Two senators have crafted their own healthcare bill, the Patient Freedom Act, and are willing to leverage their "influence" as the Senate decides how to hone the American Health Care Act recently passed by the House.
Knowing the votes of all Republicans will matter when the the healthcare bill to replace Obamacare comes before the Senate floor, Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Bill Cassidy, R-La., have been meeting to determine how their voices will be heard in the Senate's debate on the issue, according to Sen. Shelby Moore Capitol, R-W.Va.
Cassidy said he and Collins have met with Senate leaders, but stressed the importance of every vote, The Hill reported Sunday.
"When you only have 52 (Republican) senators, everybody has significant leverage. That tight vote margin means everyone is essential," Cassidy told The Hill.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell named a group of 13 senators to discuss changes to the House healthcare bill. Their task is to form policy that would appeal to both conservatives and centrists in the party.
The bill drafted by Collins and Cassidy stands in contrast to the House bill. It would give states the option to remain with Obamacare or to form something different while continuing to receive federal funding. It would also keep Obamacare's current taxes.
Cassidy maintained Republicans needed to both keep the promise of repealing Obamacare and President Donald Trump's priority to provide healthcare to Americans.
"The only way you can fulfill Trump’s contract with the voters — cover all, care for people with pre-existing conditions, get rid of mandates and lower premiums — the only way to get there and have decent coverage is through the Cassidy/Collins plan,” Cassidy said.
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