bcra Archives

Jul 20, 2017

Health Care “Repeal and Replace” Becomes “Repeal, and Replace Later”

After the collapse this week of the Senate’s version of the “repeal and replace” legislation, the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA), a “repeal and replace in 2 years” bill was introduced in the Senate on July 19, 2017. The “Obamacare Repeal Reconciliation Act of 2017” (ORRA) is based on a repeal bill passed in 2015 by the House of Representatives and the Senate but vetoed by then-President Obama. The ORRA would repeal various provisions of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) but delay the effective date of repeal for two years, during which Congress would craft replacement legislation. Assuming the Senate… Read more

Jul 14, 2017

Is the New Senate Health Care Bill Already on Life Support?

As soon as the revised health care bill was introduced yesterday, criticism began and the margin for passage may already be compromised. Two Republican senators, moderate Susan Collins of Maine and conservative Rand Paul of Kentucky, have already announced they were not swayed by the revised bill. Republicans must have 50 out of 52 Republican Senators voting for the bill. As mentioned in my blog yesterday, the revised bill includes an amendment from Senator Ted Cruz (R., Tx.) which would allow insurers to sell “skimpy” plans, as long as they also offer at least one which meets the Affordable Care… Read more

Jul 11, 2017

Health Care Repeal and Replace, or Repair Instead?

According to multiple sources, the Senate Republicans will introduce an updated version of the Senate’s version of the American Health Care Act, called the Better Care Reconciliation Act (H.R. 1628) (BCRA) this week with hopes of voting on the measure next week. Protests during the July 4th recess and continuing in the halls of the Senate now make passage of BCRA less likely. Up to 10 Republican Senators have expressed reservations about the bill-passage in the Senate requires that all but 2 Republican Senators must vote for the measure. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) will be briefing the full 52… Read more