“The effects of anesthesia” - A man in Tennessee on why his mom agreed to name him Darthvader. This wasn’t the name she was looking for.

IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH

THE STORY

Yesterday, the House juuusssttt barely voted to repeal and replace Obamacare. Now, the ball’s in the Senate’s court.

BACK UP.

Earlier this year, the GOP tried and failed to pass this same bill. Dems weren’t into it, and neither were many Republicans for lots of reasons. Ever since, GOP leaders have been tweaking the bill to get enough Republicans on board. It worked.

SO WHAT’S IN IT NOW?

The bill cuts taxes on wealthier Americans that used to fund Obamacare. It lets states decide whether “essential benefits” like maternity and mental health care are covered, which could drive down costs for some. It makes it legal for insurance companies to charge more to people with pre-existing conditions. PSA: in some cases, pregnancy and being a rape survivor are considered pre-existing conditions. It temporarily defunds Planned Parenthood. And it also cuts funding for Medicaid - the program that covers low-income people.

WHAT ARE PEOPLE SAYING?

Republicans say the new plan will lower costs and give people more freedom when it comes to their healthcare choices. Dems say it will leave millions without coverage.

WHAT’S NEXT?

The bill heads to the Senate, where it’s not exactly Mr. Popular. The Senate’s been working on its own replacement plan for weeks, and might even ignore the House bill altogether. Stay tuned.

theSKIMM

If an Obamacare repeal passes, it’ll be the first major piece of legislation under President Trump’s watch. It’ll also mean big changes for the healthcare industry, which is one-sixth of the US economy.

REPEAT AFTER ME...

WHAT PEOPLE ARE WATCHING…

Alabama. Earlier this week, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) signed a law that lets adoption organizations refuse potential parents based on religious beliefs. Supporters say it protects religious freedom. But critics say this means adoption groups can discriminate against same-sex couples. Reminder: back in 2015, the Supreme Court said ‘welcome to the 21st century’ and made same-sex marriage legal across the country. Since then, some states have been pushing back by introducing or passing religious freedom laws to let organizations deny services to same-sex couples. South Dakota, Michigan, Virginia, and North Dakota all have similar adoption laws. Now Alabama’s the latest state to jump in.

WHAT TO SAY TO YOUR FRIEND WHO PLANS ON WATCHING THE KENTUCKY DERBY...

Speaking of horse races. France goes to the polls on Sunday to pick a new president. Moderate Emmanuel Macron is up against far-right candidate Marine Le Pen. Everyone and their political mother has been watching this race because Le Pen represents a historically racist party that - until now - has been way outside of France’s mainstream. And she’s campaigning on a nationalist platform to close the country’s borders and leave the EU. Meanwhile, Macron reps a party that he just founded last year. He’s pro-EU and pro-open borders. And yesterday, even former President Obama weighed in to endorse him. It’s unusual for current and former US presidents to get involved in foreign elections. But Obama said he was doing it because of how important this election is for “the future of France.” Macron’s ahead in the polls. Bonne chance.

WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOUR BOSS PLAYS FAVORITES…

Getting a little political. Yesterday, President Trump signed an executive order to make it easier for religious organizations and charities to get involved in politics. Right now, US law says these groups can lose their tax-exempt status if they support political candidates. Supporters of the current law say it’s needed because of a thing called separation of church and state. But many religious groups say it violates their right to free speech. The executive order doesn’t dump the law, but it does direct the IRS to go easy on enforcing it. This came the same day Trump said he’s heading to Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the Vatican later this month - aka some of the religious capitals of the world. This is his first foreign trip as president. He’s hoping he can get the Mideast players to come together in the fight against terrorism. And give the US’s relationship with Israel a boost before potential Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. Holy goals.

WHAT TO SAY TO YOUR AUNT WHO LIKES HER MORNING JOE…

Mazel.

SKIMM READS

Into the Water by Paula Hawkins

The second book from the author of The Girl on the Train. About a town where shady things keep happening in a certain river. Mother’s Day is coming up. This one’s perfect for the mom who always has shelf space for thrillers. Buy here.

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