That is a saving of 14k for each person going uninsured. That person can be you or anyone in your family, one out of 10 people living here.
Once you are without a job for a few months you will get the pain of paying health insurance premium, or not having health insurance at all. You can become homeless in no time.
Your life is being weighted against 14k saving of the fed budget!
Once you are without a job for a few months you will get the pain of paying health insurance premium, or not having health insurance at all. You can become homeless in no time.
Your life is being weighted against 14k saving of the fed budget!
9
If you open the graphic link to this article, you find that the "savings" touted is due to cuts to Medicaid and healthcare subsidies. The $337M is the net "savings," arrived at after taking a $600M tax break for the wealthy off the top of these cuts.
7
"You may have already observed that in Casablanca, human life is cheap."
- Paul Ryan
- Paul Ryan
6
I remember the whole issue of the ACA's purpose was to insure the uninsured who supposedly were the cause of insurance premiums skyrocketing by visiting emergency rooms with no resources therefore leaving hospitals to bear the costs forcing insurance companies to bear the brunt which was then passed down to us the consumer. Twenty million were insured slowing the rate hikes which in turn would save $$ in the long term. With 24 million LOSING their insurance, how do they figure in saving $! The uninsured would still get sick, hurt, etc., and the trend would once again be repeated! Are they not taking into account the burden that the uninsured places on the health industry which was the main issue of health reform? Where would the savings be with four million MORE uninsured than before ACA? More alternate facts?
13
Think of all the money we could save if the government did NOTHING to provide for the general welfare of the citizens of the United States.
15
Save 337 Billion? As little kids tell each other, in their mean way. you can lose twenty pounds of ugly fat if you cut off your head. The ends don't automatically justify the means.
11
Now wouldn't you just know that the billions saved would be at the cost of the common American? Isn't that similar to Trump's increase in the industrial-war machine? Our defense budget (huge) would increase while domestic programs decrease. Hence, Trump/Republican programs love the bottom line of insurance companies as well as companies in the defense industry.
Wrong!
Wrong!
9
Universal health care. Canadians live longer than Americans on socialized medicine.
18
Picking the health plan that you want or don't is a high value requirement for the Republicans. I really like Ferrari automobiles. I would choose a Ferrari. There I have exercised my freedom to choose. However, I do not and have not the prospect of finding the money needed to purchase, own and care for one, so I will never be able to exercise my choice. Was it ever a choice if I had no means to get it? Republicans are big on choice but indifferent as to whether anyone may act upon their choices.
11
I love the huge savings projected in the Trumpryan plan. I extrapolated that thinking to my own household. We decided to save $500 a month or so by not buying groceries. It will be a tremendous savings. I thought that might have a less than optimal outcome, but was assured by my Republican leaders that just having the grocery store nearby was all that I needed. It appears that I don't really need what's inside, just the ability to see it and to enjoy the savings from not buying food. I am over 65, so I might not have time to appreciate or experience fully the tremendous pecuniary opportunities presented by not having to pay for food, but it will sure save time by not having to deal with those pesky produce prices.
17
in 1993 and 2009, there were multi-million-dollar media campaigns opposing those attempts at health care reform. Why are we not seeing anything like that today? The current proposal is so much worse.
5
Because those campaigns were funded by the insurance industry, in election years. Their buddies were elected this time and are now doing their bidding.
10
Nothing more appetizing than having sick uninsured infectious restaurant workers prepare the royal luncheon.....
6
A run on Emergency Rooms by the uninsured should create in the "minds" of Congress, a sense of the urgency of healthcare coverage.
4
What I have never understood is the support for trump and his ilk from the people who stand to loose the most?? Have we become so politically naive that we throw away our value for those bags of beans trump is selling.
7
Could the Republicans refer even once to the Affordable Care Act without sticking some insulting adjective on it? The ACA was a compromise: many, if not most Democrats would choose a single-payer system.
Healthcare for profit, as we see every single day, doesn't work well. It makes money, but it doesn't make people healthy.
As far as free market health insurance, what say you and I start up a small business? Hey, how about a health insurance company? A mom and pop health insurance company? This isn't "free enterprise" in any sense the term gets Ryan'ed around all the time, accompanied by a placard with two or three words on it, Ryan's constant prop.
Let's just expand Medicare. Anyone on Medicare knows that it's the best.
Healthcare for profit, as we see every single day, doesn't work well. It makes money, but it doesn't make people healthy.
As far as free market health insurance, what say you and I start up a small business? Hey, how about a health insurance company? A mom and pop health insurance company? This isn't "free enterprise" in any sense the term gets Ryan'ed around all the time, accompanied by a placard with two or three words on it, Ryan's constant prop.
Let's just expand Medicare. Anyone on Medicare knows that it's the best.
12
After seven years, this, really,seriously, this is what the GOP presents as a 'viable replacement'. (Yes, I used quotes)
No, the only acceptable answer is that every single citizen gets the health care and pension that each of you have claimed for yourselves and your families. Anything less is unacceptable. Government is not in the business of making money - it is not a profitable enterprise as a whole, but it appears to be that a few profit at the expense of the many. Government service is the GOP oxymoron.
No, the only acceptable answer is that every single citizen gets the health care and pension that each of you have claimed for yourselves and your families. Anything less is unacceptable. Government is not in the business of making money - it is not a profitable enterprise as a whole, but it appears to be that a few profit at the expense of the many. Government service is the GOP oxymoron.
12
Since this is Paul Ryan’s health plan for those of us who are not members of Congress, I should like to ask him two things:
1) Will he add an amendment that requires all members of Congress to replace their present governmental health coverage with Ryan Care?
2) Will he personally forgo the tax cuts for the wealthy that are included in his plan?
He seems to think it is such a fine plan for us, the people. How about putting our money where his mouth is and including himself and his Congressional colleagues (both Republican and Democratic), the 535 people who are making this law which will apply to some three and a quarter million citizens (presently minus the 535 in Congress who have a separate Cadillac version of health care paid for by the rest of us).
1) Will he add an amendment that requires all members of Congress to replace their present governmental health coverage with Ryan Care?
2) Will he personally forgo the tax cuts for the wealthy that are included in his plan?
He seems to think it is such a fine plan for us, the people. How about putting our money where his mouth is and including himself and his Congressional colleagues (both Republican and Democratic), the 535 people who are making this law which will apply to some three and a quarter million citizens (presently minus the 535 in Congress who have a separate Cadillac version of health care paid for by the rest of us).
11
Does the $338 billion dollars in savings account for the extra costs of saving those among the 24,000,000 should they become ill and need healthcare?
8
Average premiums for people buying insurance on their own would be higher in the beginning and than they would go down (to 10% below the projected under current law). It seems that the average citizen is affected by and supplementing the ACA, yet gets no credit for doing this. Premiums have soared while Obama takes the title and all the credit. He should have been gracious enough to share the glory, as well as the burden of national health care.
1
How can anyone say that costs under the ACA have soared when this paper recently reported that just 3% of the insured had rising costs? What is it about our politicians (Republican) that keep them from wanting the best life possible for ALL of our people? A healthier nation will bring benefits to all of us in ways we can't even begin to imagine. Too bad that one major political party has sold it's soul for money and power. Yeah, too bad for the rest of us!
9
When have free market economics in health care ever saved lives? HMOs are now under the Department of Commerce, not under the Department of Health Services.
The goal of insurance companies, and HMOs, is to increase stockholder returns -- period. These entities will now be free to charge what they wish, and exclude who they wish. Without Medicaid coverage, older people, or people with expensive illnesses, will die.
This Congress is the Death Panel they spoke about regarding Obamacare. They think small -- about their own lives, liberties and happinesses, without a thought to governance and protecting their constituents.
They have chosen money over people's lives, they have abdicated their sworn responsibility to protect and serve and should be voted out.
The goal of insurance companies, and HMOs, is to increase stockholder returns -- period. These entities will now be free to charge what they wish, and exclude who they wish. Without Medicaid coverage, older people, or people with expensive illnesses, will die.
This Congress is the Death Panel they spoke about regarding Obamacare. They think small -- about their own lives, liberties and happinesses, without a thought to governance and protecting their constituents.
They have chosen money over people's lives, they have abdicated their sworn responsibility to protect and serve and should be voted out.
9
After reading the CBO report I have a comment on the methodology and the results:
1. The savings projected over 10 years is $337 billion. It includese the persons who choose not to sign up and therefore are not an expense covering their insurance costs. That saving does not include the additional expense incured when those people do get sick or injured and visit a doctor or emergency room. The emergency room must treat them. Emergency rooms are very expensive. Not all the people will pay their bills. That money has to come from somewhere, either increased premiums or government. That is an additional expense not taken into account by the CBO.
1. The savings projected over 10 years is $337 billion. It includese the persons who choose not to sign up and therefore are not an expense covering their insurance costs. That saving does not include the additional expense incured when those people do get sick or injured and visit a doctor or emergency room. The emergency room must treat them. Emergency rooms are very expensive. Not all the people will pay their bills. That money has to come from somewhere, either increased premiums or government. That is an additional expense not taken into account by the CBO.
5
This was supposedly the main reason there was a need for healthcare reform. The burden the uninsured placed on the whole system. What is the GOP thinking besides $$ in their pockets? Pitiful!
6
Is Spicer wearing one black shoe and one brown one?
8
I'm trying to understand Paul Ryan's arguments about the CBO report. The projected savings is $337 billion. Ryan says that part is accurate. The projected number who will lose coverage is 24 million by 2026. Ryan says that part is bogus.
The thing I don't understand is that you have to multiply the number of people involved times the amount saved to arrive at the total amount of money.
So how does Ryan get to (CBO estimated) $337 billion saved if the (CBO estimated) 24 million dropped from the program is wrong?
The thing I don't understand is that you have to multiply the number of people involved times the amount saved to arrive at the total amount of money.
So how does Ryan get to (CBO estimated) $337 billion saved if the (CBO estimated) 24 million dropped from the program is wrong?
