GOP vows to continue healthcare debate, moves on to tax reform

Sept. 26 (UPI) -- Republican leaders said Tuesday the healthcare debate is not over, but it's time to focus on tax reform.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act would continue. The latest attempt appeared dead after Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said Monday she opposed the legislation, leaving it short of support.

Senate aides told The Hill on Tuesday that the bill would not be put up for a vote.

"It's an important debate for our country," McConnell said. "It's one that will certainly continue."

Republican Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky and John McCain of Arizona opposed the bill, as well.

"We were very disappointed by a couple of senators, Republican senators I must say, we were very disappointed that they would take the attitude that they did," President Donald Trump said Tuesday.

"But we are disappointed in certain so-called Republicans."

House Speaker Paul Ryan said Tuesday the time has come to discuss the framework for tax reform.

"We are very very excited," Ryan said. "Tomorrow is the beginning of a very important process that we are excited about here in Congress."

The bill, introduced Monday by Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, would dismantle the remaining components of the ACA, including subsidies that aid people in purchasing insurance, the expansion of Medicaid and the mandate that requires everyone to have insurance.

In a preliminary analysis posted Monday, the Congressional Budget Office estimated the plan would leave millions without healthcare.

"The number of people with comprehensive health insurance that covers high-cost medical events would be reduced by millions compared with the baseline projections for each year during the decade," the CBO said.