WASHINGTON Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) received a standing ovation from senators of both parties on his return to the Senate on Tuesday to cast the deciding vote allowing debate to proceed on Affordable Care Act repeal legislation.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) even gave him a hug.

McCain was diagnosed with a fatal form of brain cancer last week that was found during surgery to remove a blood clot above his eye. Fellow senators, many of whom have worked with him for decades, were understandably moved by his return.

McCains cancer was detected thanks to his taxpayer-provided health insurance. He left his sick bed ahead of treatment to clear an obstacle to a bill that, even with major changes, would deprive millions of Americans access to health insurance.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated last week that a revised version of the Senate bill that included some concessions to moderate lawmakers would result in 22 million fewer people having health insurance than under current law.

McCain, in a speech following the vote, called for bipartisan cooperation on health care and revealed he would not vote for the GOPs legislation in its current form.

I will not vote for this bill as it is today, McCain said, emphasizing every word. Its a shell of a bill right now we all know that. I have changes urged by my states governor that will have to be included to earn my support for final passage of any bill.

Former Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R) used Obamacare funds to expand Medicaid in the state in 2013, and has spoken out against the Republican legislations rollback of that increase in coverage. Last month, her successor, Gov. Doug Ducey (R), said he was still examining the bill.

McCains office referred HuffPost to a statement earlier this month in which he announced his concerns about the impact of the GOP health care bill on the states Medicaid program. McCain said if the bill proceeded, he would introduce amendments to address those concerns, including by extending the phase-out period of Medicaid expansion funding to allow states like Arizona time to adjust.

This legislation should reward states like Arizona that are responsibly managing their health care services and controlling costs not penalize them, McCain said in the statement.