Will the Senate vote on a health care bill before the July 4 recess?

Greenbeard · Jun 18, 2017

With ten working days left before the July 4 recess, the Senate GOP is apparently still aiming to vote on their health care bill before then. Despite the fact that virtually no one has seen it or knows what's in it.

Lawmakers have yet to see text of a bill and are deeply divided over key questions, such as how quickly to phase out ObamaCare’s Medicaid expansion.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has suggested he wants to hold a vote before the July 4 recess to prevent healthcare from eating up more of the Senate’s time.

“He’s bound and determined to have the vote pre-July Fourth recess,” a Republican lobbyist said of McConnell.

Of course the secrecy and confusion is a feature, not a bug, as what little has leaked out suggests the Senate's bill--despite early claims they would be writing their own bill--will essentially be the House's universally reviled AHCA (currently sitting at a 17% approval rating).

Best for them not to spend much time debating it publicly.

Phys251 · Jun 18, 2017

They'll pass it in the dead of night and send it over to the House, who will want to change it again.

Winston · Jun 18, 2017

Greenbeard said:
With ten working days left before the July 4 recess, the Senate GOP is apparently still aiming to vote on their health care bill before then. Despite the fact that virtually no one has seen it or knows what's in it.

Of course the secrecy and confusion is a feature, not a bug, as what little has leaked out suggests the Senate's bill--despite early claims they would be writing their own bill--will essentially be the House's universally reviled AHCA (currently sitting at a 17% approval rating).

Best for them not to spend much time debating it publicly.

I read recently McConnel is just waiting for a CBO score. As if they would heed any score that read "Danger Ahead!" He also invoked the "fast track rule" that bypasses the committee process. And there will be no hearing. I don't think Democrats have any idea what is even in the bill. America, your healthcare is officially being decided in the back room by lobbyists and water boys for lobbyists. Way to go.

Gonzo Rodeo · Jun 18, 2017

I guess we'll just have to pass it to see what's in it.

Greenbeard · Jun 18, 2017

Winston said:
I read recently McConnel is just waiting for a CBO score.

That would be a nice departure from the House's approach.

Still, zero hearings and no markups from the committees of jurisdiction (and, if they keep to this timeline, little to no floor debate) is truly remarkable.

cuban smokes · Jun 18, 2017

Greenbeard said:
With ten working days left before the July 4 recess, the Senate GOP is apparently still aiming to vote on their health care bill before then. Despite the fact that virtually no one has seen it or knows what's in it.

Of course the secrecy and confusion is a feature, not a bug, as what little has leaked out suggests the Senate's bill--despite early claims they would be writing their own bill--will essentially be the House's universally reviled AHCA (currently sitting at a 17% approval rating).

Best for them not to spend much time debating it publicly.

well, that will work out real great just as the Patriot Act did; just another fine ****ing up the ass by our friendly 'representatives' ................

Winston · Jun 18, 2017

Gonzo Rodeo said:
I guess we'll just have to pass it to see what's in it.

There were over 100 hearing on the ACA.

Fenton Lum · Jun 18, 2017

Whatever happens, the substantial people will become even more enriched and "average" americans will continue to enjoy the ****tiest, most expensive, most inefficient healthcare system amongst the planet's advanced post-industrial societies.

trouble13 · Jun 18, 2017

Winston said:
I read recently McConnel is just waiting for a CBO score. As if they would heed any score that read "Danger Ahead!" He also invoked the "fast track rule" that bypasses the committee process. And there will be no hearing. I don't think Democrats have any idea what is even in the bill. America, your healthcare is officially being decided in the back room by lobbyists and water boys for lobbyists. Way to go.

They are behaving like democrats.

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trouble13 · Jun 18, 2017

Winston said:
There were over 100 hearing on the ACA.

Behind closed doors between democrats.

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Greenbeard · Jun 18, 2017

trouble13 said:
They are behaving like democrats.

