“Senators voted 43-52 on the resolution” with only Susan Collins (R-ME) voting with Democrats

Just days after taking office, President Trump signed an Executive Order returning power over health care and insurance to the states. Although Congressional Republicans clearly have no intention of repealing ObamaCare, Trump went on to further weaken the disastrous health insurance scheme of his predecessor.

Democrats are not happy. They attempted on Wednesday to roll back a Trump administration rule that permits states to ignore sections of ObamaCare and to loosen requirements on health insurance that increased costs on individuals and businesses within the states.

The Senate blocked their effort, with only one Republican, Sen. Susan Collins (ME), voting with the Democrats to reinstate the crushing ObamaCare rules.

The Hill reports:

The Senate on Wednesday rejected a Democratic effort to roll back a Trump administration rule that allows states to ignore parts of ObamaCare. Senators voted 43-52 on the resolution, falling short of the simple majority needed to pass the chamber. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) was the only Republican to vote for the resolution. Democrats wanted to overturn a Trump administration rule that makes it easier for states to opt out of certain ObamaCare requirements and prioritize cheaper, less-inclusive plans than ones offered under ObamaCare.

Pre-existing conditions are a political and fiscal quagmire for both Democrats and Republicans because there is no way to force insurance companies to cover these without raising costs down the line and across the board.

Ultimately, though, Democrats are trying to keep ObamaCare in the spotlight leading into the 2020 presidential election. They believe health care is a winning issue for them, and Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) on Wednesday accused Democrats of playing politics.

The Hill continues:

Members of the party have termed the plans “junk insurance” because companies can refuse to cover people with pre-existing conditions. . . . . Republicans and the Trump administration have repeatedly said they will continue to protect people with preexisting conditions, while simultaneously advocating for ways to end ObamaCare. A federal circuit court in New Orleans is expected to rule in the coming days or weeks on an administration-backed lawsuit to overturn the entire health care law. But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) knocked Democrats on Wednesday, arguing they were playing politics. “Democrats’ resolution has zero chance of becoming law. This is just another political messaging exercise with no path to making an impact,” McConnell said.