9
The bill Republican AHCA bill hatched in the dead of night is an unconscionable repeal of the ACA/Obamacare with minimal replacement. This ideological attack on Medicaid and potential weakening of Medicare will have significant impact on older Americans.
Radical restructuring of Medicaid will not just affect and repeal the parts related to the ACA/Obamacare. Block grants to the states or per capita caps will reduce the money paid to the states for Medicaid patients. These include seniors, children and people with disabilities. The majority of seniors (63%) are on Medicaid as their primary payer. Block grants or per capita caps will reduce payments to nursing homes and cause them financial difficulties.
Replacing income based subsidies with tax credits based on age will also disadvantage older Americans (age 50 – 64). Insurance companies will be allowed to charge them 5 times more than young people for premiums. Tax credits for those with limited incomes will not match the premium increases.
The ACA/Obamacare introduced new taxes on drug makers, high income workers, and medical device makers that contributed $3 billion to the Medicare Trust Fund in 2015 alone. The Republican Plan repeals these taxes and the lost revenues would impact the future solvency of Medicare. The undermining of Medicare could be a prelude to another ideological approach: a voucher program that shifts costs and risks to seniors.
Radical restructuring of Medicaid will not just affect and repeal the parts related to the ACA/Obamacare. Block grants to the states or per capita caps will reduce the money paid to the states for Medicaid patients. These include seniors, children and people with disabilities. The majority of seniors (63%) are on Medicaid as their primary payer. Block grants or per capita caps will reduce payments to nursing homes and cause them financial difficulties.
Replacing income based subsidies with tax credits based on age will also disadvantage older Americans (age 50 – 64). Insurance companies will be allowed to charge them 5 times more than young people for premiums. Tax credits for those with limited incomes will not match the premium increases.
The ACA/Obamacare introduced new taxes on drug makers, high income workers, and medical device makers that contributed $3 billion to the Medicare Trust Fund in 2015 alone. The Republican Plan repeals these taxes and the lost revenues would impact the future solvency of Medicare. The undermining of Medicare could be a prelude to another ideological approach: a voucher program that shifts costs and risks to seniors.
3
Wait a minute. I believe employers are required (by the ACA) to give their full-time employees health insurance and if they choose not too, they pay a progressive tax. So that would explain why there are less people covered directly by ACA than expected. The tax employers pay helps offset the cost of premiums for those who are insured through ACA.
1
There is something that Ryan, McConnell et al seem to not understand: US taxpayers are their employers. Taxpayers enable Ryan, McConnell, Price and their colleagues, as well as ALL career federal employees, to enjoy the benefits of employer-provided healthcare through the US government. But ultimately, since US taxpayers are the employers, then shouldn't we also ALL have the right to exactly the same healthcare plans and options as federal employees and elected officials? After all, in the private sector, when employers provide healthcare benefits for employees, the employers themselves can have those benefits as well. So how is it that US taxpayers - the employers that fund the US government - do not get the same healthcare benefits as our employees??
7
Good planning, indeed. Not only did the guy on the left fail to pick out matching shoes for the day, but it looks like he maybe didn't use the restroom before the press conference.
6
If you consider the deficit reduction that Ryan and other conservatives are hyping, then the lives of the people who will lose coverage is worth a little over $14,000 each.
3
Start a TWITTER-STORM + one in DC Streets + demand that congress get the same health care as we citizens (who pay for their wages).
(I'd like to hear from Trump voters if they stick to their vote - or is there 'buyers remorse').
(I'd like to hear from Trump voters if they stick to their vote - or is there 'buyers remorse').
9
How come no one points out the CBO may have been too optimistic about the number of people that would be covered by health insurance when they scored the ACA, but now the Republicans are saying the CBO is being too pessimistic when scoring the ACHA? If the CBO has an optimistic bias, the number of people that will lose their coverage could be much greater.
3
I have heard that Paul Ryan’s salary was reported to be $223,500, which also comes with a decent health plan. Ryan should put him and his family on a budget of $55,638 per year salary (reported median income for Wisconsin in 2015) and the kind of the health plan he advocates. Perhaps, such will help him to think about whether the type of the plan he is pushing on us would have saved a person like his own father from dying of a heart attack at the age of 55.
Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, Tom Price, Donald Trump and his billionaire cabinet members- why don’t they consider giving up on their salary for a year—perhaps, that may be enough to pay for health coverage for 24 million people. Yes, President. We need your salary now for health saving account for the people- not the end of the year.
Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, Tom Price, Donald Trump and his billionaire cabinet members- why don’t they consider giving up on their salary for a year—perhaps, that may be enough to pay for health coverage for 24 million people. Yes, President. We need your salary now for health saving account for the people- not the end of the year.
6
Didn't the GOP complain about death panels with Obamacare? How is what they're doing any different - the GOP death panel that created this legislation is consigning millions to sickness and early death.
3
This is why my clinic and doctor have been badgering me to fill out an advance directive...
4
Something is being lost in all the articles about people becoming uninsured. What will happen to the hospitals who have to treat these uninsured when them come in with very serious neglected conditions? Perhaps total health care expenses have decreased lately in the U.S. because many people are treating their illnesses before they become life threatening.
6
Watching Sean Spicer right now: "the goal is to get more access to health care that people can afford" This is not true, based on listening to Republican Party supporters of Ryan bill. They emphasize "tax relief" and "block grants" and "reduces deficit". They then offer rhetoric of "health care" - but the priority is the ideology of dismantling "entitlements" - that includes, as Ryan has said many times - Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. Their "goal" is to reduce the Federal gov't. Their goal is NOT to have people in our country be able to go to the doctor. We need to stop saying it's a health care bill and tell the truth - it's a tax cut bill for the super rich, and the first step in going after Soc. Security and Medicare.
8
BUT will the $337 Billion saved be enough to cover all the weekend trips and the residence in NY ??
Who cares if we don't take care of our poor and elderly as long as the rich get richer. A poor example to the world and our children. Very sad.
Who cares if we don't take care of our poor and elderly as long as the rich get richer. A poor example to the world and our children. Very sad.
4
Spicer just claimed that the CBO has historically been 50% off!
That means the CBO's estimate of the Republican instigated damage could escalate to 36 million uninsured, only $168 Billion cut in the deficit and $900 Billion tax cut to the Healthiest Elite.
That means the CBO's estimate of the Republican instigated damage could escalate to 36 million uninsured, only $168 Billion cut in the deficit and $900 Billion tax cut to the Healthiest Elite.
5
The saving of $337 billion divided by 24 million (the number of uninsured) and you get $14,000. It is clear that the savings are not worth human lives when the return is so low.
3
ctivist Grover Norquist famously declared, "I don't want to abolish government. I simply want to reduce it to the size where I can drag it into the bathroom and drown it in the bathtub."That's an apt description for the GOP approach to Medicaid, too.Medicaid is the government program that provides health insurance coverage for low-income Americans. Like Medicare, the program for the elderly, Medicaid is a single-payer system. Unlike Medicare, which is fully funded at the federal level, Medicaid is a joint effort that involves federal and state government spending.Medicaid has numerous problems. As conservatives routinely point out, several studies show health outcomes for Medicaid recipients are no better than for people without insurance. State governments also don't have the same freedom to deficit spend as the federal government. So the fact that Medicaid is a "defined benefit" program — it commits to a certain level of coverage for recipients, then forks over whatever money is necessary to meet those obligations — can create big fiscal liabilities for state budgets.
3
Trump promised better care, lower costs, universal coverage and no cuts to Medicaid. And in the blink of the eye and without a second thought Trump reneged on all those promises. Likely because he, his family and the rest of the 1% will get a massive tax break under this "plan."
Guaranteed, if this succeeds, next up will be Social Security and Medicare. And Trump will renege on his promises "not to touch" these programs in the blink of an eye, and go along with the longstanding Republican goal of gutting these "entitlements."
Guaranteed, if this succeeds, next up will be Social Security and Medicare. And Trump will renege on his promises "not to touch" these programs in the blink of an eye, and go along with the longstanding Republican goal of gutting these "entitlements."
5
This is a wish list for insurance companies who only want to insure those who are young and healthy. So, they cynically and cold-heartedly set up the plan so that the young will be happy with their lower premiums but those who are older will not be able to pay for their plan and will most likely drop out -- just when they are developing more health problems.
Republican lawmakers show us every day how shrunken their hearts are while they support the wealthy and corporations.
Republican lawmakers show us every day how shrunken their hearts are while they support the wealthy and corporations.
4
They are back at it. They did it under Reagan and now they are doing it under Trump. Robbing the poor to feed the glutenous rich, while they drape themselves in the American flag.
6
340B out of a 3.5T budget that's less than 10% TEN PERCENT people that's what we're talking about here, not even close to sales tax.Numbers sound huge huge tho, everyone likes huge numbers.
Healthcare is affordable and accessible for everyone in the US - who has enough money. Should government ensure that everyone has health insurance? Republicans say NO because it is against the core principals of GOP platform. Liberal democrats say YES because the socio-economically single-payor system is the most functional (and least expensive). Which is why other western countries have adopted this system and often allowed supplemental private health insurance with private care providers participate the market. Why not the US? There is really no reason - the GOP members of congress and senate really do not end up paying other people's insurance. It is just a matter of GOP principal (and political contributions) - no or minimum government entitlement programs regardless the loss of human life or individual well-being.
2
24 million without healthcare?
That would be like the entire populations of the following states that voted Trump into office going without coverage:
1. Alabama
2. Georgia
3. Louisiana
4. Missouri
5. Tennessee
6. Kentucky
7. West Virginia
8. Kansas
9. Arkansas
10. Idaho
11. Montana
12. South Dakota
13. North Dakota
14. Iowa
15. Nebraska
That would be like the entire populations of the following states that voted Trump into office going without coverage:
1. Alabama
2. Georgia
3. Louisiana
4. Missouri
5. Tennessee
6. Kentucky
7. West Virginia
8. Kansas
9. Arkansas
10. Idaho
11. Montana
12. South Dakota
13. North Dakota
14. Iowa
15. Nebraska
9
There has been a 70% increase in applications for NZ citizenship, by Americans, after Mr Trump's election win. Do this web search for this article in todays NZ Herald:
Americans' applications for NZ citizenship up 70 per cent after Donald Trump's election win
Americans' applications for NZ citizenship up 70 per cent after Donald Trump's election win
3
If this statement were made about anything else that was way overpriced, would the outrage be the same? Say it said: 24 million unable to buy Porsches because Trumpcare, would anyone care? Maybe that's why the Germans first came up with VW bug for themselves and then pawned off the Porsche 911's on us, because we were dumb enough to buy a Bug with a high price tag because we thought it made us look like big shots.