If only! The Senate spent 23 working days spanning 5 calendar weeks debating the ACA on TV (following televised markups in two committees). All archived on C-Span:

November 20, 2009: The Senate began debate on comprehensive health care reform legislation.
November 21, 2009: The Senate continued a second day of debate on health care reform legislation.
November 30, 2009: The Senate debated health care reform. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid warned Senators to expect daily votes on the bill, plus evening and weekend sessions.
December 1, 2009: The Senate continued a second day of debate on H.R. 3590, the $848B plan to expand health insurance coverage.
December 2, 2009: The Senators are taking up H.R. 3590, the $848B plan to expand health insurance coverage.
December 3, 2009: Senate debate continues on H.R. 3590, the $848B plan to expand health insurance coverage.
December 4, 2009: The Senate proceeded with debate on amendments to H.R. 3590, the health care bill. Yesterday, the Senate passed an amendment providing preventive health services for women and another guaranteeing Medicare benefits. Debate on the bill continued over the weekend.
December 5, 2009: Senate proceeded with debate on amendments to health care legislation.
December 6, 2009: The Senate reconvened in a special weekend session. Members continued debate on amendments...
December 7, 2009: The U.S. Senate began the second week and eighth day of health care legislation.
December 8, 2009: Day 9 of the Senate health care reform debate.
December 9, 2009: On day 10 of debate on health care reform...
December 10, 2009: Health care debate continues.
December 12, 2009: The Senate convened, with an omnibus bill cloture vote and then continued with health care reform legislation.
December 13, 2009: In a rare Sunday session the Senate took a final vote on the $447 billion FY 2010 omnibus spending bill. After the vote, members continued to debate health care legislation.
December 14, 2009: The Senate resumed consideration of health care legislation.
December 15, 2009: Senators planned to finish debate on several amendments and motions dealing with buying prescription from other countries and middle class taxes.
December 16, 2009: The Senate held its 15th day of health care debate.
December 17, 2009: Throughout the day, Senators may continue to speak on health care legislation and the Senate is expected to return to the debate after voting on the defense bill.
December 19, 2009: The Senate...resumed debate on health care legislation. This is the 17th day of health care debate.
December 21, 2009: The Senate continued debate on health care legislation.
December 22, 2009: The Senate approved Majority Leader Reid’s Managers Amendment with a vote of 60-39.
December 23, 2009: The Senate is now holding a series of votes, including adoption of the Majority Leader’s substitute amendment and a vote to limit debate on the bill.
December 24, 2009: The Senate passed the $871 billion health care bill, H.R. 3590, by a vote of 60 to 39.

Unitedwestand13 · Jun 18, 2017

Greenbeard said:
If only! The Senate spent 23 working days spanning 5 calendar weeks debating the ACA on TV (following televised markups in two committees). All archived on C-Span:

November 20, 2009: The Senate began debate on comprehensive health care reform legislation.
November 21, 2009: The Senate continued a second day of debate on health care reform legislation.
November 30, 2009: The Senate debated health care reform. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid warned Senators to expect daily votes on the bill, plus evening and weekend sessions.
December 1, 2009: The Senate continued a second day of debate on H.R. 3590, the $848B plan to expand health insurance coverage.
December 2, 2009: The Senators are taking up H.R. 3590, the $848B plan to expand health insurance coverage.
December 3, 2009: Senate debate continues on H.R. 3590, the $848B plan to expand health insurance coverage.
December 4, 2009: The Senate proceeded with debate on amendments to H.R. 3590, the health care bill. Yesterday, the Senate passed an amendment providing preventive health services for women and another guaranteeing Medicare benefits. Debate on the bill continued over the weekend.
December 5, 2009: Senate proceeded with debate on amendments to health care legislation.
December 6, 2009: The Senate reconvened in a special weekend session. Members continued debate on amendments...
December 7, 2009: The U.S. Senate began the second week and eighth day of health care legislation.
December 8, 2009: Day 9 of the Senate health care reform debate.
December 9, 2009: On day 10 of debate on health care reform...
December 10, 2009: Health care debate continues.
December 12, 2009: The Senate convened, with an omnibus bill cloture vote and then continued with health care reform legislation.
December 13, 2009: In a rare Sunday session the Senate took a final vote on the $447 billion FY 2010 omnibus spending bill. After the vote, members continued to debate health care legislation.
December 14, 2009: The Senate resumed consideration of health care legislation.
December 15, 2009: Senators planned to finish debate on several amendments and motions dealing with buying prescription from other countries and middle class taxes.
December 16, 2009: The Senate held its 15th day of health care debate.
December 17, 2009: Throughout the day, Senators may continue to speak on health care legislation and the Senate is expected to return to the debate after voting on the defense bill.
December 19, 2009: The Senate...resumed debate on health care legislation. This is the 17th day of health care debate.
December 21, 2009: The Senate continued debate on health care legislation.
December 22, 2009: The Senate approved Majority Leader Reid’s Managers Amendment with a vote of 60-39.
December 23, 2009: The Senate is now holding a series of votes, including adoption of the Majority Leader’s substitute amendment and a vote to limit debate on the bill.
December 24, 2009: The Senate passed the $871 billion health care bill, H.R. 3590, by a vote of 60 to 39.

