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Big expectations

Saturday
June 24, 2017
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Page19

HELLER NO!

Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., during a press conference where he announced he will vote no on the proposed GOP healthcare bill at the Grant Sawyer State Office
Building on Friday, June 23, 2017 in Las Vegas.
Associated Press
5 GOP senators now oppose health bill _ enough to sink it

By ALAN FRAM and REGINA measure “in this form” but to lose just two of the 52 by only around 1 in 4 Ameri- boosts on wealthier people
GARCIA CANO does not rule out backing GOP senators and still pre- cans. that help finance the stat-
Associated Press a version that is changed vail. Heller, facing a competi- ute’s expanded coverage.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Ne- to his liking. Senate Majority Besides the five who’ve tive re-election battle next The Senate legislation
vada Republican Dean Leader Mitch McConnell, announced outright op- year, said he was oppos- would phase out extra fed-
Heller became the fifth R-Ky., has said he’s willing to position, several other GOP ing the legislation because eral money Nevada and 30
GOP senator to declare his alter the measure to attract senators — conservatives of the cuts it would make other states receive for ex-
opposition to the party’s support, and next week and moderates — have in Medicaid. The federal- panding Medicaid to addi-
banner legislation to scuttle promises plenty of back- declined to commit to the state program provides tional low earners. It would
much of Barack Obama’s room bargaining as he tries new overhaul. The mea- health care to the poor, also slap annual spending
health care overhaul on pushing a final package sure resembles legislation disabled and many nursing caps on the overall Med-
Friday, more than enough through his chamber. the House approved last home patients. icaid program, which since
to sink the measure and Nonetheless, Heller’s an- month that the nonparti- The Senate bill would also its inception in 1965 has
deliver a stinging rebuke to nouncement underscores san Congressional Budget erase the tax penalties provided states with unlim-
President Donald Trump un- the scant margin of error Office said would mean 23 Obama’s 2010 law imposes ited money to cover eligi-
less some of them can be Republican leaders must million additional uninsured on people who don’t pur- ble costs.
brought aboard. deal with. Facing unani- people within a decade chase insurance. It would
Echoing the other four, mous Democratic opposi- and that recent polling allow insurers to cover few- Continued on Page 3
Heller said he opposes the tion, McConnell can afford shows is viewed favorably er benefits and repeal tax