US Senate Republicans begin another push on Thursday to unravel Obamacare, seeking to wrap up their seven-year offensive against former Democratic president Barack Obama's signature healthcare law that extended insurance coverage to millions.
Republicans leaders hope a pared-down "skinny" bill that repeals several key provisions of Obamacare can gain enough support to pass, after several attempts at broader legislation failed to win approval earlier this week.
The skinny bill's details will be released at some point on Thursday, before the Senate embarks on a marathon voting session that could extend into Friday morning. The legislation is expected to eliminate requirements that individuals obtain health insurance and employers provide it, and to abolish a tax on medical device manufacturers.
The effort follows a chaotic two-month push by Senate Republicans to pass their version of legislation after the Republican-controlled House of Representatives approved a bill in May.
President Donald Trump weighed in early on Thursday, tweeting: "Come on Republican Senators, you can do it on Healthcare. After 7 years, this is your chance to shine! Don't let the American people down!
Many Republicans, including Trump, campaigned last year on a pledge to repeal and replace what they view as a failing law that allows the government to intrude in people's healthcare decisions.
Republicans were optimistic about the skinny bill's chances of receiving at least 50 votes in the Senate, where they hold a 52-48 majority.
Republican US Senator Bill Cassidy, asked if Republicans had the votes to repeal the current law's requirement for people to have health insurance or pay a fine, told MSNBC: "Probably so."
If it gets approval, the bill will go to a negotiating committee of lawmakers from both chambers that would reconcile the House and Senate versions into a single piece of legislation, said Senator John Cornyn, the chamber's No 2 Republican.
Republicans face a rift within their party over how to replace Obamacare, with conservatives seeking a bill that thoroughly scraps the law, and moderates unwilling to support measures that could strip tens of millions of their health insurance. Some 20 million people have gained health insurance since Obama's Affordable Care Act came into law in 2010.
The Senate voted 55-45 on Wednesday against a simple repeal of Obamacare, which would have provided a two-year delay so Congress could work out a replacement. Seven Republicans opposed the bill. On Tuesday, senators rejected the repeal-and-replace plan Republicans had been working on since May.
