• Home
  • News
  • Fortune 500
  • Tech
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
HealthGovernment

Republicans Scramble to Shore Up Support for Healthcare Bill

By
David Z. Morris
David Z. Morris
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
David Z. Morris
David Z. Morris
Down Arrow Button Icon
June 25, 2017, 4:20 PM ET

Republican Senators are working through the weekend to evaluate and respond to a health care bill introduced on Thursday by Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell. McConnell and other leaders, meanwhile, are trying to rally support for a vote on the bill this week, but may be short of the support necessary to pass it.

The Republican health care bill is uniformly opposed by Democratic Senators, but could pass without them if Republicans line up. But, as tallied by the New York Times, five Republican Senators—most of them staunch fiscal conservatives—have already said they will not support the current version of the bill. Only two Republicans need to defect to kill the bill.

Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s technology newsletter.

McConnell may be pushing for speedy passage because that disunity is only getting worse. Activists and health organizations have argued that the bill’s sweeping cuts to Medicaid would be life-threatening to many Americans.

Meanwhile, President Trump has sent mixed messages about the health care reform priorities that partly fueled his campaign. He earlier called a House reform bill, which contained similar funding cuts, “mean.”

Amid the scrum, there are signs Republican opposition is only growing. GOP Senator Susan Collins of Maine, who has not yet said she will vote against the bill, expressed reservations towards it to news outlets today. The Times also reports that Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska is on the fence, despite specific provisions in the bill meant to benefit her state.

About the Author
By David Z. Morris
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.