1
Many letter writers are outraged by a tax break given to the rich. But folks, it is just the repeal of the tax that was imposed by the ACA. As is the repeal of the requirement to pay a tax (nee 'fee') if you do not wish to buy the one-size-fits-all ACA policy.
The fundamental problem not addressed by the ACA or the proposed new plan is the overall cost of medical care in the US. All the ACA or its replacement does is 'rearrange the deck chairs' of how the country pays for it; there is no free lunch. The ACA attempts to spread its cost through a number of revenues: the capital gains surtax, the 'fee' on the non-participant, reduced Medicare payments, tax on medical equipment manufacturers, tax on employer 'Cadillac' plans, et al. But these taxes and the money gathered through the ACA premiums have not been enough to sustain the program; hence the steep annual premium increases making the ACA increasingly unaffordable. The ACA is caught in a premium death spiral; if nothing is done, the ACA will eventually collapse; only the taxpayer funded Medicaid expansion will survive.
It's fair and reasonable to dislike the proposed changes but the ACA, in its current form, is not viable. It must be modified.
The fundamental problem not addressed by the ACA or the proposed new plan is the overall cost of medical care in the US. All the ACA or its replacement does is 'rearrange the deck chairs' of how the country pays for it; there is no free lunch. The ACA attempts to spread its cost through a number of revenues: the capital gains surtax, the 'fee' on the non-participant, reduced Medicare payments, tax on medical equipment manufacturers, tax on employer 'Cadillac' plans, et al. But these taxes and the money gathered through the ACA premiums have not been enough to sustain the program; hence the steep annual premium increases making the ACA increasingly unaffordable. The ACA is caught in a premium death spiral; if nothing is done, the ACA will eventually collapse; only the taxpayer funded Medicaid expansion will survive.
It's fair and reasonable to dislike the proposed changes but the ACA, in its current form, is not viable. It must be modified.
American voters understand the out of pocket savings associated with universal health care. The taxes they will pay are far cheaper than buying their own insurance.
5
I do apologize for being slightly off-topic, but isn't it time we accord Mr. Trump the appropriate brand recognition that he deserves? i recommend "Lyin' Donald" or "Lyin' Trump" or "Lyin' POTUS" and for his health insurance plan "Lyin' TrumpCare".
4
Pretty consistent message across the board.
Everyone wants someone else to pay for their healthcare.
I know people that had no health care before and now pay $15,000 year on a $60,000 salary. And those who are self-employed that have seen health insurance increase 300%. Neither one of these scenarios work or are affordable.
The 17% mandated ACA profit margins for the insurance companies isn't interesting to them, so they are dropping out (Aetna, UHC)
Here's a better idea. The government gets out of the healthcare business, except for those that paid into already.
https://www.medicare.gov/about-us/how-medicare-is-funded/medicare-fundin...
Then we can move on to finding housing for the homeless. Jobs for the Jobless. Education aligned with forecasted jobs at graduation.
Everyone wants someone else to pay for their healthcare.
I know people that had no health care before and now pay $15,000 year on a $60,000 salary. And those who are self-employed that have seen health insurance increase 300%. Neither one of these scenarios work or are affordable.
The 17% mandated ACA profit margins for the insurance companies isn't interesting to them, so they are dropping out (Aetna, UHC)
Here's a better idea. The government gets out of the healthcare business, except for those that paid into already.
https://www.medicare.gov/about-us/how-medicare-is-funded/medicare-fundin...
Then we can move on to finding housing for the homeless. Jobs for the Jobless. Education aligned with forecasted jobs at graduation.
The Dems have to get involved. they have to srgue for universal health care. Obama's ACA was a compromise even in their own party. Now is the time for the progressive wing to say their piece.
6
Much ink has been spilled regarding the potential loss of coverage due to changes in federal health insurance laws. Yet no one has chosen to explore the effectiveness of said "coverage".
Most of the health insurance plans cost more than $3,000, per year, some much more and come with $10,000 deductables. I don't have the figures at my finger tips but the overwhelming majority of the population does not spend in excess of $10,000 per year on health care. For all those people the premiums of between $3,000 and $8,000 is money wasted. Imagine for a moment if the individuals in question invested the premium, over 40 years they would have saved between $150.000 and $300,000 or more and would be able to pay for their own health care of if they remain healthy have a nice nest egg.
In the event of serious illness and the policy holder's expenditure exceeds the deductable the insurance plan still only covers a percentage of the doctor's bill, typically 80% of the bill. Let's say the policy holder wants to make sure that he/she is getting what they pay for and see the check that the insurance company has written to the doctor. Can they see it? They cannot. It is against the law for HC providers to reveal how much they are paid by health insurance companies. What does that tell you? What have the insurance companies got to hide? It tells you that the insurance companies are not anywhere near as much as they claim to.
Most of the health insurance plans cost more than $3,000, per year, some much more and come with $10,000 deductables. I don't have the figures at my finger tips but the overwhelming majority of the population does not spend in excess of $10,000 per year on health care. For all those people the premiums of between $3,000 and $8,000 is money wasted. Imagine for a moment if the individuals in question invested the premium, over 40 years they would have saved between $150.000 and $300,000 or more and would be able to pay for their own health care of if they remain healthy have a nice nest egg.
In the event of serious illness and the policy holder's expenditure exceeds the deductable the insurance plan still only covers a percentage of the doctor's bill, typically 80% of the bill. Let's say the policy holder wants to make sure that he/she is getting what they pay for and see the check that the insurance company has written to the doctor. Can they see it? They cannot. It is against the law for HC providers to reveal how much they are paid by health insurance companies. What does that tell you? What have the insurance companies got to hide? It tells you that the insurance companies are not anywhere near as much as they claim to.
1
Time to march for single payer health care! It's obvious there is no other alternative.
Politicians are twisting themselves into pretzels to try to get a "so called free market" approach and it just doesn't work. When will we consider all the better ideas that other countries use....sigh.
Politicians are twisting themselves into pretzels to try to get a "so called free market" approach and it just doesn't work. When will we consider all the better ideas that other countries use....sigh.
8
The poorest counties in the nation - where people are most likely to lose the medical coverage - overwhelmingly voted for Trump.
One cannot help a person who does not want to be helped.
One cannot help a person who does not want to be helped.
4
So if I'm a senior making $26,500 I'm expected to spend $14,600 of it on my healthcare premium and that doesn't include co-pays and other out of pocket expenses. Senator Ryan, what am I supposed to live on?
Trumpcare gives hundreds of millions in tax breaks to the most wealthy and supports a multi billion dollar insurance industry whose only business is making money, not providing affordable health insurance.
Trumpcare gives hundreds of millions in tax breaks to the most wealthy and supports a multi billion dollar insurance industry whose only business is making money, not providing affordable health insurance.
8
In his next press briefing, when asked why Trump repeatedly assured that everybody will be covered, Sean Spicer will say:
a) he was taken out of context
b) he did not mean that literally
c) he was just joking
d) Obama drugged me
e) all of the above
a) he was taken out of context
b) he did not mean that literally
c) he was just joking
d) Obama drugged me
e) all of the above
11
Trumpcare would actually be a disincentive for corporations to hire older workers. Or to put it another way, an incentive to either fire or lay them off. Because their insurance premiums will cost the company 70% more than a young person in benefits.
So the older worker would face not only age discrimination on the job but also insurance discrimination. This is a recipe for disaster for the older workers.
So the older worker would face not only age discrimination on the job but also insurance discrimination. This is a recipe for disaster for the older workers.
8
While I don't agree with Rand Paul, I prefer his honesty over RyanDontCare or TrumpDontCare plan that Ryan and Trump have put forward. Paul says there is no role for government to play in health care and that is a conservative position that you can agree or disagree with, buts its an honest position. Ryan and Trump that they claim is some kind of repeal and replace of the ACA and then they engage in lies and doublespeak that this allows Americans the freedom to opt out or the freedom to make their own doctor's appts. with the doctors they want without addressing the fact that of the 24 million who will be thrown off, maybe a tiny percentage will have the freedom to come out ahead with self pay. What TrumpDontCare and RyanDontCare really is is a plan to repeal the ACA with no plan except some useless tax credits. Sadly, the dumb trump voters who will be hurt by TrumpDontCare will somehow end up blaming Obama for this.
5
The problem with the Republicans is they believe they are in power to serve the rich. Anybody that s not rich does not count. You can see that in this new bill, which is essentially a tax cut for the super rich. This not just shortsighted it is plain stupid. It will tear up the fabric of our society and leave the majority of us out in the cold for the benefit of tiny minority of glutenous individuals that do not need to get any fatter.
2
It is my opinion that because if the vindictive attitude in wanting to "destroy" as he put it, the Legacy of the former President, he doesn't care whose "house he burns down, even if its his own" as the saying goes of those with vengeance in their hearts.. .God Bless America...Trump knows no God.
1
Put a hold on the health insurance of Congress until they create healthcare for the American people. I only wish that were possible.
16
So, today after shoveling snow I see a commercial on TV about Charles Manson and I thought - wait a minute. Even in federal prisons, prisoners get health care. True, they may have a co payment, but they are still getting health care. Now with Republicare or Trumpcare or Ryancare, or whatever it's called, those that are incarcerated will be better off with regard to health care than 14 million other Americans. Just despicable. Just despicable.
