WASHINGTON — Sen. John McCain announced on Friday that he’ll vote against the Graham-Cassidy Republican health care bill, putting the future of the legislation in peril.
McCain complained about the process, criticizing the lack of debate and committee time for legislation that would remake the country’s health care system.
“Committees of jurisdiction should mark up legislation with input from all committee members, and send their bill to the floor for debate and amendment,” McCain said in a statement.
“That is the only way we might achieve bipartisan consensus on lasting reform, without which a policy that affects one-fifth of our economy and every single American family will be subject to reversal with every change of administration and congressional majority.”
McCain was one of three votes that helped to sink the Republican effort in late July. He criticized the closed-door process then, too.
McCain’s surprise Friday afternoon announcement, coupled with statements of opposition by Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., means Republicans can’t lose another vote as only two Republicans can defect in order for the legislation to pass. All eyes now turn to GOP Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine, both of whom recently voted against the so-called “skinny repeal” bill and say they are undecided on the latest measure.
McCain’s opposition goes against one of his closest confidantes, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who has been championing this latest effort.
“I take no pleasure in announcing my opposition. Far From it,” McCain wrote in a statement. “The bill’s authors are my dear friends, and I think the world of them. I know they are acting consistently with their beliefs and sense of what is best for the country. So am I.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has said he intends to put the bill on the floor next week. But he might choose not to if he doesn’t have 50 votes.
The last-ditch effort to partially repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act gained steam last week when Graham and Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., introduced the text of their legislation and sent it to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office for an analysis.
Late night host Jimmy Kimmel, who has attacked Cassidy three nights in a row this week, tweeted his thanks to McCain shortly after the announcement.
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The Graham-Cassidy legislation has been sharply criticized by Democrats, health care experts and the health care industry, including the insurance industry. Studies have shown that states will lose upwards of $200 billion dollars of health care funding, millions fewer will be covered, and the changes would severely disrupt the health care market.
Graham-Cassidy would cut the Medicaid program by ending the Obamacare expansion, which insured an additional 17 million Americans, by 2020. It would also change the funding formula for Medicaid to be based on population instead of need. And it would provide a chunk of money to states to implement their own Medicaid program, known as a block-grant.
In addition, the bill would would get rid of the mandate to purchase health insurance and end the subsidies that helps people purchase coverage. It would also take money given to the states that expanded Medicaid and the money for subsidies and give it to states to implement their own health system. In doing so it would allow states to undercut protections for people with pre-existing conditions, likely causing their insurance premiums to rise.
Republicans have only until September 30 before the legislation expires that allows them to try and pass it with a simple majority, forcing the rushed timeline on a bill that was introduced just days ago.
Anxious for a legislative victory, President Donald Trump has been publicly pressuring congressional Republicans to repeal Obamacare.