By Christina Wilkie. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., on Friday said he “cannot in good conscience vote” for the latest GOP Obamacare repeal plan.

McCain is one of four Republican senators who have been undecided on the proposal, known as the Graham-Cassidy bill, and his opposition dealt the bill’s chances a significant blow. Health care stocks jumped on the news.

In a statement, McCain said his opposition stemmed in large part from how rapidly the bill, nicknamed for Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, was being pushed through the Senate in order to meet a September 30 procedural deadline.

McCain said he cannot vote for the bill without knowing how it will affect premiums, how much it will cost, and how many people it would help or hurt.

“Without a full CBO score, which won’t be available by the end of the month, we won’t have reliable answers to any of those questions.” he said. (Read more from “McCain Again Refuses to Support Obamacare Overhaul” HERE) https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/22/senator-john-mccain-says-he-cannot-support-graham

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Is Obamacare Finally Safe?

By Politico. Obamacare has endured more than seven years of political attacks, dozens of congressional repeal votes and four Supreme Court challenges. But as of today, the Democrats’ universal health care law is as secure as it’s ever been.

Sen. John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) opposition to the latest repeal effort sponsored by his closest friend in the Senate likely doomed the bill — and with it, the hope that Republicans could fulfill their campaign pledge to undo Barack Obama’s signature domestic policy achievement before a Sept. 30 deadline.

On top of that, the insurance markets are alive and, despite skyrocketing premiums and dwindling competition, face no threat of immediate collapse.

While the GOP repeal effort may not be over, it took a severe hit with McCain’s opposition just days before a Sept. 30 deadline. The 52-member Republican conference can afford to lose no more than two members. McCain joined Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) as public “no” votes. In addition, Sen. Susan Collins of Maine is widely viewed as a “no” — she trashed the bill to her local paper on Friday — and Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska is skeptical; both opposed the Senate repeal effort in July. (Read more from “Is Obamacare Finally Safe?” HERE)  http://www.politico.com/story/2017/09/22/is-obamacare-safe-243041http://www.politico.com/story/2017/09/22/is-obamacare-safe-243041