Republicans plan to quickly revamp the newly passed ObamaCare replacement bill. But the GOP bill that passed on Thursday could take weeks before they can implement all the changes. However, the new American health care Act worries several Senate republicans, mostly those from swing states, who were against the 2020 limits on ObamaCare's Medicaid extension.
Many Republicans do not support the new bill
According to several sources, some GOP representatives have expressed concerns after several investigations show that the enactment of the Republican bill would cut government subsidies for elderly individuals between 50 and 65-years-old.
The studies show that those greatly affected would be in regions such as Nebraska, North Carolina, Maine and Montana.
Whip John Cornyn, the senate Republican from Texas said the party would enact a seamless process that involves no arbitrary deadlines. Meanwhile, he cautioned that while the bill had passed successfully through the House, it would still be a methodically slow process to get all the issues ironed out. However, he added that the passage of the bill gives the party a sense of urgency.
The bill now has to go through the Senate, but Republicans there already stated that there is no way it will pass in its current form. Reportedly, some GOP Senators had questioned among themselves if it will even get to the Senate floor for a vote.
According to anonymous sources, there is skepticism within the Republican party and some are wondering if it will be able to conjure up the 51 votes needed for it to replace Obamacare.
Elderly Citizens set to lose Medicaid with GOP bill
Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W. VA.) stated that she is worried about the changes to the Medicaid plans.
She also reiterated that the Republican bill needs a lot of changes. Notably, West Virginia has greatly benefited under the ObamaCare Medicaid plan. In 2015, the state recorded175, 000 new applicants that had joined the plan because of the liberal rules in Obama's Health Care Plan.
Senator Capito said she is worried that the House bill will reduce the options available to senior citizens and middle-class citizens in her state's poorest communities.
The new bill will greatly affect a 60 year-old individual that makes $30,000 a year in West Virginia's Kanawha County. This person would see a decrease in their subsidy by about $9,000 annually under the bill proposed by the GOP.
Additionally, Senators Loot Portman (R-Ohio) and Dean Heller (R-Nev.) have also expressed concerns about the Medicaid rollback in the House Bill. However, while President Donald Trump and the Republican party are celebrating their new victory, the House bill is embarking on an uphill battle. Reportedly, it is set to face challenges from many of the Senate conservative members, who are already expressing their displeasure with the new bill.
