Senate Republicans are ready to take another crack at ACA replacement plans after a legal hearing indicated the law is on unsure footing, The Hill reports.
The renewed interest comes after a federal appeals court heard oral arguments July 9 on Texas v. United States. The lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of the ACA on the basis that the individual mandate, without a tax penalty, is unconstitutional. Media reports on the judges' line of questioning at the hearing suggested the law could be toppled by this challenge.
In light of the hearing, Republicans in the Senate have revived talks to create a plan to preserve at least two ACA provisions: health insurance protections for people with preexisting conditions and extensions that allow young adults under age 26 to maintain coverage under their parents' health plans, according to The Hill. This is an "about-face" for Senate Republicans, according to The Hill, as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell previously declared healthcare off the table until after the 2020 elections.
Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, is leading negotiations and being assisted by Sens. Rick Scott, R-Fla., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., according to The Hill. Mr. Romney did not yet have an estimate of when legislation would be ready.
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