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Is this common sense or just more gutless repubs?

Posted on: February 9, 2017 at 08:14:00 CT
GA Tiger MU
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Probably the former but I always knew there would not be quick repeal and that replacement, even with part of obozocare, would be the outcome. But then, I'm smarter than most people. (Couldn't help it.)


Delaying ObamaCare Repeal Is Not An Option

Health Reform: Republicans are giving every sign that they are backing away from repealing ObamaCare anytime soon. If the GOP fails to get this done, it won't be the result of Democratic opposition, but their own incompetence.

Over the weekend, President Trump suggested that repealing and replacing ObamaCare could take a year or more. After saying just a few weeks ago that he was putting the finishing touches on a replacement plan, he's now talking as though the work has barely begun.

Some Republicans are talking up proposals to tinker around the edges with the law, and of "repair" rather than "repeal," because that's more politically palatable. Everyone is talking about how complicated the whole thing is. "Slow down!" seems to be the order of the day.

The fact that Republicans — who have been agitating for ObamaCare's repeal for six years — seem so totally unprepared to get it done now that they have the opportunity is remarkable.

It's not as though they don't have credible replacement plans. Trump's own secretary of Health and Human Services, Tom Price, introduced a replacement bill two years ago, and the House Republican leadership signed on to a detailed proposal over the summer. The GOP leadership and conservative health reforms are in general agreement about the basics of a replacement plan.

Maybe Republicans are confused about what needs to be done immediately, and what can be done over time.

The most urgent need is to repeal ObamaCare's disastrous insurance market regulations, its Rube Goldberg subsidy scheme and its costly benefit mandates. These are driving insurance premiums through the roof, industry profits into the ditch and pushing individual markets across the country to the brink of collapse.

Republicans don't need to be shy in arguing that they have a far better approach than ObamaCare-style central planning to fix the individual market.

Just eliminating ObamaCare's mandates and regulations will lower insurance costs, which can be further reduced by removing government-imposed barriers to competition and needless restrictions on Health Savings Accounts.

A simple, refundable tax credit can make insurance still more affordable to middle-income families, and more effectively than ObamaCare's bizarro-world subsidies. The sick can be taken care of without outlawing insurance underwriting through guaranteed renewability and high-risk pools.

The GOP also needs to remember that despite all the hoopla, relatively few people have actually gained coverage in the individual market because of ObamaCare. This year, for example, enrollment in the federal exchange was flat (and not because of any repeal talk), putting it dramatically below expectations. The young and healthy continue to avoid the exchanges because of costs, making these markets increasingly unstable. Before ObamaCare existed, 15 million managed to buy coverage on the individual market all on their own.

No matter what, the ObamaCare-caused crisis in the individual market must be dealt with, as soon as possible, particularly since insurance companies have to start announcing their 2018 premiums in two months. Delaying these actions will only embolden Democrats, and Republicans will take the blame for ObamaCare's inevitable market meltdown.

As for the rest of ObamaCare, the need for action is far less urgent.

ObamaCare's Medicaid expansion, for example, can be dealt with in due time as part of a wholesale Medicaid reform. Any changes to Medicaid will have to be phased in, which means that those who gained coverage under ObamaCare won't be affected in the interim.

ObamaCare's Medicare cost-cutting is likewise an issue that can be dealt with at a later date, also as part of broader fixes to the program. Most of the rest of ObamaCare amounts to tinkering around the edges of the health care system, and will be little missed by anyone.

Our advice is for the GOP to quickly and resolutely develop a plan to repeal and replace ObamaCare's individual market monstrosity, and dare Senate Democrats to filibuster it and leave the law as is.

If Democrats do that, then at least then public will know who to blame as ObamaCare exchanges continue to crumble.
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Is this common sense or just more gutless repubs? - GA Tiger MU - 2/9 08:14:00
     "Probably the former" - pickle MU - 2/9 08:15:50
          Pretty sure that GAT is not a Republican or Demlib... - Fourth and Long MU - 2/9 08:18:55
               I suggest you either pay closer attention to his posts - pickle MU - 2/9 08:32:05
                    As a frame of reference, what IS a conservative? - GA Tiger MU - 2/9 08:35:45
                         RE: As a frame of reference, what IS a conservative? - pickle MU - 2/9 08:37:02
                              Well, I am a complete liberal, if - GA Tiger MU - 2/9 08:55:50
                                   That doesn't answer the question at all - pickle MU - 2/9 09:42:00
                                        Well gee, if you are telling me what I think, I guess - GA Tiger MU - 2/9 09:45:29
               Thank you. Nice to find someone who pays attention.(nm) - GA Tiger MU - 2/9 08:25:26
               he's a liberal (nm) - SwampTiger MU - 2/9 08:22:17
                    Your definition of a liberal?(nm) - GA Tiger MU - 2/9 08:25:59
                         your definition is more relevant isn't it? (nm) - SwampTiger MU - 2/9 08:29:53
                              Not in this case. But I'll change the subject, to - GA Tiger MU - 2/9 08:34:18
                                   You ignore questions, like this one below - pickle MU - 2/9 08:35:40
                                   classic GAT (nm) - SwampTiger MU - 2/9 08:35:09
                                        Do you think he's aware - pickle MU - 2/9 08:42:13
                                             such a loaded question - SwampTiger MU - 2/9 08:53:34
                                                  You must have missed it. - GA Tiger MU - 2/9 08:57:06
                                                       Why do liberals ALWAYS ignore questions? - SwampTiger MU - 2/9 09:07:22
                                                            I ignore questions the answers to which are - GA Tiger MU - 2/9 09:31:44
                                                                 you missed my answer? - SwampTiger MU - 2/9 09:36:10
                                                                      Ok. Better answer than I usually get.(nm) - GA Tiger MU - 2/9 09:45:56




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