WASHINGTON — (CNN) It’s this week — or bust — for the Senate health care bill, as Republicans work to release a new version Monday.
Republicans released an updated version of their plan to repeal and replace Obamacare Monday afternoon.
The newest draft — which makes just minor changes to the original bill that was released Thursday — includes a provision meant to incentivize individuals to maintain their health insurance care coverage regardless of whether they are sick.
The newest plan would also bar people from getting insurance for six months if they had a lapse in coverage for 63 days or more in the previous year.
The provision wasn’t included in the original version of the bill, but health care experts have warned that without some kind of continuous coverage incentive, the health care market could become unstable. The point is to make sure healthy people have insurance, which helps keep premium costs down.
Senate Republicans are expected to make additional changes to their health care bill throughout this week as Majority Leader Mitch McConnell tries to find 50 senators to support his bill.
The Senate’s No. 2 Republican, Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, tweeted on Monday the Senate health care bill needs to pass “this week” before premium increases for next year are announced, a notable shift from comments he made Sunday where he described the “drop-deadline” for the legislation as August 1.
“I am closing the door. We need to do it this week before double digit premium increases are announced for next year,” Cornyn tweeted.
Leaders are reviewing next steps, including bringing their bill to the House floor for a vote shortly after the Senate acts.
“We will continue to keep all options open at this point,” the source told CNN.
Once they do a whip check, House GOP leaders could also decide instead to go to conference on the two bills and negotiate a new version.
If House Republicans feel the pressure to move quickly on a Senate passed bill procedurally the House Rules Committee would need to meet to set the parameters for the debate before anything could go to the floor.
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