22m to lose health cover in Senate bill

Some 22 million Americans could lose their health insurance over the next decade under a Senate bill to replace Obamacare, a congressional report says.

However, the bill would reduce the budget deficit by a total of $321bn (£252bn) in 2017-2026, the non-partisan Congressional Budgetary Office said.

Similar legislation passed by the House of Representatives was also said to be likely to leave millions uninsured.

A number of Republicans have expressed reservations about the Senate plan.
The draft legislation, unveiled last week, is unlikely to be approved by Democrats, who see it as cruel and unfair.

President Donald Trump's Republican party is struggling to secure the 50 votes it needs to get its bill through the Senate when it comes to the floor next week.

On Thursday Republicans Ted Cruz, Ron Johnson, Mike Lee and Rand Paul said they were "not ready to vote for this bill", but were "open to negotiation".

Mr Johnson said on Sunday there was "no way" there should be a vote on the legislation this week.

Top Democrat Nancy Pelosi earlier warned that "hundreds of thousands" of Americans would die if congressional Republicans pass their healthcare legislation.

Source-BBC