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Another Health Care Setback for Donald Trump

By Jeralyn, Section Trump Administration
Posted on Wed Jul 26, 2017 at 04:20:45 PM EST
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The bully in the oval office lost today. The Senate voted against repealing the Affordable Health Care Act (Obama Care) without a replacement. Also,

On Tuesday night, a version of a repeal and replace plan, called the Better Care Reconciliation Act, failed to overcome a parliamentary objection that the bill had not yet been scored by the Congressional Budget Office.


Here's how they voted.

There are a lot of Republican plans in the works. Here's how they compare.

There may be a vote later this week on whatever Republicans settle on. But they are all bad.

< John McCain's Speech to the Senate | Scaramucci Goes Off the Charts With Fuming Tirade >

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    Another Health Care Setback for Donald Trump | 65 comments (65 topical)

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    The Republican senators (5.00 / 1) (#12)
    by KeysDan on Thu Jul 27, 2017 at 10:03:36 AM EST
    really should know what they are voting on---maybe even read something, anything..about it. Health coverage is easy for those who know nothing about anything, but actually has moving parts. Move one, another moves too, and not in the desired direction.

    The Republicans hate the expansion of Medicaid, but the "Skinny" may lead to, essentially, ....expansion of Medicaid. Because "Skinny" repeals their dreaded mandate.

    Obamacare's individual mandate is geared to produce group-like (broad pool) predictability so as to track and average premiums, based on sick and healthy.

     The "skinny" mandate repeal increases insurer's risk and increases premiums. The CBO estimates an increase in premiums of about 20 percent.  For those eligible for ACA subsidies, the increase in those premiums will be picked up by larger government subsidies.  Those in the exchanges get more government subsidies to offset the increase in premiums.  More, not less government spending.   Those with higher incomes than for traditional Medicaid continue to get subsidies...as with expanded Medicaid.

    However, those with incomes above subsidy-eligibility (middle income) get stuck with paying the higher premiums.  So much higher that they can't afford it, and will have to drop out (CBO, 16 million).

     For these middle income working people, health care becomes Emergency Room.  For hospitals, they are likely to get a bad debt, and smaller ones, will find themselves in trouble, especially the small rural hospitals.

    "Skinny" is more diabolic that it may, at first, seem.  But, loss of insurance for some because of higher premiums and more government spending for subsidies to offset the increase in premiums for working poor, are among the grand features of "Skinny."

    But there is some danger lurking in the (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by Anne on Thu Jul 27, 2017 at 12:10:26 PM EST
    skinny repeal strategy:

    Rank-and-file Republican senators are girding themselves to vote for a trimmed-down repeal of Obamacare that pulls out the unpopular individual and employer mandates without touching much of the rest of the program, convinced that the House wouldn't just take their exact bill and send it along to President Trump to sign.

    Their argument is the bill buys them time and acts as an empty vessel for congressional leaders to pour the magic potion of a passable replacement into during a conference between House and Senate leaders. They say the worst-case scenario at that point is that no bill materializes and the effort collapses later instead of this week.

    [...]

    There's no reason to think a conference committee will have any better luck finding a bill that 50 GOP senators and 218 GOP congressmen can support. At that point, there's a real possibility that whatever the Senate passes would be passed into law by desperate House Republicans before the Senate ever gets to touch it again.

    If the Obamacare repeal debate has proven anything, it's that many GOP lawmakers are a lot more interested in what's politically possible than what's good policy. It's easy to see how passing something, anything, might become the mantra if conference negotiations fall apart, President Trump demands a win while congressional leaders make the "but you promised" argument to reluctant lawmakers. It's what they've been doing from the start.

    Senate leaders are already hinting at that prospect. Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-TX) floated the idea of Republicans just passing the skinny repeal into law and calling it a day Wednesday afternoon, telling reporters, "The House could take up the Senate bill and pass that or they could amend it and send it back."

    Passing a bill that repeals the individual and employer mandates would be nothing short of disaster, which means its chances with Republicans may be better than we think.

    Parent

    Yes, it's sad (5.00 / 4) (#15)
    by Zorba on Thu Jul 27, 2017 at 01:49:11 PM EST
    but it's all too true, Anne.
    Removing the individual mandate, in particular, would lead to even more healthy people not purchasing health insurance.
    Which would lead to the most expensive people left purchasing health insurance.  Which would inevitably lead to huge increases in the cost of health insurance.
    Of course, we all know what needs to be done.  Universal health care, the way most of the Western countries approach health care.
    We could call it "Medicare For All" and the commercials in favor of this almost write themselves.
    "Does your Granny like her Medicare?  Wouldn't you like to have it, too?"

    Parent
    to be understood (5.00 / 1) (#64)
    by linea on Thu Jul 27, 2017 at 11:34:31 PM EST
    Removing the individual mandate, in particular, would lead to even more healthy people not purchasing health insurance.

    i wish folk would realize that NOBODY who can afford healthcare goes without healthcare. high-paid consultants and wealthy businessmen - who dont get company subsidized health-care - pay for healthcare and have healthcare for themselves and their families.

    it is people who cant afford healthcare who dont have healthcare.

    some seem to imply there are 'evil selfish healthy young people' refusing to pay for healthcare. we want healthcare but we dont qualify for a subsidy and thus cant afford healthcare.

    We could call it "Medicare For All"

    yes. that's a very interesting idea. if only we could get the american democratic party to champion such a novel idea.

    i support the democratic party platform on these issues:

    • Ensure the Health and Safety of All Americans
    • Supporting Community Health Centers
    • Reducing Prescription Drug Costs
    • Securing Universal Health Care

    but the platform FAILS without mentioning medicare-for-all.
    in my oponion.

