Posted inHealth, Politics

Blumenthal, Murphy join Dem chorus on bipartisan ACA fix, but that may be elusive

WASHINGTON — After the collapse of GOP efforts to repeal Obamacare, Democrats, including Connecticut Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, called for bipartisan efforts to shore up the ACA. “Now we have an amazing opportunity for Republicans and Democrats to actually work together …” Murphy said. But whether bipartisanship can grow out of the bitter partisan fight over Obamacare remains to be seen.

Posted inHealth, Politics

Senate fails to repeal Obamacare

WASHINGTON — Senate Republicans failed early Friday to win approval of a “skinny” bill they hoped would grow into a full-fledged repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act, putting an end to efforts to eliminate Obamacare, at least for now. The dramatic vote in the middle of the night is a boost to Connecticut Democrats who fought the GOP campaign to repeal the ACA.

Posted inHealth, Politics

McConnell tweaks health care bill to win conservative support

WASHINGTON — Sen. Mitch McConnell rolled out a new health care bill that is broadly similar to the one that foundered in the Senate last month, but contains a few new provisions aimed at winning over recalcitrant Republican senators. The new bill was excoriated by Connecticut Democrats, and increased Democratic opposition to the effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.

Posted inPolitics

Obamacare repeal would roll back dozens of federal taxes

WASHINGTON — The Senate health care bill, called the Better Care Reconciliation Act, would roll back nearly $1 trillion in diverse taxes imposed by the Affordable Care Act to expand coverage to poor and middle-income individuals. But analysts say 40 percent of the tax breaks would benefit 1 percent of the nation’s richest people, giving critics ammunition against GOP efforts to repeal and replace Obamacare.

Posted inHealth, Politics

CT Dems decry House GOP victory on health bill that may stumble in Senate

WASHINGTON — House Republicans on Thursday finally won approval for a health care bill aimed at repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act, but the legislation faces an uncertain future in the Senate, which may not be able to take it up for weeks. Connecticut Democrats called the health care bill “appalling” and “immoral” and said the GOP would pay a political price.