Blumenthal, Democrats Want To Derail Health Care Vote

June 26--An hour before he left Connecticut for Washington, Sen. Richard Blumenthal told reporters he is seeking to introduce multiple amendments as part of a Democratic effort to delay a vote on repealing the Affordable Care Act.

The amendments, Blumenthal said Monday at a press conference at the Legislative Office Building, will "stop the grotesquely cruel denial of health care" contained within the Republican bill.

Blumenthal wants to: eliminate cuts in Medicaid, stop the defunding of Planned Parenthood, maintain essential health benefits (coverage all insurance plans must contain) and eliminate tax cuts for the wealthy that are part of the legislation.

The amendments are almost certainly doomed to fail in the Republican-controlled chamber, but are part of an effort by Democrats to slow down a vote. Senate Democrats will meet to discuss strategy and plan to use "every tool available," Blumenthal said.

Democrats have been scrambling to mobilize opposition to the health care bill -- which was negotiated in private among Senate Republicans with no committee hearings -- but Blumenthal said he still expects a vote to come this week.

"This process has been distorted by a secret behind closed doors approach that may lead to a very truncated and shortened process on the floor," Blumenthal said. "The odds favor a vote this week."

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