The Senate on Tuesday will vote to begin debate on a revised bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, according to President Donald Trump.
"Tomorrow the Senate will vote on whether to allow this urgently needed bill to come to Senate floor for debate," Trump said during a news conference Monday afternoon.
Republican Senators have not been able to get the needed votes on a health bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell talked of trying for a repeal and delay bill that would allow the GOP to do what it promised in getting rid of President Obama's signature healthcare law. Legislators would then have two years before repeal took effect, giving them time to craft a replacement bill.
[Also: McConnell vows to move ahead on ACA repeal and delay]
But Trump nixed that idea Monday and lashed out at members of his own party, saying repeal and replace was needed but so far Republicans haven't been able to get the job done.
"But so far Senate Republicans have not done their job in ending the Obamacare nightmare," Trump said. "They now have a chance however to hopefully, hopefully, fix what has been so badly broken for such a long time. And that is through replacement of a horrible disaster known as Obamacare."
With a 52-48 majority, Republicans need every vote, especially with the absence of Arizona Senator John McCain, who revealed last week that he has brain cancer.
No Democrats are on board.
[Also: Senate Parliamentarian on Friday derails ACA replacement by simple majority]
"The Senate is very close to the votes it needs to pass a replacement," Trump said.
The Senate bill will eliminate the individual and employer mandates, repeals taxes, lowers premiums, stabilize the collapsing health insurance markets and give Americans more choice, Trump said.
The Senate bill also proposes to protect coverage for pre-existing conditions. It expands the use of health savings accounts and offers tax credit accounts for consumers to purchase plans, has resources to fight the opioid crisis and provides higher quality care.
Three GOP senators - Susan Collins of Maine, Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska - have opposed past replacement plans.
[Also: CBO score of Senate bill looks similar to House bill in having 22 million more people uninsured]
Trump is reportedly offering the 31 states that expanded Medicaid a sweetener to the deal in the form of $200-billion, to be paid out starting in 2022, to cushion health insurance costs, the LA Times said.
The Senate Bill, the Better Care Reconciliation Act, would cut more than $700 billion out of federal Medicaid funding over 10 years.
A study released Monday by the Urban Institute, found that the $200 billion would cover those transition costs for only two years, the LA Times said.
Twitter: @SusanJMorse