The Republicans have made a mantra out of repealing the ACA aka Obamacare. I’ve lost track of how many times they have voted to repeal it, but close to 60, I think. The surprising thing is how unprepared they really are to “repeal and replace”. They seem to have the repeal part down, but in all the years it has been since the law was enacted, they haven’t come up with a replacement plan. I think that even supporters of the ACA know that some things need fixing but no Republicans were willing to work with Democrats and President Obama to do so.
They could just repeal it. This would create chaos in the health care system and upset millions. I don’t think they want to deal with loss of support right away. I’m not sure that voters who say they don’t like the ACA understand that things like free vaccinations, physical exams, and mammograms are part of the Act. On the other hand, Republicans cannot seem to agree on a plan to replace the ACA. There are a lot of ideas, but no plan and not even a framework for a plan as far as I can tell.
In the January 4 edition of the New York Times, Robert Pear had an interesting and informative article, Republicans’ 4-Step Plan to Repeal the Affordable Care Act. In it he outlines the things that have to happen before Repeal.
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Vice President-elect Mike Pence, second from right, listened as the Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, spoke after a Republican luncheon on Wednesday.
Step One is to pass a budget resolution that is filibuster proof in the Senate.
The Senate intends to pass a budget resolution next week that would shield repeal legislation from a Democratic filibuster. If the Senate completes its action, House Republican leaders hope that they, too, can approve a version of the budget resolution next week. Whether they can meet that goal is unclear.
Step Two would add details.
Republicans say they will delay the effective date of their repeal bill to avoid disrupting coverage and to provide time for them to develop alternatives to Mr. Obama’s law. They disagree over how long the delay should last, with two to four years being mentioned as possibilities.
Step Three adds in ideas from President Trump.
Within days of taking office, President-elect Donald J. Trump plans to announce executive actions on health care. Some may undo Obama administration policies. Others will be meant to stabilize health insurance markets and prevent them from collapsing in a vast sea of uncertainty.
“We are working on a series of executive orders that the president-elect will put into effect to ensure that there is an orderly transition, during the period after we repeal Obamacare, to a market-based health care economy,” Mr. Pence said at the Capitol on Wednesday.
Step Four is replacement. For which there is no consensus.
Meanwhile Democrats are also taking action.
In the Senate next week, Democrats will demand votes intended to put Republicans on record against proposals that could protect consumers. Defenders of the law also hope to mobilize groups like the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association to speak up for patients.
This process is far from over. Even Republicans put implementation of a new health care law a minimum of 2 years out – just in time for mid-terms- and more likely, 4 years away – just in time for the next Presidential election.
Photograph: Doug Mills/The New York Times
Filed under: Congress, Health Care Reform, Politics, Public Health, Public Policy Tagged: Affordable Care Act, Congress, Democrats, Health Care, Politics, Republicans, Robert Pear Image may be NSFW.
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Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
