Though at least three Republicans withdrew support for each legislative option this week, GOP party leadership promises that the potential debate would feature an open amendment process that would greatly change the composition of either bill before it is voted on. This would give wary senators hope that their concerns could ultimately be addressed throughout the debate process.
One of the most controversial additions to the latest draft of the Better Care Reconciliation Act was an amendment from Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, that would allow insurers to sell policies on the exchanges that do not comply with ACA regulations as long as they also offer policies that do meet those standards. However, the Congressional Budget Office is still analyzing the potential effects of this amendment and could continue to take weeks to do so, which means that senators may be voting on legislation without knowing its estimated impact.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., still has room to add more funding to certain policy areas, such as increased money for Medicaid to alleviate the concerns of moderate Republicans, though not everyone is in favor of this tactic.
“I’m becoming concerned that it’s starting to feel like a bazaar,” said Senate Majority Whip John Coryn, R-Texas. “It’s beginning to feel like there’s a lack of coherency in what we’re doing and it’s almost becoming a bidding process, you know spend $50 billion here, let’s throw $100 billion there.”
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