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GOP Senators Hopeful on Healthcare Even as Members Demand Changes

GOP Senators Hopeful on Healthcare Even as Members Demand Changes
(AP)

By    |   Monday, 26 June 2017 07:44 AM EDT

Key Republican senators are laying out their demands for what it will take for them to support the GOP healthcare bill, The Wall Street Journal reported.

As Republicans push for a vote this week, at least eight GOP senators have expressed concerns about the bill, the newspaper said. For the bill to pass, Republicans, who hold a 52-48 majority in the Senate, can't afford to lose more than two GOP votes.

But some are demanding the bill add funds in particular areas like opioid treatment, according to the Journal, others are divided over the bill's cuts to Medicaid, and there are some who claim the bill doesn't go far enough.

"Yes, listen, it's going to be a challenge, but I have to strongly disagree with the characterization that we're somehow ending the Medicaid expansion," Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Penn., said on CBS' "Face the Nation."

"As far as some of my conservative friends who are concerned that the bill doesn't go far enough, I'm sympathetic about the kinds of reforms they would like to make to lower premiums through more market forces and greater freedom on the part of consumers, but I see this bill as a first step, a first important step in the direction of repealing those portions of Obamacare that we can, stabilizing the individual market, which is collapsing, and making important reforms to Medicaid."

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine said on ABC's "This Week" program: "It's hard for me to see the bill passing this week,"

But those Republicans close to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., remain optimistic, The Hill reported.

McConnell and his closest allies are convinced he can wear down those within the GOP ranks who are questioning the bill with 20 hours of floor debate and an unlimited amendment process, according to the website.

"I have no indication that anything is off in terms of the floor," an aide said. "We're preparing to go in every possible way."

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Politics
Key Republican senators are laying out their demands for what it will take for them to support the GOP healthcare bill, The Wall Street Journal reported.
GOP, senators, health bill, congress, changes
324
2017-44-26
Monday, 26 June 2017 07:44 AM
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