Senate GOP Backing Plan to Extend Obamacare Subsidies

In preparation for a decision by the Supreme Court to strike down Obamacare subsidies, a number of Senate Republicans are backing a plan that would temporarily restore them for current enrollees.

According to Politico, 31 senators have signed onto a bill authored by Wisconsin GOP Sen. Ron Johnson that would extend the subsidies through September 2017 but, at the same time, repeal Obamacare's individual and employer mandates and insurance coverage requirements. 

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"In that moment of what could be political chaos, we're offering such a reasonable proposal that solves a mess," Johnson said, according to Politico. "It fixes a mess caused by a sloppily written law, unlawfully implemented. All we're asking for is a little bit of freedom back, which would be, I think, pretty popular."

The measure has the backing of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and the rest of the GOP leadership, as well as a number of lawmakers who are facing tough re-elections.

But Johnson's plan is unlikely to gain support from the White House or Senate Democrats. 

The president has already been clear that he will not support legislation that would undermine the main tenets of Obamacare. 

And Republican colleagues in the House are also unlikely to sign on, Politico said.

"If you're voting for an extension, you're essentially voting for the continuation of Obamacare — that's a real problem," said Republican Study Committee Chairman Bill Flores, according to Politico.

Via: Newsmax

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