Gop senators blink on a big chance to repeal obamacare

You're referring to the recent developments in the US Senate regarding the repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare.

On July 26, 2017, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced that he would delay a vote on the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA), a Republican bill aimed at repealing and replacing Obamacare. This decision came after several Republican senators, including John McCain (R-AZ), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Rand Paul (R-KY), expressed concerns about the bill's provisions.

The BCRA was a revised version of the American Health Care Act (AHCA), which was passed by the House of Representatives in May 2017. The bill aimed to repeal key provisions of Obamacare, such as the individual mandate, and replace them with a system of block grants to states.

However, the BCRA faced opposition from both sides of the aisle. Democrats were united in their opposition to the bill, citing concerns about the potential loss of health insurance coverage for millions of Americans. Some Republicans, including McCain, Collins, and Paul, also expressed reservations about the bill's impact on the Medicaid program and the individual insurance market.

On July 27, 2017, McCain, Collins, and Paul announced that they would vote against the BCRA, effectively killing the bill. This decision was seen as a major setback for the Trump administration and Republican leadership, which had been pushing for a repeal of Obamacare since taking office.

In the aftermath of the BCRA's defeat, President Trump and Republican leaders have been exploring alternative options for repealing and replacing Obamacare. However, the path forward remains uncertain, and it's unclear whether a revised bill can pass the Senate.

It's worth noting that the failure of the BCRA has also led to renewed efforts to stabilize the individual insurance market and improve the Affordable Care Act. Some lawmakers have proposed bipartisan legislation aimed at addressing issues such as cost-sharing reductions and reinsurance programs, which could help to stabilize the market and reduce premiums.