Republicans have until September 30 (the end of the government’s fiscal year) to get a healthcare bill approved before their fast-tracking rule expires (preventing Democrats from blocking the bill). With the clock ticking, bipartisan talks have ceased and the Republicans are pushing a new healthcare bill forward.
Proposed by Senators Lindsey Graham and Bill Cassidy, the “Graham-Cassidy Bill” will give states more flexibility over how to provide their residents healthcare. It includes eliminating funding for Medicaid expansion, replacing subsidies with block grants, ending the requirement for individuals to have health insurance and employers to provide it.
Lawmakers are currently reviewing the proposal and figuring out how it will directly affect their respective states. A final version of the proposed bill is still evolving. The Congressional Budget Office will only be able to provide a partial analysis of it before it goes to vote. A full analysis will take them several weeks.
The bill needs 50 votes in the Senate to pass so the Republicans can only afford to lose two votes. Vice President Mike Pence could potentially pass it with a tie-breaking vote if needed. If the proposal does pass the Senate by September 30, the House would need to accept the bill as is (without any changes). If the bill loses, then there is no path for it to proceed.
Stay tuned to our blog for the next chapter in the healthcare reform saga.