Setback for Donald Trump as US Senate rejects move to repeal parts of 'Obamacare'

"This is clearly a disappointing moment," said majority leader Mitch McConnell. "I regret that our efforts were not enough, this time. It's time to move on."

Mr McConnell put the health bill on hold and announced that the Senate would move on to other legislation next week.

Mr Trump responded on Twitter: "3 Republicans and 48 Democrats let the American people down. As I said from the beginning, let ObamaCare implode, then deal. Watch!"

A key vote to defeat the measure was cast by Arizona Senator John McCain, who returned to the Senate this week after receiving a diagnosis of brain cancer. In an impassioned speech on the day he returned, he had called for bipartisanship on major issues of national concern, and a return to the "regular order" of legislating by committee.

Three Republicans joined with all Democrats to reject the amendment, which would have repealed a mandate that most individuals get health insurance and suspended a requirement that large companies provide coverage to their employees. It would have also delayed a tax on medical devices and denied funding to Planned Parenthood for a year.

The final vote was 49-51. Republicans Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine joined Mr McCain in voting no.

The amendment was a last resort for Senate Republicans to pass something - anything - to trigger negotiations with the House.

"It's time to turn the page," said Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer of New York. "We are not celebrating. We are relieved."

Health and human services secretary Tom Price said in a statement that the Trump administration would pursue its health care goals through regulation. "This effort will continue."

Buoyed by a signal from House Speaker Paul Ryan, Mr McConnell had introduced a pared-down healthcare bill late on Thursday which he hoped would keep alive Republican ambitions to repeal "Obamacare".

He had called his measure the Health Care Freedom Act. It was not intended to become law, but to open a path for a House-Senate conference committee to try to work out comprehensive legislation Congress could pass and send to Mr Trump.

The measure would have repealed the unpopular Affordable Care Act requirement that most people have health insurance or risk a fine from the IRS. A similar requirement on larger employers would be suspended for eight years.

Additionally it would have denied funding to Planned Parenthood for a year, and suspended for three years a tax on medical device manufacturers. States could seek waivers from consumer protections in the Obama-era law, and individuals could increase the amount they contribute to tax-sheltered health savings accounts for medical expenses.

Mr Ryan seemingly opened a path for Mr McConnell earlier on Thursday evening by signalling a willingness to negotiate a more comprehensive bill with the Senate. Some Republican senators had been concerned that the House would simply pass the "skinny bill" and send it to Mr Trump. That would have sent a shockwave through health insurance markets, spiking premiums.

Mr Ryan sent senators a statement saying that if "moving forward" requires talks with the Senate, the House would be "willing" to do so. But shortly afterwards, his words received varied responses from three GOP senators who had insisted on a clear commitment from Mr Ryan.

"Not sufficient," said Mr McCain, who returned to the Capitol on Tuesday. The 80-year-old had been at home in Arizona trying to decide on treatment options for brain cancer.

Senator Lindsey Graham initially said "not yet" when asked if he was ready to vote for the scaled-back Senate bill. But later he told reporters that Mr Ryan had assured him and others in a phone conversation that the House would hold talks with the Senate.

"I feel comfortable personally. I know Paul; he's a man of his word," said Mr Graham.