The republicans are acting the way they accuse democrats of behaving.

I believe this clip sums up the criticism of the republican bill.

Henrin · Jun 18, 2017

They should wait until Christmas eve so everyone gets to wake up on Christmas day with it on their mind. You know, like the democrats did with the ACA.

Rogue Valley · Jun 18, 2017

Trump and McConnell want a vote before the July 4 Congressional recess no matter how bad the Senate bill is. If there is a tie, VP Pence will cast the deciding yes vote. If the proposed Senate bill passes, both pieces of legislation will then go to "conference" in which a committee from each congressional chamber will iron out the differences between the two bills and arrive at a mutually agreed upon finished product. Both houses will then vote again on the agreed upon identical legislation and the successful unified bill would then go to Trumps desk.

From what I hear, the only major difference between the two bills is in time frame. The Senate prefers delaying the cuts to Medicaid until after 2018 to minimize GOP midterm election vulnerability. Both houses of the GOP congress want to do the Medicaid cuts though ($880 billion) so they can redistribute substantial sums ($600 billion) to the medical industry and the ultra-wealthy 1% of Americans as tax cuts. In essence, the GOP is formulating the AHCA as a redistribution of wealth from the poor and the elderly to the very wealthy. The GOP AHCA is a federal money transfer masquerading as healthcare.

chuckiechan · Jun 18, 2017

Greenbeard said:
With ten working days left before the July 4 recess, the Senate GOP is apparently still aiming to vote on their health care bill before then. Despite the fact that virtually no one has seen it or knows what's in it.

Of course the secrecy and confusion is a feature, not a bug, as what little has leaked out suggests the Senate's bill--despite early claims they would be writing their own bill--will essentially be the House's universally reviled AHCA (currently sitting at a 17% approval rating).

Best for them not to spend much time debating it publicly.

Too bad the democrats won't cooperate. One faction of the republicans are really in debate about letting it crash as is, and blaming the democrats for creating it in the first place with phony ghost funding. That gives those people a dose of "single payer" since only one exchange will remain standing, and Schummer can be blamed for not fighting to save Obamas legacy.

I really wish the democrats would swallow their pride and forget about Obamas legacy, and work seriously on a bi partisan bill, but Schummer is boxed in. He has no clue how strong his party's left wing is -or isn't, and can't risk a backlash by being seen as "the party of maybe".

Everyone is busy covering their asses until the whole thing crashes, or 2020 arrives and the blame game is revisited with new, fresh, accusations as to who is at fault.

Nickyjo · Jun 18, 2017

Henrin said:
They should wait until Christmas eve so everyone gets to wake up on Christmas day with it on their mind. You know, like the democrats did with the ACA.

Obviously a well designed plot by the nefarious forces that gave us Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, those colossal failures.

Paranoia strikes deep...

Henrin · Jun 18, 2017

Nickyjo said:
Obviously a well designed plot by the nefarious forces that gave us Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, those colossal failures.

Paranoia strikes deep...

I didn't like that Christmas present.

Deuce · Jun 18, 2017

trouble13 said:
Behind closed doors between democrats.

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Incorrect.

I literally read the bill before it was passed.

Nickyjo · Jun 18, 2017

Henrin said:
I didn't like that Christmas present.

As one with a chronic illness who has avoided bankruptcy thanks to Medicare and SS, what is your beef with those programs, and how would you improve them/what alternative would you have?

trouble13 · Jun 18, 2017

Deuce said:
Incorrect.

I literally read the bill before it was passed.

Im willing to bet you were the only one

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minnie616 · Jun 18, 2017

trouble13 said:
Im willing to bet you were the only one

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You lose.
I read it online also.

