Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough noted Friday three key provisions of the Senate's healthcare bill violate the chamber's rules, according to The New York Times.
Here are four things to know about the provisions at issue.
- The following provisions were flagged as potential violations of Senate rules, according to the report.
- Funding cuts to Planned Parenthood
- Prohibiting the use of federal subsidies to buy insurance plans that cover abortions
- Imposing a six-month waiting period for individuals to re-enroll if they let health insurance coverage lapse for two months or more
- These provisions are considered violations of the budget reconciliation process, which Republicans wants to use to pass the ACA replacement bill. This process allows for a bill to pass with just 50 votes, so long as the bill's provisions affect federal spending or revenue.
- The Senate parliamentarian's challenge was considered a preliminary decision, according to the report. If finalized, these provisions would need 60 votes to pass, which would be nearly impossible in a 52-Republican Senate, according to the report.
- A spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., told The New York Times the GOP considers the findings "guidance" for the next iterations of the bill.
Read the full story here.
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