23
Makes one eonder if there are any Republican level headed and intelligent ones that can stand up and take action for those who believed in then. .can they not see what they as a cluster are committing against the American citizens.. God Bless America for Trumo has no God...
Proponents of the ACA (me included) will do well to start driving home to the American public the damage Trumpcare will cost to the *middle* class.
The continued emphasis on the lower class perpetuates the "them" component,
that it will only harm "them."
The middle class folks need to wake up and smell the coffee---while this disaster may not after many of them now, it very well will affect the choices their children have, and will have, in the future. Do you want to have your grandchildren suffer if their parents get laid off? Clearly the GOP doesn't care.
The continued emphasis on the lower class perpetuates the "them" component,
that it will only harm "them."
The middle class folks need to wake up and smell the coffee---while this disaster may not after many of them now, it very well will affect the choices their children have, and will have, in the future. Do you want to have your grandchildren suffer if their parents get laid off? Clearly the GOP doesn't care.
9
All the focus on the 24 million number distracts from the footnote that projects 17,000 more people will die in 2018 under the ACA. How is this not genocide?
6
I dont understand your point.
- Are you saying that 24 million people are less relevant than 17,000 people, and might they not include the same people?
- And where did you get 'projects 17,000 more people will die in 2018 under the ACA.' care to explain what those figures specifically mean?
-Why will they die?
Old age?
- Where are your links and contextual meaning re that statement?
- How is it that people can still post such inflammatory, unsubstantiated statements in the NYT?
And with the full knowledge of the amount of unverified misinformation and lies that have been going around, especially from the GOP.
- Are you saying that 24 million people are less relevant than 17,000 people, and might they not include the same people?
- And where did you get 'projects 17,000 more people will die in 2018 under the ACA.' care to explain what those figures specifically mean?
-Why will they die?
Old age?
- Where are your links and contextual meaning re that statement?
- How is it that people can still post such inflammatory, unsubstantiated statements in the NYT?
And with the full knowledge of the amount of unverified misinformation and lies that have been going around, especially from the GOP.
Of course, you conveniently exclude the fact that those deaths will be a result of Scrooge-like Republican governors' refusal to expand Medicaid in their states.
The facility with which conservatives twist facts and outright LIE is astonishing.
The facility with which conservatives twist facts and outright LIE is astonishing.
3
maybe you should read/study what "genocide" means. your accusation is as irresponsible as when people cavalierly throw around words like "nazi".
This guillotine about to chop off the head of the public trust in American government is the scandalous result of Mr. Stupidity marrying Miss Corruption. The blindness and callousness implicit in this travesty will mark 21st Century Sociopolitical and Socioeconomic history, and will be the undoing of the Republican Party, long overdue. Long live the USA!
7
No, it's the result of Mr. Genius and Mrs. Know-It-All lazily staying home on Voting Day. Millions of Democrats felt she had it in the bag, and didn't bother to vote. Others didn't vote because they felt the Democratic National Committee purposefully sabotaged Bernie's primary campaign (they did) and stayed home to protest the rigged primary. If all those Democrats would have voted, we wouldn't be having this discussion. Woulda shoulda coulda didn't. We Democrats have no one to blame but ourselves and our own DNC for this predicament. It's kind of funny watching all these liberals blaming everyone but themselves, though. I actually hope Trump gets 8 years to teach the crooked DNC and non-voters a lesson. But the truth is they'll never accept responsibility for it.
1
The decrease in the deficit will occur because fewer people will be on Medicaid and other reasons. But this will not mean lower expenses for the Government. When people without insurance need medical care, they will still get it but in the emergency room which provides medical care at much higher cost.
12
One question? How many of the 23-24 million ever contributed anything to America, in the way of work, exactly who are these people, ages, racial make-up, education and region of the States in which they live? Well, many questions, one sentance.
2
Your comment is shocking...and quite depressing.
2
and what have you contributed? They are citizens and health is not a privilege, that is all that needs to be said.
4
where would you put women who have raised kids as their "work"? Are you saying the receiving a pay check is what measures the "contribution to America" ?
3
So has everyone done the math?
$337 Billion saved, divided by:
10 Years to achieve savings, divided by:
24 Million additional humans without healthcare =
Ready?
$1,404 per person purged form the system, per year. Seriously, that is all that is saved to squander the health and welfare of our citizens???
And someone (everyone who thinks they are saving) will end up paying that money, most likely far more, indirectly when people go to the emergency room and are unable to pay. Well, at least the middle and lower-class will pay. People making higher incomes (and I am one of them) will get nice fat tax breaks. Disgusting.... Hopefully others getting those tax breaks will also donate that money to people in need, but not likely....
$337 Billion saved, divided by:
10 Years to achieve savings, divided by:
24 Million additional humans without healthcare =
Ready?
$1,404 per person purged form the system, per year. Seriously, that is all that is saved to squander the health and welfare of our citizens???
And someone (everyone who thinks they are saving) will end up paying that money, most likely far more, indirectly when people go to the emergency room and are unable to pay. Well, at least the middle and lower-class will pay. People making higher incomes (and I am one of them) will get nice fat tax breaks. Disgusting.... Hopefully others getting those tax breaks will also donate that money to people in need, but not likely....
26
God Bless you sir, your heart is in the right place ..
3
24 million people.
Just to help put this in perspective, that's the entire population of Rhode Island, Nebraska, Vermont, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Kansas, Idaho and Nevada combined.
Just to help put this in perspective, that's the entire population of Rhode Island, Nebraska, Vermont, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Kansas, Idaho and Nevada combined.
16
Its more than the whole population of Australia!
1
"The CBO is over-rated and talentless. SAD!"
1
So bad--just waiting for locusts to attack Capitol Hill.
2
Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, Trump, Sean Spicer, Mick Mulvaney, the 23 republican members of the Committee on Ways and Means, the 31 republican members of the Energy & Commerce Committee and many more republicans in congress and the state legislatures are all putting money ahead of people.
I don't understand these republicans. In Georgia the estimate is that 300,000 Georgians, the poor, old and those living in the rural counties of Georgia will lose their health insurance because of this republican bill to replace the ACA and kill off the Medicare Law. Across America it is estimated to be 24 to 26 million will lose health coverage.
These republicans predict this bill will "lower the deficit." They predict premiums will "be lower." They predict people will have choices, "access."
They predict that premiums will go up but that by 2026, there will be a premium reduction of 10%. "Premiums would be 15 to 20 percent higher in the first year compared with under the ACA but 10 percent lower on average after 2026, the report stated. " But what about the yearly premium increases between 2019 and 2026; 7 years worth of premium increases that then might get a 10% drop in 2026, or after. By then the premiums this year in 7 years at a 15% increase per year would cost 105% more. 7 years at a 20% increase, more likely, would be a 140% increase over this years ACA premium. These republicans don't mention that do they?
I don't understand these republicans. In Georgia the estimate is that 300,000 Georgians, the poor, old and those living in the rural counties of Georgia will lose their health insurance because of this republican bill to replace the ACA and kill off the Medicare Law. Across America it is estimated to be 24 to 26 million will lose health coverage.
These republicans predict this bill will "lower the deficit." They predict premiums will "be lower." They predict people will have choices, "access."
They predict that premiums will go up but that by 2026, there will be a premium reduction of 10%. "Premiums would be 15 to 20 percent higher in the first year compared with under the ACA but 10 percent lower on average after 2026, the report stated. " But what about the yearly premium increases between 2019 and 2026; 7 years worth of premium increases that then might get a 10% drop in 2026, or after. By then the premiums this year in 7 years at a 15% increase per year would cost 105% more. 7 years at a 20% increase, more likely, would be a 140% increase over this years ACA premium. These republicans don't mention that do they?
6
Eh, a little off topic, but why is Spicer wearing two different shoes?
6
Utterly bizarre! And he is trying to hide it with his foot turned in like a sixteen year old girl shy on her first date.
Its that an analogy for Trumps regime, a different shoe on each foot.
God they are utterly shambolic. A more disreputable bunch of seedy incompetent corrupt fools is hard to imagine.
If Democrats presented themselves the way Bannon, Spicer and Conway do there would be howls of 'disrespect for the office/Presidency' echoing across the land.
Its that an analogy for Trumps regime, a different shoe on each foot.
God they are utterly shambolic. A more disreputable bunch of seedy incompetent corrupt fools is hard to imagine.
If Democrats presented themselves the way Bannon, Spicer and Conway do there would be howls of 'disrespect for the office/Presidency' echoing across the land.
3
Probably injured his right foot. Taxpayers, of course, will be paying his medical bills and rehab.
3
Did you expect to have more people covered?
1
Trumpcare: Massive financial shake-down and extortion racket of US citizens
Trumpcare: Brought to you by con man, swindler and grifter extraordinaire
Donald Trump and his master apprentices Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell.
Trumpcare: We will go after you, your neighbors, your friends, your relatives and your family.
Trumpcare: It's your choice. Your money or your life.
Trumpcare: Brought to you by con man, swindler and grifter extraordinaire
Donald Trump and his master apprentices Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell.
Trumpcare: We will go after you, your neighbors, your friends, your relatives and your family.
Trumpcare: It's your choice. Your money or your life.
13
How many of us here are invested in the Health industry and would you be willing to divest and take your money to a more sustainable area like renewable energy?
Profiting is one reason we aren't getting what we need for health care!
https://biz.yahoo.com/p/5peeu.html
Profiting is one reason we aren't getting what we need for health care!
https://biz.yahoo.com/p/5peeu.html
6
With trump its all about grandsizing himself, wanting to make history, wanting to make money for himself with his positon as potus; if he could see what we see every day in hospitals, illnesses don't discriminate and the uninsured pay the prize with undeserved death ...God Bless America...
Trumpcare, Trumpcare. Trumpcare, Trumpcare. Trumpcare, Trumpcare. Trumpcare, Trumpcare. Trumpcare, Trumpcare. Trumpcare, Trumpcare.
Nobody knew owning it would be so hard...
Nobody knew owning it would be so hard...
