The appeal: “Skinny repeal” only touches the most unpopular parts of the ACA — and unlike the rest of the Senate’s proposals, it comes with a built-in insurance policy against total failure.
Conservatives still want to repeal more than just these two mandates. But passing something and getting into a conference committee with the House looks increasingly like the only way to keep that dream alive.
Even if that process falters, who wants to be the Republican standing in the way of repealing the individual mandate? McConnell’s argument about a binary choice — pass this or live with the ACA — gets stronger the closer he gets to his last resort. And he’s getting pretty close.
Skinny repeal wouldn’t directly cut Medicaid, which will help reassure Sens. Dean Heller and Shelley Moore Capito (though if it goes the conference-committee route, conservatives would likely take another stab at Medicaid cuts).
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