Several Republicans have hinted that they may be willing to give in to Democrats on funding for Planned Parenthood, if that could help the GOP repeal and replace Obamacare, according to a Fox News reporter.
The House of Representatives, dominated by Republicans, has already passed its version of the legislation known as the American Health Care Act, which will essentially repeal and replace Obamacare. It is now up to the Senate, also led by Republicans, to pass the legislation. However, that may not be as easy; getting both moderate and conservative Republicans on board the same bill could prove to be a tough challenge.
The House passed the AHCA by a narrow margin in May, with a vote of 217-213. While 20 Republicans joined the Democrats in opposing the house bill, it effectively pulled out federal funds from Planned Parenthood, however, the bill did go on to give states the authority to give the abortion services provider federally allocated money.
Nevertheless, it now appears that Senate Republicans may be more likely to directly fund Planned Parenthood in return for major health care reforms. Fox News reporter Chad Pergram says that some Senate Republicans have indicated that they are more “willing to ‘give’ on social issues like abortion if it meant they could pass health care.”
On Monday, Fox News also reported that Senate Republicans have sent various health care proposals to the Congressional Budget Office to determine the cost and impact it could have on the health insurance industry. Additionally, Fox News reported that the GOP has still not submitted its complete and final draft to the Congressional Budget Office; and it’s still unclear what the complete version contains since no Republican is ready to release it.
According to Axios, a Republican has said regarding the decision to release the final draft: “We’re not stupid.”
The Congressional Budget Office could take up to two weeks to release the score on the bill.
According to Business Insider, Senate Republican leaders expect that some form of health care legislation will move out of the upper chamber before the recess begins on July 4.