Let me say first, Senator Wyden, I am so sorry about this process. I would have preferred hearings, a markup, a Democratic cosponsor.

I don't defend this process, but I will say that no Democrat was interested in addressing the problems with Obamacare in my State.

Yes, you can spend, you can also supplement, if you will, the traditional Medicaid budget with the extra dollars that Kansas is receiving, and you have the flexibility to do that as well.

Senator Cassidy making very clear promises of what he wanted to see in the bill.

We protect those with pre-existing conditions. . . . The protection is absolutely the same.

funds are quite unequally distributed. Where you live should not determine how healthy you are.

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Blunt). Without objection, it is so ordered. Healthcare

the Presiding Officer has been presiding on many occasions when I have risen to speak about the need to repeal and replace ObamaCare, and although we did not succeed in our last effort in the beginning of August, I, personally, along with…

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. All time has expired. The question is, Will the Senate advise and consent to the Hassett nomination?

We do not attempt to be partisan with Graham-Cassidy-Heller. We are actually trying to be bipartisan.

We are actually just trying to be fair to all Americans no matter where she or he lives.

We do not want to be partisan.

I have to pick my political battles. I have people who have never read my legislation condemning it.

But in concept, that is a fair statement. A waiver with guardrails, if you will--okay.

Would it be acceptable if a State put in a combined 1332/1115 waiver if they wanted to combine their risk pools?

I think the real issue is care management as much as managed care.

We are not trying to be partisan; this is bipartisan.

I hope partisan is not something that, unfortunately, just originates on one side of the aisle.

In the Cassidy-Collins plan, in the Graham-Cassidy-Heller plan, we want to give States flexible block grants allowing States to do what they wish to do.

the individual mandate really does not do anything. It is actually Governors. If a Governor gets engaged, my gosh, things happen, but the individual mandate? Minimal effect.

I think it's better to say was a listening session with governors.

So simple answer is no, but let's just say that he's speaking specifically of the individual market which is only four percent of those who are insured.

I do think there's internal contradictions within the Affordable Care Act that makes it hard to sustain long term.

I want -- I think we need a fresh perspective, there needs to be fresh momentum.

we are struggling right now to find a replacement for the Affordable Care Act. The American people have voted in four successive elections for such a replacement, culminating in the election of Donald Trump to be President of the United…