7
What is the purpose of shoving through a bad plan? Seriously Republicans, go back and re-work it. You are acting like my 10 year old when she had to write an essay she was not interested in. I made her go back and re-work it. Shouldn't you adults do the same?
6
Folks, neither the ACA nor the AHCA fixes the healthcare problem in America. Let's remember that "Health Insurance is expensive, because HealthCare is expensive". Insurance will take care of itself . . . competition in America is healthy. Neither the ACA or the AHCA is reducing the cost of care !! Way too much $$ is spent on hospitals, pharmacy, OP services (among other things). Perhaps we Americans have too big of an appetite for expending healthcare dollars using other peoples money.
3
Healthcare is not a product or a privilege it is a bloody right. Like education, healthcare, are two things that are critical for our our country to function, they have no business being in the for profit industry. Only a shortsighted individual or a republican would think otherwise. Besides dont you have plenty of other areas where you can pillage, rip off, the American public? Stop serving your personal interest and serve the interest of your country.
6
"Health Insurance is expensive, because HealthCare is expensive".
Actually, it's the other way around: healthcare is expensive because for-profit insurance is expensive. As for competition, I would say there is no competition going on, only collusion to keep rates extremely high and coverage punitive. Nothing healthy about it.
Actually, it's the other way around: healthcare is expensive because for-profit insurance is expensive. As for competition, I would say there is no competition going on, only collusion to keep rates extremely high and coverage punitive. Nothing healthy about it.
5
Guns vs. Butter. The Guns won.
4
Taxes Too!
Republicans do not give a damn about Boomers in their early 60s. Clearly.
And they have smiles on their faces!
And they have smiles on their faces!
4
Republican dietary guidelines:
"Let them eat cake"
"Let them eat cake"
2
The young do not think they will get old and the healthy do not think they will get sick. The Rebublicans do not think they are wrong. Trump does not think he is not qualified. Whites who do not like Obama do not think they are bigited.
The rich do not think their money and power comes from the poor. The poor do not think they are in anyway responsible for their situation.
And the list go on, and on, and on.
The rich do not think their money and power comes from the poor. The poor do not think they are in anyway responsible for their situation.
And the list go on, and on, and on.
12
"Who knew" that our country was "so complicated" ?
God help us all, God help us all, God help us all.... God Bless America.
How do we implement universal healthcare for American citizens and legal alien residents?
A five percent tax at the gas pump, going into Gore's lock box.
Anybody . . .
A five percent tax at the gas pump, going into Gore's lock box.
Anybody . . .
7
What about a twenty five percent tax on the rich to fund healthcare and education combined with a fifty percent cut of our useless military budget...
4
The only real problem with the Affordable Care Act is the absence of any regulation of the gross profits health insurance companies and corporate hospitals overly enjoy. This would have been the next legitimate chapter in the evolution of the ACA for any entity seriously interested in the health of our nation and the costs sustained by its populace. All members of Congress and government in general should be required to obtain their own health insurance, only then will they potentially understand the enormity of the burden most Americans are truly experiencing and realize that something much more serious needs to be done to reign in this abominable calamity.
3
that is why we need a single payer or a social security a la Canadian or a la française.
4
Senators and Congress members, beware in 2018
6
I think most Americans don't want to think about their health care...sort of like their retirement or long term saving. It's better for them to have it handed to them such as in a single payer system, or certainly ACA. O and did you know that the much ballyhooed health savings accounts....a management fee is assessed so again someone is making money off the backs of the little guy. And what is the deal with removing the limit on what is the CEO's or some person can make? I can't recall what it is.
The republican motto - back to the future.
This health bill would NOT SAVE $337B; 52+Million people across all 50 U.S. states will use hospital emergency rooms as their source of healthcare. The cost to states will go ballistic...probably exceed the expected savings.
This is not a health bill; it is a transfer of wealth from the middle and working-class to the wealthy 1%. This should be criminal.
This is not a health bill; it is a transfer of wealth from the middle and working-class to the wealthy 1%. This should be criminal.
10
Nice headline, Times. What were you thinking? Your phrasing suggests that there's the bad side - oh, wait, but there's a good side. The Republican health care attack on those of us who can't afford health insurance and who rely on Medicare and Medicaid, almost qualifies as News That Isn't Fit to Print.
1
Under their watch, Republicans are allowing Trump to create the most corrupt White House ever.
7
while Obamacare is not perfect, mandating insurance helped prevent ER as a main source of healthcare only to leave hospitals washing off millions each year in charity care. i must mention those individuals "who have not needed insurance their whole life" and refused to buy it, they own stocks, bonds, annuities, vacation homes then refuse to pay their 30,000 dollar medical bill when they have a heart attack. who foots this bill for the person that makes and has twice as much as i do? you and i. while republicans state there is more to roll out...we might want to wonder what their plan is for nursing homes paid for by medicaid. you might want to considering adding on if you have a parent whose nursing home care is paid for by medicaid. clearly the best interest of the most vulnerable is not the priority here. obamacare is not perfect but it was a start. get out your xxxx kickers...its going to get deeper. the CBO is on target, healthcare numbers were off primarily due to medicaid expansion.
6
No one with any assets to speak of refuses to pay their medical bills as it's pretty easy to lien those assets while you get a court ordered judgment to pay your bill.
Every time I hear "access" to health care I want to puke.
We have "access" to responsible government. A lot of good that's done us!
We have "access" to responsible government. A lot of good that's done us!
11
As Krugman pointed out, we were asked by the administration not to refer to this plan as "Trumpcare." (Krugman noted that that's all the more reason to call it Trumpcare.) Trump knows perfectly well that this plan is a disaster, hence it's the one thing on the planet he doesn't want his name on.
I'm glad to see that the Times so far has, in pockets, been referring to this plan as Trumpcare. I suggest we go a step further and all consistently call it "Trumpdon'tcare." Maybe it's a phrase that will stick with his electorate, since they apparently think in phrases (e.g., "make America great again").
I'm glad to see that the Times so far has, in pockets, been referring to this plan as Trumpcare. I suggest we go a step further and all consistently call it "Trumpdon'tcare." Maybe it's a phrase that will stick with his electorate, since they apparently think in phrases (e.g., "make America great again").
5
What the American people failed to hear from 2010 to present date is the Republican party was the reason that legislation did not occur and the President was forced to issue Executive Orders. That was the start of the "Swamp".
http://swampland.time.com/2012/08/23/the-party-of-no-new-details-on-the-...
The Republicans do not know how to legislate in the best interest of the American people but they are factually tied to their parties agendas based upon their lobbyist and political donors. This is obvious by the bills introduced and are being passed.
Please if your legislator by now has not come around and is not championing the rights of all of his constituents; vote them out immediately in 2018 and 2020.
United the American people will stand divided America will fall.
Thank you
http://swampland.time.com/2012/08/23/the-party-of-no-new-details-on-the-...
The Republicans do not know how to legislate in the best interest of the American people but they are factually tied to their parties agendas based upon their lobbyist and political donors. This is obvious by the bills introduced and are being passed.
Please if your legislator by now has not come around and is not championing the rights of all of his constituents; vote them out immediately in 2018 and 2020.
United the American people will stand divided America will fall.
Thank you
3
You are so right! we as the people by the people need to put on our heads straight, ignore party identity and fight for what is constitutionally right for ALL Americans...I salute your beliefs...God Bless Anerica.
1
As others have pointed out, 24 million people losing healthcare is a feature of this bill, not a bug. If you have healthcare, you earned it (just like if you're rich, it's because you worked harder). If you don't have healthcare, it's because you're lazy. I fully expect a significant number of Trump voters to lose their insurance and feel proud they're not freeloading off the government. This is perhaps the purest expression of the GOP's social Darwinism in recent memory: if you're able to somehow remain alive despite your lack of healthcare, you must deserve to be here.
2
The Repubs are desperately trying to avoid the name Trumpcare or Repubcare for this farcical bill. I nominate Swampcare as its name.
3
Republicans in Congress have become the "Death Panels" they decried for the past decade.
2
Conceived to reduce
The surplus population,
How Scrooge would applaud!
The surplus population,
How Scrooge would applaud!
2
Take it easy. It looks like there are some reasonable republicans in the Congress.
So less covered saves the government money ..... and who is picking up the difference in the $337 Billion the government is saving - I assume that comes from the combination of increased premiums and less covered... If we eliminate heath care we could save even more.... In actual fact Heath care will happen (in more expensive ED rooms) and the people will pay - in some combination of taxes and premiums. It just depends how you want to pay and some plans can deliver more cost effective means.... maybe the Republican should have worked with Obama all these years and we could have tweaked ObamaCare into something really effective by this point....
2
Excellent. This disaster would save the country $350B over 10 years, just enough to pay for the country's defense department budget for 9 months. Wow, what a savings. Hope the GOP is happy now that they replaced the ACA. But I blame the electorate and the Democratic elite more than just the GOP.
2
Oh My Gosh!! I can pick and choose the health care policy that I can afford and actually use!
I, myself, me, can do this without our omnipotent federal government's input and mandate??
Not possible given previous Democrat socialist posts.
I, myself, me, can do this without our omnipotent federal government's input and mandate??
Not possible given previous Democrat socialist posts.
Good luck finding an affordable policy with more than catastrophic care coverage if you're not wealthy and TrumpCare gets passed. You'll have access to all the policies all right, the same way I have "access" to my choice of multimillion-dollar mansions.
3
No one told you what company to buy insurance from, just that you had to buy it.
1
The White House's analysis projects 26 million (vs. CBO's 24) lose insurance within 10 years. They knew this before they started trashing the CBO.
http://www.politico.com/story/2017/03/obamacare-uninsured-white-house-23...
It's a beautiful plan that will 1. cut the deficit and, 2. kill tens of thousands of Americans...it seems they just don't care about #2 at all.
http://www.politico.com/story/2017/03/obamacare-uninsured-white-house-23...
It's a beautiful plan that will 1. cut the deficit and, 2. kill tens of thousands of Americans...it seems they just don't care about #2 at all.
1
One good thing though, if a relative of yours or a friend will die now because Trump and the Republicans took away the medical care that was keeping him or her alive at least the money that was paying for it will now go to a good cause like a nice big tax break that will allow the rich to buy another new Ferrari or maybe a penthouse.
3
Want to know another way to save $300B over 10 years? Trim the Pentagon budget by 5%, from $600B to a mere $570B per year. I think they'll manage ok, and we get to keep our healthcare. Now there's a bargain!
9
I propose the American Atlas Shrugged Healthcare Expediency Plan. Hire Americans to dig a huge trench. Then line up every one of us undesirable uninsurables and let loose Paul Ryan's Christian soldier firing squad. It will save us from the indignity and suffering of an anguished death without care.
6
There are some here that blame the victim. We have brought it on ourselves with our poor health habits. Don't discount pure bad luck. It could happen to you. My teenage leukemia was certainly not due to lifestyle choices.
4
So over 10 years they'll save $337 Billion dollars which they will be able to put right back into defense spending. So 24 million people can feel good knowing they may die of something they would recieve healthcare for in any other first world country but they don't have to worry about any of those countries with socialized medicine having the world's best bombs like we do.
6
Here's my favorite part of TrumpCare:
The plan, the CBO concludes, would take more than $1 trillion away from programs targeting poor and middle-class families, to fund an $883 billion tax cut targeted at the wealthy.
The plan, the CBO concludes, would take more than $1 trillion away from programs targeting poor and middle-class families, to fund an $883 billion tax cut targeted at the wealthy.
10
The Republicans keep saying that Obamacare was shoved down their throats. FDR started talking about national healthcare before WWII so it has not been shoved down anybody's throat. I don't think 70 plus years of trying to come up with a health coverage system is rushing things. So now they are coming up with something that could possibly make people sick or worse. They should be held liable if the "worst" happens. Something is wrong with this picture. If I loose my health coverage, why should I keep paying taxes to pay for their Federal Health coverage? (Congress health coverage is subsidized by American citizens) I don't care how you look at it, most people are being subsidized (call it a benefit if you will) to pay for their coverage whether it is from their employer or direct from the government. Don't forget, loose your job, loose your health coverage. Try to buy private coverage like in the "old days" is only affordable if you make top dollar. The Republicans also said that the 24m that could loose coverage is only 4% of the population. So as Mr. Scrooge once said "let us decrease the surplus population" because the 4% simply doesn't matter to them.
2
The Koch brothers have more say on who gets insurance than 24 million Americans. Unfortunately millions are still clinging to a Republican Party that repeatedly lie to them while the rich divvy up the spoils.
3
I have an idea. Why don't those who are so upset about Obamacare being replaced set up a fund for those who cannot afford health insurance. They could donate and assist those who cannot pay for their healthcare. We would then begin to see how generous and concerned they are. They could put their money were there mouth is.
These bleeding heart liberals are very good about spending other people's money. Why don't they start spending their own on the needy who require healthcare. It would certainly show how kind and caring they truly are.
These bleeding heart liberals are very good about spending other people's money. Why don't they start spending their own on the needy who require healthcare. It would certainly show how kind and caring they truly are.
Your suggestion is a good one. What you miss is that is exactly what we, and the medical community does. It's known as higher premiums for those who pay for health insurance. Also a system known as Medicaid, and free treatment in hospital emergency rooms, both of the cost of which is paid by us taxpayers. I'd like to think that you are contributing your share toward this process.
1
Hey WMK - I am a bleeding heart liberal who would love to spend my money helping others in need. How about if the money I pay the Government in taxes (plenty) is used for the less fortunate instead of funding munitions manufacturers. I think we would all be much happier as a result.
It comes down to what your priorities are. What are yours?
It comes down to what your priorities are. What are yours?
2
You've actually just described the premise of the ACA and the purpose of health insurance. A mandate for everyone to buy into health insurance = everyone puts money in the pot to pay for health care for everyone.
2
Trump remains on the sidelines until the bill goes through the senate, where the outcome is uncertain, partially because the debate is only going to ratchet up from here, and Republicans will have to determine if they can get away with this. After the senate, the bill will go to Trump, and he will either sign it into law or he won't.
I think he will sign it. He will say that he promised to repeal and replace Obamacare, with no break in coverage, and that it would be better. He will say that he has done what he said he would do, and that it is better.
Trump is a very accomplished at misrepresentation, he is the best. He promises that what he will do will be great, when he does it he will say that it is great, and by the time people find out it is not great he will be long gone.
I think he will sign it. He will say that he promised to repeal and replace Obamacare, with no break in coverage, and that it would be better. He will say that he has done what he said he would do, and that it is better.
Trump is a very accomplished at misrepresentation, he is the best. He promises that what he will do will be great, when he does it he will say that it is great, and by the time people find out it is not great he will be long gone.
1
It should matter that the public now supported Obamacare by 54-46% Why do the Republicans have to persist in repealing when they could just fix the problems? They should be able to make the case to their "base" rather than being cowed by them.
4
"Why do the Republicans have to persist in repealing when they could just fix the problems?"
Because Obamacare came to fruition under the presidency of a black man and they just can't stand that.
Because Obamacare came to fruition under the presidency of a black man and they just can't stand that.
7
You are correct. This is endemic. Maybe after these racist and their great grandchildren pass on there will be a change. Or maybe not.
2
One question not answered in the report of CBO on the Republican Replacement of the Affordable Care Act: are the costs of care provided to uninsured individuals who cannot pay considered? For example, the recently named head of Medicaid and Medicare is an advocate of maternity care not being mandated in insurance policies. I gather that medical care for childbirth costs as a minimum $3000. If a woman is uninsured and has no savings does she have the baby at home without care? If there are complications is she allowed to die? Is not providing care legal? And if care is legally mandated who pays for it? Did the CBO count such fees as costs when it calculated the savings achieved by the Republican plan?
2
My guess is you don"t like the Congressional Budget Office's independent assessment?
Or, you think the assessors will be spending weekends and vacations at Trump properties.
Or, you think the assessors will be spending weekends and vacations at Trump properties.
Many readers assume that if passed, this legislation would exact a political cost for the GOP in 2018. We will see.
But if 2016 was any hint, millions of voters continue to vote against what would seem to be their economic interest. One needs to ask why this might be.
Apparently they see the world very differently from those who scratch their heads in disbelief.
Maybe they have different values, and economic values are not uppermost. Maybe they have a death wish. Maybe they are deluded from propaganda and illiteracy. Maybe they hate the modern world, with its teeming cities, diverse populations, and threats to their traditional way of life. Perhaps they are voting out of anger, spite, and revenge against perceived or invented enemies, regardless of the cost to themselves. Or maybe they really believe what the Republicans preach about the marketplace.
Ever since November 2016, I am deeply skeptical that the Americans that can change the House in 2018 will actually do so, regardless of what legislation the Republicans pass.
My prediction - and I hate to say this - is that Trump survives his first term, and is re-elected in 2020.
But if 2016 was any hint, millions of voters continue to vote against what would seem to be their economic interest. One needs to ask why this might be.
Apparently they see the world very differently from those who scratch their heads in disbelief.
Maybe they have different values, and economic values are not uppermost. Maybe they have a death wish. Maybe they are deluded from propaganda and illiteracy. Maybe they hate the modern world, with its teeming cities, diverse populations, and threats to their traditional way of life. Perhaps they are voting out of anger, spite, and revenge against perceived or invented enemies, regardless of the cost to themselves. Or maybe they really believe what the Republicans preach about the marketplace.
Ever since November 2016, I am deeply skeptical that the Americans that can change the House in 2018 will actually do so, regardless of what legislation the Republicans pass.
My prediction - and I hate to say this - is that Trump survives his first term, and is re-elected in 2020.
4
"Under current law, in 2026, a single 21-year-old earning $26,500 with an insurance policy that costs $5,100 a year would get a tax credit of $3,400 and would have to pay $1,700 of the premium. Under the Republican bill, that person’s share of the cost would drop to $1,450."
Do you think the average 21-year old will react like this:
Oh boy, oh boy! A savings of $250 a year. I'm thrilled beyond words. Let's see, I can use the extra $20 a month toward my haircuts, or manicures, or buy extra popcorn when I go to the movies, and wow, that will even buy a large pizza!
Sure glad I voted for Donald Trump.
Do you think the average 21-year old will react like this:
Oh boy, oh boy! A savings of $250 a year. I'm thrilled beyond words. Let's see, I can use the extra $20 a month toward my haircuts, or manicures, or buy extra popcorn when I go to the movies, and wow, that will even buy a large pizza!
Sure glad I voted for Donald Trump.
2
Meanwhile his parents will have to stop paying his tuition in order to take care of grandma whose health insurance premiums just skyrocketed from 20% to 120% of her income.
2
While the Political Establishment - that would be the Dimocrats and Republicants and the progressives, liberals, conservatives and libertarians who infest the Parties - engage in this epic hissing contest, the obscenely expensive ($2.6 Trillion annually) Medical/Pharmical/Insurance Complex plunders ever onward. The expense would be tolerable if the overall product was of high quality, but it is not. The US pays more for less than any decent nation in the world.
Health insurance is not health care. Health care is not health.
Until the Political Establishment is able to change that formula, they are just hissing into the wind.
Health insurance is not health care. Health care is not health.
Until the Political Establishment is able to change that formula, they are just hissing into the wind.
1
The CBO is expressing the valid opinion that once the penalties for refusing to buy insurance are jettisoned many people will choose to spend their money elsewhere. The hue and cry resulting is from those who believe that the government should use coercion to force people into preferred behaviors. If the government fined you for not eating breakfast (because after all. it is the most important meal of the day). and then the fine was struck down, the headline would breathlessly announce "millions will go without breakfast". When did we all decide to passively allow ourselves to be bullied by our government in place of acting in our own perceived interest and accepting the consequences?
2
Come work with my uninsured patients for a week and see how they love being so. Going bankrupt from medical bills you can't pay is super fun!
