Overnight Healthcare: GOP leaders defend plan to delay ObamaCare replacement

Senate Republican leaders are pushing back against calls from some in their caucus to pass an ObamaCare replacement at the same time as repeal.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), the Senate’s No. 2 Republican, indicated to reporters Monday that simultaneous repeal and replacement is not practical.

“I think we would all like that to be the case but, like I said, it’s more aspirational,” Cornyn said of doing a replacement at the same time as repeal. “I think the practical challenges are many and so we’re doing the best we can given the hand we’ve been dealt.”

Cornyn did suggest Monday, though, that some elements of a replacement plan could be included in a repeal bill.

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“I hope so, we’re actually looking to try to find some way to do that,” Cornyn said. He declined to say which elements could be included.

Several Republican senators in addition to Paul, including Sens. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) have said they think it would reduce uncertainty to show the public what the Republican replacement is before voting to repeal the law. 

Democrats have hammered Republicans on the issue, stating that the GOP is essentially hiding the details of their plan until after they vote to repeal ObamaCare. Read more here. http://bit.ly/2iakzHb

GOP senators want more time

But GOP leaders haven’t been able to quiet the rumblings in their own caucus.

A group of GOP senators want to extend the deadline for hashing out an ObamaCare repeal plan, arguing the move would also give lawmakers more time to work on a replacement.

GOP Sens. Bob Corker (Tenn.), Rob Portman (Ohio), Susan Collins (Maine), Bill Cassidy (La.) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) filed an amendment on Monday that would give congressional committees until March 3 to come up with a repeal plan.

Under rules the Senate is expected to pass this week, which are attached to a shell budget resolution, lawmakers have until Jan. 27.

Lawmakers argue moving the deadline will help pave the way for a smoother and shorter transition from ObamaCare to a new healthcare law and give Congress more time to work with Rep. Tom Price, who has been nominated to lead Trump’s Department of Health and Human Services. Read more here: http://bit.ly/2jn7JpM

Rand Paul rolling out ObamaCare replacement this week

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) is pledging to roll out an ObamaCare replacement bill this week as GOP lawmakers rush to nix the healthcare law.

The Kentucky senator argued Monday that the law must be replaced with “real market reforms.”

Paul’s legislation comes as the Senate is expected to pave the way this week to repealing the healthcare law.

Paul is leading a small but growing number of GOP lawmakers concerned about repealing the Affordable Care Act without a replacement plan hashed out.

He added another curveball to the ongoing debate on Friday, saying President-elect Donald Trump agrees with him that the two should be moved together. Read more here. http://bit.ly/2iao406

Senate Dems plan late-night protest over ObamaCare

Senate Democrats are planning to hold a late-night talkathon Monday protesting Republicans’ push to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

The protest comes as Democrats face an uphill battle to block Republicans from repealing ObamaCare, which only needs 50 votes to clear the upper chamber through the budget reconciliation process.

Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer (N.Y.) said Democrats will use the Senate floor and Facebook Live to denounce the GOP plan and accuse them of causing “chaos” by moving forward without a replacement plan.

“Tonight, we are taking to the floor and social media to denounce this plan and warn the American people that the Democrats will be fighting tooth and nail against this potentially catastrophic move,” Schumer said. Read more here. http://bit.ly/2j1vis5  

Report: Schumer flubs protest slogan

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Monday tweeted the wrong slogan while promoting his party’s protest against repealing ObamaCare, according to a new report.

“Now deleted,” Independent Journal Review reporter Joe Perticone tweeted of Schumer’s gaffe. “Chuck Schumer accidentally tweeted ‘Don’t Make America Great Again.'”

Schumer, meanwhile, posted a tweet containing the correct phrase before Democrats hold a late-night talkathon demonstrating against Republicans’ push to scrap the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

“Starting tonight, @SenateDems are on Snapchat,” he tweeted. “Add to hear more on our fight to protect healthcare & tell GOP: Don’t #MakeAmericaSickAgain.'” http://bit.ly/2i7N5On

What we’re reading

More women got mammograms when ObamaCare paid for them (CNN)

Obama says electronic medical records have disappointed him most about ObamaCare (Vox)

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell writes an op-ed on what he sees as ObamaCare’s failures (Fox News)

State by state

The Los Angeles Times talks to people who could be harmed by ObamaCare repeal (LA Times)

Shaheen, Hassan visit a Planned Parenthood in Exeter, N.H., to defend its funding (Seacoastonline.com)

Kentucky bill would require ultrasound before abortion (CNN)

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