U.S. Senate vote on Obamacare repeal set for next weekJuly 19, 2017 - 10:20 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The U.S. Senate will vote next week on proceeding to a bill that repeals the Affordable Care Act without a ready replacement plan, the chamber's top Republican said Tuesday, July 18, according to AFP. "At the request of the president and vice president and after consulting with our members, we will have the vote on the motion to proceed to the Obamacare repeal bill early next week," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said. The vote is expected to fail, as three Senate Republicans have already declared their opposition to moving ahead with the controversial legislation. Republicans hold a 52-48 majority in the chamber, and can only afford to lose two of the party's senators on the vote. Democrats are united against the measure. The announcement comes as McConnell's latest effort to repeal and replace the law known as Obamacare imploded, after four senators came out against it. Several Republican moderates have expressed concern that the measure would adversely impact millions of families, particularly people on Medicaid -- the federal health insurance program for poorer Americans -- and the disabled. McConnell instead will forge ahead with what could be a last-gasp vote next week on a new plan to kill off most of the 2010 reforms of Trump's predecessor -- without a replacement at the ready. The measure contains a two-year delay, designed to provide lawmakers with sufficient time to craft an Obamacare replacement plan. Two years ago a similar straight repeal was passed by Congress, but vetoed by then-president Barack Obama. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office warned at the time that repealing Obamacare would boot a staggering 32 million people off health care by 2026, compared to current law. That is far higher than the 22 million the CBO forecast would lose coverage under the latest repeal-and-replace legislation. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |