[Drago]

Not buying the CNBC explanation...”cost containment provisions” (usually reduced payments to doctors/hospitals) can be enacted separately after repealing every word of Obamacare.

The GOPe will probably end doing this: https://www.conservativereview.com/commentary/2017/01/the-republican-plans-to-embrace-obamacare-2-0

[Eagle Forgotten]

I said that, instead of complete repeal, the GOP "could keep some of the deficit-reducers" in Obamacare. The article you linked agrees with that statement.

The CNBC explanation appears to be correct as to the specific matter that Rand Paul was voting on. My impression is that it was to pave the way for total repeal, which would increase the deficit. Paul's point seems to be that he doesn't want a deficit increase now with a possibility of reduction later (a reduction that would come if they re-enact some parts of Obamacare).

That Conservative Review article you linked is very informative about what kind of betrayal we should watch for from the Republicans in Congress.