The fight over health care marked New York Senator Chuck Schumer's first real legislative showdown since he became Senate Minority Leader.

WNYC's John O'Connor says Schumer's efforts to maintain party unity and sink the bill showed both trust in his team, and a readiness to get hands-on with his fellow Democrats. He also took advantage of some tricks learned during his career as a lawmaking.

"Democrats got the Senate’s nonpartisan rule keeper to strike down some things conservatives really wanted," he said, like "allowing states to opt out of Obamacare’s coverage requirements; letting insurance companies charge older people more for insurance, and a plan allowing New York counties to hand off their Medicaid costs to the state."

All 48 Senate Democrats and three Republicans voted against the so-called "skinny repeal" measure.