Revised BCRA released; straight repeal scored

Senate leaders today released a revised draft of the Better Care Reconciliation Act, legislation to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. The updated bill omits an amendment by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) that would have allowed insurers who sell a minimum number of compliant health plans on the marketplaces to also sell non-compliant products off of the marketplaces. According to the Congressional Budget Office analysis also released today, the revised bill would now result in 22 million fewer individuals with insurance coverage over 10 years and $756 billion in federal funding being cut from the Medicaid program. Late yesterday, CBO released an analysis of the Obamacare Repeal Reconciliation Act, legislation that would repeal much of the ACA without replacement. According to CBO, that bill, an updated version of the 2015 repeal bill that passed the Congress but was vetoed by President Obama, would result in 32 million more people uninsured in 2026 and cut $842 billion in federal spending from the Medicaid program from 2017-2026. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) yesterday indicated he will bring to the Senate floor early next week a motion to proceed to a vote on legislation to repeal parts of the ACA. However, it is unclear at this time which bill he may pursue. AHA continues to urge senators to oppose both bills.