2
I have a math problem that I need solved. These are real numbers for my wife and I from 2016
• Our income was $62,000
• Our health insurance premium for a silver PPO was $22,000/yr of which we paid $7000 after subsidy. About 11% of our income.
• The refundable income tax credit that has been proposed as a replacement for the ACA subsidy is $4000pp and $8000 for married filing jointly for my age group.
• So our insurance premium of $22,000 less an $8000 tax credit = $14,000. Twice what we are paying now, or 23% of our annual income.
• But it gets worse. My premium can be 5X that of a younger person, so it could become as high as $36,666/yr less $8000 tax credit= $28,666, or 46% of our income.
How, in anyone's mind, is this an improvement?
• Our income was $62,000
• Our health insurance premium for a silver PPO was $22,000/yr of which we paid $7000 after subsidy. About 11% of our income.
• The refundable income tax credit that has been proposed as a replacement for the ACA subsidy is $4000pp and $8000 for married filing jointly for my age group.
• So our insurance premium of $22,000 less an $8000 tax credit = $14,000. Twice what we are paying now, or 23% of our annual income.
• But it gets worse. My premium can be 5X that of a younger person, so it could become as high as $36,666/yr less $8000 tax credit= $28,666, or 46% of our income.
How, in anyone's mind, is this an improvement?
8
Mr. Brown,
With respect, which presidential candidate did you and your wife vote for? I ask because Donald Trump won Arizona.
With respect, which presidential candidate did you and your wife vote for? I ask because Donald Trump won Arizona.
My apologies....I see you are from CA, not AZ
The so-called FREEDOM in health care systems is an illusion that does not exist - anywhere. Health Care systems in other developed countries is about providing basic health care for every citizen. And for an equatable health care system to function equitably, you need to take out as far as possible the freedom to do anything. This is not about individual rights to choose from thousands of options, it is about providing health care to everybody - creating an insurance system that covers everybody. It is not about having the choice to opt out. Since the system has to cover every, everybody is INCLUDED, because insurance relies on distributing risk - in this case health care - so I pay when I am healthy for the case that I will collect in case of illness. For some strange reason, this notion refuses to survive in this country.
I think Americans can't fathom how strange this discussion looks to people in other countries.
I think Americans can't fathom how strange this discussion looks to people in other countries.
4
Why is no one talking about “Death Panels?” It’s the Republicans who are working to deprive millions of people of critical and life saving medical care who truly constitute a Death Panel. Their proposed policies will condemn millions to a life of chronic disability, poverty or death from the lack of, or the expense of health care. An estimated additional 36,000 people will die every year if the Republicans repeal the Affordable Care Act according to Sen. Sanders based on figures from the Urban Institute and others. So it’s a real Death Panel proposed by Paul Ryan, Trump, Kevin McCarthy, Tom Price, Greg Walden and others who are planning to deprive citizens of their health care.
3
It is a cruel country. Momentum had galvanized toward humanity all throughout the 60's Civil Rights. Then sidesteps with Reagan-Bush -but overall an upward climb. Such a cruel and sadistic Health Care Act makes retrospection necessary. Were all those assassinations really what we were told. Or were they just removing people out of power who furthered the poor, minority, vulnerable. How many lies have we been told?
1
Just an idea
Everyone in America should be covered by a Federal Catastrophic Health Plan administered by Medicare.
Plans would be paid for with a 2.5% Federal Sales Tax on goods and services. Plan would pay for major medical costs over $150,000.
Private Insurance companies could write insurance plans for everything up to $150,000.
Separating catastrophic costs away from normal health insurance should help bring the cost of premiums down??
Just my thoughts on a very complicated topic.
Everyone in America should be covered by a Federal Catastrophic Health Plan administered by Medicare.
Plans would be paid for with a 2.5% Federal Sales Tax on goods and services. Plan would pay for major medical costs over $150,000.
Private Insurance companies could write insurance plans for everything up to $150,000.
Separating catastrophic costs away from normal health insurance should help bring the cost of premiums down??
Just my thoughts on a very complicated topic.
3
The CBO’s scoring cannot be ignored. House Republicans must address it and adjust their bill accordingly—either now, because whether the budgeting assumptions are completely fair and the projections accurate, they will nonetheless be reported as such in media, or later, because the starting place for debate in the Senate seems to be the framework of Cassidy’s Patient Freedom Act. In the campaign, Trump positioned himself between other Republicans, such as Ryan, and Democrats, too. He’s expected to take care of things as a populist, as the Washington establishment crowds him from every corner. But for now, there’s firstly a whole lot more for Congress to work on.
I think I've finally figured out why Paul Ryan is still around and so many people still listen to him. He is an actor. He has mastered the furrowed-brow-earnest-empathic look that activates primitive brain circuits in our brains, telling us that someone is listening to what we're saying and cares about us. He does care, but it's not the poor or middle class person he's interacting with in his Q and A sessions that he cares about. It's the wealthy taxpaying members of our population that he's imagining in his mind's eye while he gives us that look. We keep waiting for genuine manifestations of that empathy, but for most of the population, it never arrives.
3
At one time, Secretary Price may well have been an honorable and fine physician. Whatever his current technical abilities as a physician, he presently has at least one character trait in common with President Trump--they are thoroughly dishonorable people who lie about how changes in the law that they want people to accept will affect those who in fact will be hurt. As a politician, Price is an example of walking and talking malpractice and fraud. As is the big double D-the Dishonorable Donald.
2
Unless it is America's health plan to leave our sick or injured fellow citizens out on the street without any healthcare, the alternative is to provide them with medical services. I hope all Americans would opt for the latter course.
The cost of providing those medical services must be borne by someone; they do not come free. Hospital and doctor bills for the uninsured are paid for by all of us, with higher premiums for insurance and higher payments for medical services.
It is fairer to require all Americans to obtain their own healthcare insurance (as under Obamacare and assist them as necessary based on their ability to pay) then to allow them to chose no insurance (and forced the rest of us to cover the cost of their medical services when they need them).
The cost of providing those medical services must be borne by someone; they do not come free. Hospital and doctor bills for the uninsured are paid for by all of us, with higher premiums for insurance and higher payments for medical services.
It is fairer to require all Americans to obtain their own healthcare insurance (as under Obamacare and assist them as necessary based on their ability to pay) then to allow them to chose no insurance (and forced the rest of us to cover the cost of their medical services when they need them).
5
Sane and sensitive. Thanks.
Wow! $337 billion in savings! Wait - over 10 years. So - wow! $33.7 billion in savings every year! Wait - the federal budget is $3.8 trillion. Do the math - $33.7 billion is 0.8% of the budget. Wow.
So this country is going to deprive 24 million people of health insurance to save less than 1% of what its federal government spends every year. Less, actually - because if there's one thing we know about Republicans, it's that they blow up the deficit every chance they get by spending more (defense ka-ching!) and taking in less (tax cuts for the rich and corporations - ka-ching!).
And of course the states are going to have to eat at least part of that $337 billion.
The whole exercise adds up to fraud. It's up to the media to expose this fraud by putting it in context, but I don't see anything about this relatively tiny amount of savings in this article.
So this country is going to deprive 24 million people of health insurance to save less than 1% of what its federal government spends every year. Less, actually - because if there's one thing we know about Republicans, it's that they blow up the deficit every chance they get by spending more (defense ka-ching!) and taking in less (tax cuts for the rich and corporations - ka-ching!).
And of course the states are going to have to eat at least part of that $337 billion.
The whole exercise adds up to fraud. It's up to the media to expose this fraud by putting it in context, but I don't see anything about this relatively tiny amount of savings in this article.
9
"And of course the states are going to have to eat at least part of that $337 billion."
Look at expenditures in Texas and probably other states. At the state level not much cost and some revenue.
At the county level, huge lost to support illegal alien health care in our emergency rooms. Track it. Can't as a Christian turn a birthing mother away.
Look at expenditures in Texas and probably other states. At the state level not much cost and some revenue.
At the county level, huge lost to support illegal alien health care in our emergency rooms. Track it. Can't as a Christian turn a birthing mother away.
1
That $337 billion in federal savings would become $337 billion of debt for the states. So who, exactly, is saving money? Not the taxpayers.
Unless, of course, the states take an ax to the Medicaid rolls - which Republican-led states show every sign of being eager to do. Whether Democratic-led states can maintain their integrity against this right-wing onslaught remains to be seen.
Unless, of course, the states take an ax to the Medicaid rolls - which Republican-led states show every sign of being eager to do. Whether Democratic-led states can maintain their integrity against this right-wing onslaught remains to be seen.
4
I get the feeling that the Republican party is building its own funeral pyre.
1
What's the goal of reform? To increase the number of American citizens who have health insurance and can actually afford to obtain quality health care. That requires making changes that will either go to single payer (not viable just now) or will otherwise stabilize the insurance industry that needs to participate in the exchanges.
I hope the Dems and others who oppose this health bill will keep their eye on the goal most Americans care about. Not "access" to insurance they can't afford, not money running out for Medicaid because the rich will pay less and the states can't make up for what the federal government takes away. We have an opiate addiction epidemic. We need to address that more effectively than we have before, not remove coverage for it.
Keep it simple in the messaging or we'll go down some weird rabbit hole where those who want to believe will keep trusting messengers who do not have their interests at heart.
I hope the Dems and others who oppose this health bill will keep their eye on the goal most Americans care about. Not "access" to insurance they can't afford, not money running out for Medicaid because the rich will pay less and the states can't make up for what the federal government takes away. We have an opiate addiction epidemic. We need to address that more effectively than we have before, not remove coverage for it.
Keep it simple in the messaging or we'll go down some weird rabbit hole where those who want to believe will keep trusting messengers who do not have their interests at heart.
1
Republicans are challenging the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office's estimate that 24 million Americans are likely to become uninsured under the proposed Trump/Ryan Healthcare plan. The basis of their challenges is that the CBO is not able to accurately predict the impact of this proposed legislation on the number of uninsured. They claim the actual number of new uninsured is likely to be less. However, if these Republicans are right, i.e., that the CBO's numbers are not to be trusted, isn't it equally as likely that the future number of new uninsured Americans will be higher than the 24 million the CBO has estimated?