    Parent
    and (none / 0) (#13)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 27, 2017 at 10:06:58 AM EST
    a collapse of the entire insurance industry.

    which is why it will not pass.  screw people,  its insurance companies we need to worry about.

    Parent

    Appears that the House (5.00 / 2) (#17)
    by CoralGables on Thu Jul 27, 2017 at 03:38:27 PM EST
    will attempt to make the skinny bill law before the weekend is up if the Senate passes it. No conferencing. Pass it and declare victory. Either Ryan has been lying to the Senate or McConnell has been lying to his fellow Senators

    I think this was (none / 0) (#18)
    by KeysDan on Thu Jul 27, 2017 at 03:43:41 PM EST
    the plan.  whatever the senate passed, the House would take it lock, stock and barrel.

    Parent
    Press Conference in 10 minutes (5.00 / 1) (#19)
    by CoralGables on Thu Jul 27, 2017 at 04:03:31 PM EST
    McCain, Graham, and Johnson.

    Could be the death of skinny if they band together.

    Parent

    You better get out of there pronto, CG, ... (5.00 / 1) (#33)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Jul 27, 2017 at 05:19:21 PM EST
    ... before all their sanctimonious hot air sucks the oxygen right out of the room.

    Parent
    Too Late (5.00 / 1) (#37)
    by CoralGables on Thu Jul 27, 2017 at 05:37:53 PM EST
    The hot air exceeded Death Valley levels.

    Parent
    What do you think the odds are ... (5.00 / 1) (#44)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Jul 27, 2017 at 06:21:58 PM EST
    ... that all three will find a way to vote for the bill's final passage on Third Reading, regardless of whatever version appears? I'd say it's better than even.

    Parent
    Watching TV (none / 0) (#21)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jul 27, 2017 at 04:18:27 PM EST
    now and McCain and Graham and pretty much saying we can't vote for a blank bill.

    Parent
    Meanwhile, 20 Republican members of (5.00 / 3) (#55)
    by Anne on Thu Jul 27, 2017 at 09:19:26 PM EST
    the House Judiciary Committee are calling for the appointment of a new special counsel to investigate Hillary Clinton, James Comey and Loretta Lynch:

    House Republicans call for a second special counsel -- to investigate Clinton, Comey and Lynch

    From the letter:

    "The unbalanced, uncertain, and seemingly unlimited focus of the special counsel's investigation has led many of our constituents to see a dual standard of justice that benefits only the powerful and politically well-connected," the letter said. "For this reason, we call on you to appoint a second special counsel to investigate a plethora of matters connected to the 2016 election and its aftermath, including actions taken by previously public figures like Attorney General Loretta Lynch, FBI Director James Comey, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton."

    Don't mind me - I'll just be over here in the corner, banging my head on the desk...

    Worst f***ing government that money cay buy. (5.00 / 3) (#62)
    by desertswine on Thu Jul 27, 2017 at 11:20:07 PM EST


    Parent
    All bad (none / 0) (#1)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 26, 2017 at 05:31:50 PM EST
    And almost certainties only all dead.

    It's looking more and more that ultimately they will repeal the medical device tax and call that reform because that's all they are going to get.

    Geez (none / 0) (#2)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 26, 2017 at 05:33:02 PM EST
    ALMOST CERTAINLY ALL DEAD

    Parent
    Might wanna put the pen down Donnie... (none / 0) (#3)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 26, 2017 at 05:45:42 PM EST
    before the little right hand cramps up...it's gonna be awhile before you have papers to sign that you will not have read, attempted to understand, or even mildly contemplated for more than a few fleeting ADD moments.

    There are other things (none / 0) (#4)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 26, 2017 at 06:12:23 PM EST
    He could do with that pen

    I could send him a list

    Parent

    POLITICO (none / 0) (#5)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 26, 2017 at 06:15:33 PM EST
    'Skinny' Obamacare repeal still lacks votes to pass

    Yeah (none / 0) (#6)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Jul 26, 2017 at 10:13:46 PM EST
    because if you take away the mandate preexisting conditions collapse and the insurance companies are against the mandate removal.

    Parent
    Because (none / 0) (#9)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 27, 2017 at 05:39:59 AM EST
    The insurance market would collapse because only sick people would be in it.

    Parent
    Skinny could be close (none / 0) (#7)
    by CoralGables on Wed Jul 26, 2017 at 10:24:53 PM EST


    Parent
    Going to have to find someone (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by CoralGables on Wed Jul 26, 2017 at 10:26:26 PM EST
    other than Murkowski and Collins and not sure who that might be.

    Parent
    Reportedly some right wingers (none / 0) (#10)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 27, 2017 at 05:41:11 AM EST
    Don't like the "skinny" part.

    Although Paul seems onboard

    Parent

    Heller (none / 0) (#11)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jul 27, 2017 at 06:50:11 AM EST
    is in a bad spot with all this.

    Parent
    If not Heller (none / 0) (#16)
    by CoralGables on Thu Jul 27, 2017 at 02:38:46 PM EST
    I'm not sure there is a 3rd. This is a kick the can to keep it alive and I'm looking at 50-50.

    Parent
    if they are depending on (none / 0) (#25)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 27, 2017 at 04:42:21 PM EST
    assurances and leadership from Ryan.........

    i dont even know how to finish that

    Parent