Washington—Tonight, the Senate voted against a "skinny repeal" of Obamacare, formally called the Health Care Freedom Act. The bill would have effectively repealed the individual mandate, effectively repealed the employer mandate until 2025, defunded Planned Parenthood for one year, increased health savings account (HSA) contributions, and allowed for additional state flexibility through a slightly reformed Section 1332 waiver. It was drafted to allow House and Senate Republicans to go to conference to craft a more comprehensive repeal and replace of Obamacare. Heritage Action released the following statement from Chief Executive Officer Michael A. Needham:
"Long before tonight, the Senate demonstrated a complete and utter inability to govern. Repealing and, ultimately, replacing Obamacare will require moderate Republicans to come to the table and follow through on their repeated campaign promises.
"At this very moment, Americans are stuck with a failing health care law. Networks continue to narrow. Premiums continue to rise. And choice continues to decline. Obamacare is becoming a zombie law, and throwing more taxpayer money at Zombiecare is unacceptable.
"The only way to force Senators back to the table is to block efforts to prop up Obamacare. After seven years of promises, Republicans cannot simply retreat to embracing the status quo."
Related:
Heritage Action: What Comes After 'Skinny Repeal' of Obamacare? (July 2017)