes a Medicare for All Program to provide free healthcare to all Americans. Despite introducing the amendment, Senator Daines noted his opposition to the bill and intent to promote dialogue about single-payer health care. The amendment failed 0-57, with 43 Democrat senators voting present.

Senator Luther Strange (R-AL) introduced an amendment to reduce premium tax credits by 90% and transfer funds to premium assistance for low-income individuals, effectively ending the flow of taxpayer dollars to abortion providers. The amendment failed 50-50, as 60 votes were needs to waive a budget point of order.

Senator Dean Heller (R-NV) introduced an amendment to strike the sunset on the "Cadillac Tax," thus reinstating a repeal of the tax on employee benefits and premiums. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) filed a motion to commit the bill back to committee, which failed 43-57. The Heller amendment was then voted on and passed 52-48.

Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) introduced the long-awaited "skinny" bill, entitled "The Health Care Freedom Act," late in the evening. The bill repeals the individual and employer mandates, provides funding for states to apply for or implement state innovation waivers, increases contribution limits to tax-free Health Savings Accounts for three years, repeals the medical device tax for three years, and restricts federal funds to certain entities that provide abortions for one year. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) filed a motion to commit the bill back to committee, which failed 48-52. The McConnell amendment was then voted on and failed 49-51 with the deciding vote against the bill provided by Senator John McCain (R-AZ).

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