The battle over Obamacare repeal starts now. Are Republicans going wobbly?

[nhboy]

Today Republicans are set to huddle on Capitol Hill with incoming Vice President Mike Pence to talk about their strategy for repeal, or repeal-and-delay, or repeal-and-replace, or repeal-and-maybe-replace, or repeal-and-pretend-to-want-to-replace — whatever you want to call it, Obamacare repeal is very likely to happen.

Are Republicans going wobbly? I doubt it will mean that much in the long run. But some reports this morning are hinting at it.

To be sure, Republicans are entering into a totally new phase — the great and glorious moment of liberation and catharsis they have long yearned for is upon them. But all is not bliss. For years, they could vote for repeal, secure in the knowledge that they would never have to deal with the consequences of it actually happening. Republicans could rail away without worrying that their own constituents would lose health coverage — allowing them to say they supported the ACA’s popular provisions while not explaining how they’d retain those things under a (non-existent) GOP replacement.

But, now that it is very likely to happen, Republicans are finding repeal isn’t so awesome, after all. CNN reports today that some Republicans are now publicly worrying about the Republican plan to repeal the law on a delayed schedule that would theoretically give them time to come up with a replacement later, and they’re pumping the brakes a bit:

Sen. John McCain told reporters…that he supports taking a slower approach to repealing the law, saying he is “always worried about something that took a long time in the making and we’ve got to concentrate our efforts to making sure that we do it right so that nobody’s left out.”

Newt Gingrich, the former Republican House Speaker and a close ally of President-elect Donald Trump, told CNN that a big risk for Republicans is getting blamed for taking away people’s health coverage. “Number one thing (Republicans) have to avoid is putting themselves in a position where Democrats can frighten people — that somehow, they won’t have access to health care because of Republicans,” Gingrich said.

Gingrich stressed that before Republicans send a bill repealing Obamacare to Trump’s desk, the party must make real progress on a replacement plan. “They have to have bridges to give people a sense of comfort that they’re not going to be abandoned,” he said.

GOP Sen. Rand Paul cited potential insurance market problems if the law isn’t replaced when it is repealed. “If Congress fails to vote on a replacement at the same time as repeal, the repealers risk assuming the blame for the continued unraveling of Obamacare,” he said in an op-ed Tuesday.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2017/01/04/the-battle-over-obamcare-repeal-starts-right-now-are-republicans-going-wobbly/?utm_term=.6bd6847e8d50
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[itsbob]

And the classless clueless current president is working with his gang to ensure Trump's transition is as difficult as possible..

Awesome way for an actual President to act, don't you think??

 

[awpitt]

An now, "the party of No" will have to actually stand up and do something substantive.

 

[glhs837]

An now, "the party of No" will have to actually stand up and do something substantive.

I predict a lot of twitter swatting while they get a clue. Compromise, it's a real thing. If half the beam under my house are rotten, I don't tear the house down, I jack it up and replace those beams.

 

[This_person]

I predict a lot of twitter swatting while they get a clue. Compromise, it's a real thing. If half the beam under my house are rotten, I don't tear the house down, I jack it up and replace those beams.

And, if they are all rotten, and the foundation upon which it sets is cracked and was formed with the wrong recipe for cement?

 

[stgislander]

The Repubs should already have a plan ready to roll out.

 

[glhs837]

And, if they are all rotten, and the foundation upon which it sets is cracked and was formed with the wrong recipe for cement?

Housejacking, it's a thing. Hell, you can haul the whole thing down the road to a new foundation.

 

[Hijinx]

I wish John McCain would go ahead and sit with the Democrats and stop calling himself a Republican.

What a POS he is.

Yes and a hero from yesterday can be a POS today.

 

[This_person]

Housejacking, it's a thing. Hell, you can haul the whole thing down the road to a new foundation.

So, it's worth it if the walls are also full of termites who have eaten more than half of all boards and beams? Oh, and wiring is not to code. And, the plumbing is made of lead. And the nails were really frozen silly putty.

 

[glhs837]

So, it's worth it if the walls are also full of termites who have eaten more than half of all boards and beams? Oh, and wiring is not to code. And, the plumbing is made of lead. And the nails were really frozen silly putty.

But that's the thing. There are reforms that should be made. Just lighting everything on fire isn't a solution. At least put up a few tents for the homeless folks who took shelter in there before you do.

 

[Larry Gude]

To be sure, Republicans are entering into a totally new phase — the great and glorious moment of liberation and catharsis they have long yearned for is upon them. But all is not bliss. For years, they could vote for repeal, secure in the knowledge that they would never have to deal with the consequences of it actually happening. Republicans could rail away without worrying that their own constituents would lose health coverage — allowing them to say they supported the ACA’s popular provisions while not explaining how they’d retain those things under a (non-existent) GOP replacement. ]

Given the potus elect was, and is, very publicly for the two main (only?) things everyone likes about the most atrocious piece of legislation in the history of the republic, I'm not sure where the concern is?

 

[Larry Gude]

But that's the thing. There are reforms that should be made. Just lighting everything on fire isn't a solution.

That's not what Trump does.

He's going to save the pre-existing bit, the 26 year old 'child' bit and get rid of the mandate. He'll use the existing architecture of Medicare, open up the monopolies to let competition fight costs and let congressional GOP'ers have their bits and pieces and get on board OR have Trump calling them out heading into mid terms and face a media that suddenly finds all sorts of good things about Trump.

The challenge is how to get more money into the system. If it was me, I'd just let it be understood that if you don't have insurance, you will still be treated as per the EMTA https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_Medical_Treatment_and_Active_Labor_Act
but you will be subject to a fairly large deductible of whatever your bill might be. Call it $5k or so? When kids start seeing that it's cheaper to have some basic insurance than risking the deductible, they'll tend to buy in. You need a stick and a carrot and that was what Obama couldn't get right. American's don't mind the idea of a fine, of taking their chances. We DO mind mandates. Trump, as a business guy, in my view, is going to see the market component, how to offer up choices people will respond to. The ACA looks like it was built by a community organizer who couldn't be bothered with details. I'm expecting Trump-Care to look more like a business person appealing to customers built it.