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Article snippet: Senate Republicans are including the repeal of ObamaCare’s individual mandate in their tax-reform bill, a risky play that meets President Trump’s demands but could cost the measure support from centrists. Repealing the mandate gives Republicans more money to offset the cost of tax cuts, and would fulfill a long-standing GOP promise to eliminate a core part of former President Obama’s health-care law. Republicans can afford only two defections in the Senate and pass the tax bill if all Democrats oppose it, but Sen. MORE (R-S.D.) expressed confidence that Republicans have the votes after a count. Sen. MORE (Maine), one of three GOP senators who voted against the Republican ObamaCare repeal bill earlier this year, said she still had concerns about repealing the mandate after the lunch. She said her concerns would be heightened if the Senate moved to eliminate the mandate without first approving legislation sponsored by Sens. MORE (D-Wash.) aimed at stabilizing insurance markets. Republicans have refused to bring up that bipartisan deal. “I personally think that it complicates tax reform to put the repeal of the individual mandate in there, particularly if it's done before the Alexander-Murray bill passes, because of the impact on premiums,” Collins said. Thune said the Alexander-Murray bill would be brought up separately. It funds key payments to insurers for two years in exchange for more flexibility for states to change ObamaCare rules. Sen. MORE (R-Ariz.), anoth... Link to the full article to read more