The United States Senate has rejected a Republican Bill to repeal the Affordable Health Care, popularly known as Obamacare which has been relentlessly criticised by President Donald Trump.
The Bill which would have given a two-year window to bring a replacement of Obamacare was defeated by 55-45 votes on Wednesday in the Republican-majority Senate. The House had earlier on Tuesday voted to start debate to replace the healthcare programme, signed into law by ex-President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010.
About 20 million Americans gained healthcare coverage under Obamacare, but Republicans viewed it as an overreach of the federal government and said patients had less choice and higher premiums.
On Wednesday, seven Republicans, including Senator John McCain, voted no to the move to only repeal Obamacare and giving a two-year window for a new healthcare bill for its replacement.
“I have said consistently that I support repealing and replacing Obamacare, and I voted to do so last night. I'm not giving up on doing both of those things,” Ohio Senator Rob Portman said.
