Republican senators bring ACA alternative to the table — 5 things to know

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Sen. Susan Collin (R-Maine) introduced a proposal to former President Barack Obama's ACA, according to CNN.

Here are five things to know:

1. The senators say the alternative would grant states more power over healthcare policy while also providing Americans more access to affordable coverage and work to cover millions of American who presently lack insurance.

2. The bill would allow those states who want to maintain their ACA coverage to do so, with Sen. Cassidy saying, "They could opt to stay in Obamacare or they could opt for no federal help. So, California and New York, you love Obamcare? You can keep it."

3. CNN reports it is unclear whether the Republican Party will support the bill, which Sens. Collins and Cassidy first introduced in 2015. Representative Pete Session (R-Texas) has a companion bill in the House.

4. Under the proposal, states could implement the alternative plan of their choosing by 2019.

5. An opponent of the bill, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in a statement that the legislation is "a far cry from the full replacement plan (Republicans) have promised for years. Millions of Americans would be kicked off their plans, out-of-pocket costs and deductibles for consumers would skyrocket, employer-based coverage for working families would be disrupted and protections for people with pre-existing conditions, such as cancer, would be gutted. All while the wealthiest few get a tax cut."

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