No other big changes are expected in the bill from the version announced in June.
A new bill to repeal and replace portions of Obamacare will be released in the Senate, but reports suggest that the bill will include an amendment as per the direction of GOP senators.
The new version is expected to allow health insurance companies to offer less-expensive plans that do not include the essential health benefits of Obamacare as long they provide at least one plan that includes them, the Washington Examiner reported.
The amendment, proposed by Sens. Ted Cruz from Texas and Mike Lee of Utah may also include a $45 billion fund for states to fight against the opioid epidemic and would maintain the 3.8 percent investment tax and 0.9 percent Medicare surtax on upper-income earners same as Obamacare.
No other big changes are expected in the bill from the version announced in June.
Cruz earlier told media that he did not know whether the bill would include his amendment, and if it is not, he would vote against the motion to proceed on the bill.
“The bill does not have the votes to go forward if there are not meaningful protections for consumer freedom that significantly lowers premiums,” CNN quoted Cruz.
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is expected to bring the bill to the floor next week for a first procedural vote and the Cruz’s proposal has already facing oppositions from groups representing patients and insurers, along with some other Republicans who want to maintain Obamacare’s coverage requirements.
Sen. Ran Paul of Kentucky has already declared his decision to vote against the bill citing it would leave too much of the Affordable Care Act in place. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine told reporters that she will also oppose the bill, if the Medicaid cuts remain the same.
Republicans have 52 seats in the Senate and need 51 ‘yes’ votes for the motion to proceed. All the Democratic Senators will oppose the bill and Vice President Mike Pence is expected to cast the tie-breaking vote if there is a 50-50 split.