Health Bill Appears Dead as Pivotal G.O.P. Senator Declares Opposition
WASHINGTON — A last-ditch attempt by President Trump and Senate Republicans to dismantle the Affordable Care Act appeared to collapse on Monday as a pivotal senator announced her firm opposition to the latest repeal plan, virtually ensuring
that Republicans would not have the votes they need for passage.
The demise of the latest repeal push means that Republicans are now all
but certain to conclude Mr. Trump’s first year in office without fulfilling one of their central promises, which the president and lawmakers had hoped to deliver on quickly after Mr. Trump took office.
Ms. Collins, one of three Republican senators who opposed the last repeal attempt in July, described the latest plan as “deeply flawed.” She
expressed concerns about cuts to Medicaid as well as the rolling back of protections for people with pre-existing medical conditions.
Ms. Collins’s announcement came three days after Mr. McCain said
that he could not “in good conscience” support the latest repeal proposal, written by Senators Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana.