Health Care Bill On Life Support After McCain Says No

By Susan Rupe

Another Republican effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act could be sunk after a GOP senator said he will not vote for the bill.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., told reporters Friday he would vote no on the Graham-Cassidy Bill that was to have come before the Senate next week.

“I cannot in good conscience vote for the Graham-Cassidy proposal,” McCain said. “I believe we could do better working together, Republicans and Democrats, and have not yet really tried. Nor could I support it without knowing how much it will cost, how it will effect insurance premiums, and how many people will be helped or hurt by it.”

It was the latest blow to Republican efforts to get rid of the ACA after years of vowing to abolish the bill.

In July, McCain cast a decisive no vote on a Senate bill to destroy the ACA.

McCain's announcement likely leaves GOP leaders at least one vote short for the Graham-Cassidy Bill. The Senate faces a Sept. 30 deadline for action on the legislation, at which point special rules that prevent a Democratic filibuster will expire.

McCain is not the only Republican senator to oppose the bill. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., has announced his opposition and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said she is leaning toward a no vote. Democrats are unanimously opposed.

Along with McCain, that would leave Republicans with only 49 votes for the bill; they would need 50, plus Vice President Mike Pence to break a tie, in order to prevail.

The Graham-Cassidy bill would repeal major provisions of the ACA. The bill would award the states block grants to design their own health insurance programs.

Susan Rupe is managing editor for InsuranceNewsNet. She formerly served as communications director for an insurance agents' association and was an award-winning newspaper reporter and editor. Contact her at [email protected].