Since my husband is a small business owner I wanted to see what not only affected us personal but how it inpacted his business.

It was interesting because the version I read had red lines crossing out parts with red words put in.

The red parts were changes that were made with the republican amendments were added.

trouble13 · Jun 18, 2017

minnie616 said:
You lose.
I read it online also.

Since my husband is a small business owner I wanted to see what not only affected us personal but how it inpacted his business.

It was interesting because the version I read had red lines crossing out parts with red words put in.

The red parts were changes that were made with the republican amendments were added.

I stand corrected minnie read it too.

Since you read it, were you supportive of of it and should it be, iyo, left untouched

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Greenbeard · Jun 18, 2017

minnie616 said:
You lose.
I read it online also.

Ditto!

minnie616 · Jun 18, 2017

trouble13 said:
I stand corrected minnie read it too.

Since you read it, were you supportive of of it and should it be, iyo, left untouched

For the most part of it I was supportive of it.
It has worked well for so far for Michigan as Governor Snyder did partake in the Medicaid Expansion program that some of the states refused.

From a 2016 Crain's Detroit article:

HHS statistics showed of the 5.9 million people in Michigan covered through employer-sponsored health plans, benefits from Obamacare include the following:

An end to annual and lifetime limits: Before Obamacare, 3.5 million Michigan residents with employer or individual market coverage had a lifetime limit on their insurance policy. Obamacare now prohibits annual and lifetime limits on policies.

Young adults covered until age 26: An estimated 73,000 young adults in Michigan have benefited from the provision that allows kids to stay on their parents' health insurance up to age 26.

Free preventive care. Health plans must cover such preventive services as flu shots, cancer screenings, contraception and mammograms with no extra cost. Some 4.5 million insured people benefit.

Slower premium growth.

The average premium for Michigan families with employer coverage grew 3.5 percent per year from 2010 to 2015, compared with 6.8 percent over the previous decade.

Family premiums in Michigan are $3,300 lower today than if growth had matched the previous decade.

Health insurance companies must spend at least 80 cents of each premium dollar on health care or care improvements, rather than administrative costs like salaries or marketing. Michigan residents with employer coverage have received $63.1 million in insurance refunds since 2012.

Read more:

Report: Michigan moves ahead on many health care metrics with Affordable Care Act | Crain's Detroit Business

I feel it needs to be tweaked and improved and I was hoping congress would have taken some of Gov Snyders ideas he used in Michigan's Medicaid Expansion.

From:

“I think it’s important that as they look at the Affordable Care Act ... I hope they carefully look at the success we’ve had in Michigan, because we didn’t just do Medicaid expansion,” Snyder told The Detroit News in a year-end interview.

“We put requirements for health and wellness on the front ends, and personal responsibility. We’re seeing a huge increase in coverage,” but also a huge drop in the number of people showing up at hospitals without insurance — a positive trend, Snyder said.

Snyder and Michigan’s GOP-led Legislature signed off on Medicaid expansion in 2013 but added unique requirements for recipients who earn between 100 and 133 percent of the poverty level, including Health Savings Account contributions and co-pays that can be reduced through healthy behaviors.

More than 642,300 people have signed up for the Healthy Michigan plan since it launched in April 2014, surpassing initial projections of 320,000 in the first year and 470,000 at its peak.

Read more from the Detroit news:

Snyder fights for Medicaid plan in Obamacare repeal

trouble13 · Jun 18, 2017

minnie616 said:
For the most part of it I was supportive of it.
It has worked well for so far for Michigan as Governor Snyder did partake in the Medicaid Expansion program that some of the states refused.

From a 2016 Crain's Detroit article:

Read more:

Report: Michigan moves ahead on many health care metrics with Affordable Care Act | Crain's Detroit Business

I feel it needs to be tweaked and improved and I was hoping congress would have taken some of Gov Snyders ideas he used in Michigan's Medicaid Expansion.

From:

Read more from the Detroit news:

Snyder fights for Medicaid plan in Obamacare repeal

Minnie im not intrested in reading links. I wanted to know your opinion and you gave it. Ty, much.

We may disagree but i respect your honesty.

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Will the Senate vote on a health care bill before the July 4 recess?