Senate Vote on Trumpcare Delayed

by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org - Home - Stephen Lendman)

Polls show strong public opposition to House and Senate versions. 

They're thinly veiled wealth transference schemes from ordinary Americans to business and high-net-worth households - not legitimate healthcare plans, vitally needed to assure everyone in the country is afforded proper care when ill or injured.

Consumer and patient advocacy groups, thousands of doctors, the American Medical Association, the American Hospital Association, religious leaders, drug abuse treatment centers, virtually all governors, every undemocratic Democrat in both houses, and two Republican senators are against the measure - joined by their GOP colleague Ron Johnson in opposing a motion to proceed to debate, the first floor step before a final vote is called.

Johnson expressed concern about Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, saying "don't worry about some of the Medicaid reforms. They are scheduled so far in the future they will never take effect."

Not so if Trumpcare is enacted. John McCain's surgery on Friday, followed by recovery in Arizona delayed a Senate vote for the second time.

GOP Senate critics Rand Paul and Susan Collins announced their opposition to the measure. Support from all other Republicans senators are needed for passage, an uncertain prospect, largely because of unacceptable deep Medicaid cuts.

Before McCain's surgery, McConnell said he wanted debate and passage of the bill this week. Without support from at least 50 GOP senators, it won't happen.

It's unclear how long delay will last. As of Monday, no date is scheduled for debating and voting on the measure.

On Friday, the insurance industry lobby and association representing Blue Cross Blue Shield plans expressed opposition to one of the provisions in the revised Senate bill.

The Indivisible advocacy group called for a July 18 Kill the Bill Day of Action - calling on its members and supporters to show up in offices of senators in their home states and around the states nationwide.

"Statewide will be the gold standard," the organization said, adding "(t)his action will mirror similar events happening in DC at the key senators' Capitol Hill offices."

If Trumpcare is enacted, millions more than already will be uninsured, most others way underinsured. House and Senate versions are abominations.

Universal coverage for all Americans is the only equitable solution. 

Proper healthcare is a fundamental human right, not a commodity based on the ability to pay the way things are now.

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