In a nearly unanimous vote on Wednesday, the Republicans in the Senate defeated the Democrats’ attempt to repeal Trump’s rule that sabotages the Affordable Care Act and allows for discrimination against people with preexisting conditions.
43-52: Senate defeats Democrats resolution to repeal Trump Admin rule on health care law waivers allowing states to offer lower-cost health insurance plans with fewer benefits on near party line vote. Collins was only Republican to vote Yes. pic.twitter.com/xKIKmILesX
— Craig Caplan (@CraigCaplan) October 30, 2019
The Trump Administration’s rule offers taxpayer-funded subsidies for plans that don’t even meet the benefits standards, and it allows insurance companies to deny coverage for people with preexisting conditions.
The vote will likely be politically important for everyone up for election in 2020. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) was the only Republican to break ranks with her counterparts, but it isn’t likely to help her campaigning efforts. Her vote was unnecessary this time, unlike when she voted to approve Brett Kavanaugh as a Supreme Court justice.
Trump has falsely said, “We will always protect patients with preexisting conditions.” Yet, all of the health bills his administration has endorsed offer fewer protections than those that were previously offered under the Affordable Care Act. This vote further erodes those protections.
Republicans will totally protect people with Pre-Existing Conditions, Democrats will not! Vote Republican.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 24, 2018
