Page 6 - Discussion Draft News Today

Cuts would be catastrophic for them. phil mattingly, no reporter in america better understands what is going on and where this is headed than you, phil, tell us everything. >> reporter: the best way to view yesterday, the release of the discussion draft was that. it was a discussion draft. it is the first step in a complex bill. senators said they cannot support the bill as it stands. you have to pay attention to moderates. dean heller, susan collins have concerns about the direction of the bill...

Onboard and certainly know the difficulties of getting conservatives and moderates to work together. does it surprise you were already seeing a split with some conservative members in senate on this bill or is that just kind of routine? >> no, im not surprised at all. i think that those fault lines are there just like in the house and the senates going to have to work through them. you know, bear in mind, anderson, this is a discussion draft that many of those senators are just seeing today. so,...

500,000 a year. >> this is a discussion draft. were seeking input and were having ongoing negotiations with senators. we would invite our democratic colleagues to join us. so far they have refused to participate in the process. >> im going to do everything i can to see that that terrible legislation is defeated and move this country to where every other major nation on earth is and that is guaranteeing health care to all people as a right, not a privilege. lets get right to where all the actio...

Expensive? what do you say to the republicans who are opposing this as well? >> this isnt going to be a tax cut. obamacare raised $1 trillion in taxes to pay for obamacare, but this affects middle and low income people wear their insurance premiums are taxed. their pharmacy benefits are taxed. were going to repeal that along with the original mandate. this process that we are going through right now, this is a discussion draft. we are having ongoing negotiations with senators. weve invited democ...

A split with the conservative members on the senate with this bill or is that routine? >> im not spruzurprised at all. those fault lines are there just like in the house and the senate is going to have to work through them. this is a discussion draft that many of the senators are just seeing today. so people may be posturing. people may have serious concerns and i think the senates going to have to do the exact same thing we did in the house, find a way to bridge this divide and two two critical...

Officials -- have you heard anything from the white house or the president since this bill was finally, this discussion draft was finally just released? >> reporter: not only were they briefed last night, they were told that last night the president was aware of details of this legislation when he was out there speaking in iowa. he spoke favorably about the bill. now, hes in a technology meeting right now. one senior administration official expects the president will talk about health care as we...

Families deserve better than its failing status quo. they deserve better care. thats what we are going to continue to work to bring you. >> all right. you are listening to senate majority leader mitch mcconnell as the senate floor is coming to order, beginning the business of the day. they are announcing the senate released and revealed the long awaited draft, their version of how to overhaul obamacare. that, released moments ago. also, hearing from nancy pelosi, addressing many topics and this ...

Stabilize the insurance markets that are collapsing under obamacare as well and policies contained in the discussion draft will implement stabilization policies so we can bring financial certainty to insurance markets and hope to americans can face the possibility of limited or zero options next year under obamacare. ultimately, transition away from obamacare system entirely so more americans will not be hurt. we also agree on the need to strengthen medicaid, preserve x xx2 care for patients wit...

For one thing. some of the subsidies may be higher than the house version for some things. the president has called for more heart in the senate version. is that what hes getting? >> well, first, i think people are going to take a close look at the details that are not that complicated. i dont know what theyve spent the last couple of weeks doing in these back rooms, maybe playing monopoly, im not sure. but if we believe whats in the discussion draft, the differences are minor. so, yes, medicaid...

Americans from obamacare mandates and policies contained in the discussion draft will repeal the mandate so americans are no longer forced to buy insurance they dont need or cant afford. repeal the lawyer mandate so americans no longer see their hours and take home pay cut by employers because of it. we agreed on the need to improve the affordability of health insurance and policies contained in the discussion draft. well do that. we will eliminate costly obamacare taxes passed on to consumers s...