Repeal, replace is over; bipartisan fix is needed

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

The predominate attitude among Democrats in the U.S. Senate was not celebration but relief, said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington, following Republican Sen. John McCain’s famous thumbs-down, assuring a 51-49 defeat of the “skinny repeal” that would have tossed out the Obama-era Affordable Care Act and insurance coverage for millions.

“It’s a relief to know we’re moving on from this and have shut the door on that conversation,” said Murray, in a phone interview Friday afternoon following the early-morning vote.

Whether that door stays shut depends on President Trump and Republican leaders in Congress. Some, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, want to move on to budget and tax reform issues. But Trump, in tweets over the weekend, lambasted Congress for failing to repeal and replace or just repeal Obamacare and address its replacement later. Instead, Trump vowed to let the ACA “implode.”

But it won’t implode without significant action — or inaction, rather — by the president. Trump, hoping to prod Republicans, has threatened to withhold cost-sharing reduction payments, reimbursements paid to health care insurers for the premiums and deductibles of low-income enrollees in the ACA’s insurance markets.

That’s a bad idea. Withholding the payments means reduced revenues for insurers who would pass on the costs of coverage to others with insurance, drop out of markets altogether or both. The result, according to a report by the Kaiser Family Foundation, would be a rate increase for most covered by insurance of about 19 percent. And while the federal government would save $7 billion in payments for this fiscal year, its overall costs would increase at least 23 percent because of the increased cost of tax credits provided to insure low-income families. Trump can’t withhold those.

http://www.heraldnet.com/opinion/editorial-repeal-replace-is-over-bipartisan-fix-is-needed/?utm_source=DAILY+HERALD&utm_campaign=312259831d-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_d81d073bb4-312259831d-228635337

[BigmanPigman]

1. I thought Graham doesn't want to move on either.

The fake prez threatens government workers about taking away their health benefits and out of spite wants to take subsidies away. This is not over...I knew it. I never underestimate the pure evil, greed and hypocrisy of the Repub. Hatch did go on record and said he doesn't want to hurt the poor who are ill and even though he's not crazy about the idea, he is for continuing the subsidies and said he'll tell the Donald so. I am not holding my breath though. Older but wiser!