1
It shocks me that the GOP would undercut the lives of older Americans when those same people vote more often and in larger numbers than younger Americans. November 2018, folks.
6
To throw our elderly under the bus is disrespectful! What is wrong with these people?
1
If you count 50 and over as "elderly". I take care of myself. My father is in his 70's and going strong, thanks to a life time of working out and good health. This healthcare bill is nothing short of a complete disaster.
1
Quick back of the coaster calculation makes that $1404/person per year savings for the 24 million kicked off the rolls. That's chicken feed for the mightiest nation on earth so why bother? Do you need more sickly and uneducated people walking around?
6
So the Republicans have progressed from simply wishing we would jump to actually giving us a shove.
7
Since when have free market economics in health care ever saved lives? HMOs are now under the Department of Commerce, not under the Department of Health Services.
The goal of insurance companies, and HMOs, is to increase stockholder returns -- period. These entities will now be free to charge what they wish, and exclude who they wish. Without Medicaid coverage, older people, or people with expensive illnesses, will die.
The Declaration of Independence says:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed..."
Government is supposed to protect the governed in all three ideas, this administraton has chosen not to -- focusing solely on Liberty, by essentially allowing commerce the Liberty to cause death, and denying Life and Happiness to those who cannot afford health insurance.
This Congress is the Death Panel they spoke about regarding Obamacare. They think small, solely about their own lives, liberties and happinesses, without a thought to governance and protecting their constituents.
They have chosen money over people's lives, they have abdicated their sworn responsibility to protect and serve and should be voted out.
The goal of insurance companies, and HMOs, is to increase stockholder returns -- period. These entities will now be free to charge what they wish, and exclude who they wish. Without Medicaid coverage, older people, or people with expensive illnesses, will die.
The Declaration of Independence says:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed..."
Government is supposed to protect the governed in all three ideas, this administraton has chosen not to -- focusing solely on Liberty, by essentially allowing commerce the Liberty to cause death, and denying Life and Happiness to those who cannot afford health insurance.
This Congress is the Death Panel they spoke about regarding Obamacare. They think small, solely about their own lives, liberties and happinesses, without a thought to governance and protecting their constituents.
They have chosen money over people's lives, they have abdicated their sworn responsibility to protect and serve and should be voted out.
I'm not so sure younger people get a better break on health care than people over 60. How many of them might end up subsidizing the health care premiums of their parents?
2
The death panels are real and they've been found, It's called trumpedcare... It is apparent that the GOP has no understanding of the domino effect that 24 million uninsured will have on the market, including the 1% that they are so eager to provide tax breaks too, since they would also be impacted with significantly higher premiums and a reduction in the number of providers as they exit the market or simply shutter their doors. Te GOP had 7 years to come up with an alternative plan and they presented this... $358 million in tax breaks for the wealthiest and 24 million uninsured with most being in redstates...You have to love the irony here.
2
$337,000,000,000 Billion not Million
This is a take from the poor and give to the rich plan that Republicans and Trump should love.
2
The Trump plan will still cover more people than were covered before Obamacare. Many people who pay nothing at all under Obamacare will now have to pay something. The Middle Class won't have to pay for so many free-loaders. Obamacare was just a backdoor to national health care and put the cost on the back of the Middle Class. If we truly want national health care lets be honest about it, and get it over with.
2
Still waiting for some Congress critters and Senators to abandon their gold plated ~socialist military health care for this new clearly weaker "American Health Care Plan"......
6
“Americans are free to pick the plan they want,” Like a 64-year-old earning $26,500 "choosing" a health plan costing $14,600. That's Republican freedom.
11
The Society For the Prevention of Cruelty To Wealth has struck its first blow. This is just the beginning of beggaring the American Dream fpr most Americans.
4
Medicare worked just fine before the politicians decided to raid the "insurance program" money it generated to pay for wars and other corporate welfare. It was a self-funding tax insurance program.
It won't work anymore because Wall Street's BIG democracy-destroying money masters have taken over the health care complex and driven costs beyond comprehension. Perhaps this will break the entire thing. Perhaps we will have a global financial meltdown and no one will be able to get or afford health care - just like every other 3rd world nation.
That is the desire of the wealthiest on the planet right now. Destroy it all so WE can have power to remake it in OUR image.
Never worked in all of HIStory but they just do not get it.
WE must stop their insanity, lock them up for treason, nationalize every single BIG multi-national corporate entity, turn them into true employee-owned places of sustainable employment and put America right again - BEFORE they can destroy it.
It won't work anymore because Wall Street's BIG democracy-destroying money masters have taken over the health care complex and driven costs beyond comprehension. Perhaps this will break the entire thing. Perhaps we will have a global financial meltdown and no one will be able to get or afford health care - just like every other 3rd world nation.
That is the desire of the wealthiest on the planet right now. Destroy it all so WE can have power to remake it in OUR image.
Never worked in all of HIStory but they just do not get it.
WE must stop their insanity, lock them up for treason, nationalize every single BIG multi-national corporate entity, turn them into true employee-owned places of sustainable employment and put America right again - BEFORE they can destroy it.
12
Sure, Paul Ryan, I'll have choices: to be denied care at a hospital, to be denied care at a doctor, or to be denied care at a walk-in clinic. Get real, I'm a middle-aged woman doing contract work, and no free market is competing to cover me. They would rather not have me as a customer -- and will price accordingly.
38
In this photo looks like Paul Ryan is saying "Look at my book report, guys!" He's as proud as a fourth grader and achieved the same quality of work.
16
24 million off of healthcare? Paul Ryan relishes this thought–it is NOT an oversight, it's the core intention of the bill.
Mr. Ryan and his cadre of Republican anti-statists want to thin out the heard; those that are rich enough to pay their way are viewed as the desirables of society and in time those who cannot pay will disappear from welfare programs and voter rolls. This is all part of their plan–"freedom of choice" is a dog whistle that is used selectively to target the poor. Notice how "choice" is never mentioned when it comes to women's health.
Mr. Ryan and his cadre of Republican anti-statists want to thin out the heard; those that are rich enough to pay their way are viewed as the desirables of society and in time those who cannot pay will disappear from welfare programs and voter rolls. This is all part of their plan–"freedom of choice" is a dog whistle that is used selectively to target the poor. Notice how "choice" is never mentioned when it comes to women's health.
18
If Ryan has his way, we'll save those billions for a 20% increase in the military, already an obscene percentage of the American budget. And meanwhile, cuts to the EPA, the NEA, Dept. of Education and a host of other critical organizations and departments are being imposed. I cannot stomach the irony of this claim.
16
It is the end of American healthcare.
5
No, it's not, Jimmy. It's the start of the move of "Medicare for all". Just make sure you vote for people who support it.
16
Trumpcare providing better health insurance for all at a lower price is an "alternative fact". Call it what it is "Obamacare Repeal".
7
Math may be out of style, but we are talking about $1,700 a year/insured to keep 7.5% of our country from going to the emergency room (and likely leaving us with the bill-they can't afford insurance), instead of being kept healthy and productive. Maintenance is cheaper than an emergency repair.
Those opposed to insuring everyone MUST agree that it's ok to let someone die at the hospital door because they don't have the cash to come in. I can't live with that but many of us apparently can.
$337B/24Mpeople/8years=$1,700/year
Those opposed to insuring everyone MUST agree that it's ok to let someone die at the hospital door because they don't have the cash to come in. I can't live with that but many of us apparently can.
$337B/24Mpeople/8years=$1,700/year
16
@LHP Connecticut wrote:
"There is a huge difference between losing one's insurance and choosing not to buy it which is the bulk of the people referenced in the headline. Typical partisan reporting."
There's also a yuuuge differnce between "choosing:" not to buy health insurance versus "not being able to afford to buy it."
Right now, millions of peole who previously couldn't afford health insurance ARE now able to buy it BECAUSE OF Obamacare. If the stingy Republi-cants (and their thoughtless hyper-partisan enablers like you) repeal Obamacare and don't put an AFFORDABLE replacement in its place, then yes, those people indeed HAVE "LOST" (i.e. been priced out of) their health insurance. (You need to think through the logic of the statements that you utter.)
As many people have pointed out (here and elsewhere): The mantra of "access to health insurance" doesn't mean access to AFFORDABLE health insurance (nor healthcare). It doesn't help me to have "access" to health insurance if I support my family with a minimum-wage job, and can't afford to purchase insurance. Free-market capitalism DOESN'T work with healthcare; we've tried that, and that's why we needed Obamacare.
Are there no workouses? Are there no prisons?
"There is a huge difference between losing one's insurance and choosing not to buy it which is the bulk of the people referenced in the headline. Typical partisan reporting."
There's also a yuuuge differnce between "choosing:" not to buy health insurance versus "not being able to afford to buy it."
Right now, millions of peole who previously couldn't afford health insurance ARE now able to buy it BECAUSE OF Obamacare. If the stingy Republi-cants (and their thoughtless hyper-partisan enablers like you) repeal Obamacare and don't put an AFFORDABLE replacement in its place, then yes, those people indeed HAVE "LOST" (i.e. been priced out of) their health insurance. (You need to think through the logic of the statements that you utter.)
As many people have pointed out (here and elsewhere): The mantra of "access to health insurance" doesn't mean access to AFFORDABLE health insurance (nor healthcare). It doesn't help me to have "access" to health insurance if I support my family with a minimum-wage job, and can't afford to purchase insurance. Free-market capitalism DOESN'T work with healthcare; we've tried that, and that's why we needed Obamacare.
Are there no workouses? Are there no prisons?
14
"Save" for who?
7
The jobs numbers were bad, but now that they're for us , they're great!
The CBO was great when it was against Obama, now that's it against us, it's bad!
Obama bugged Trump tower, but now , I'm only joking!
The CBO was great when it was against Obama, now that's it against us, it's bad!
Obama bugged Trump tower, but now , I'm only joking!
12
Heck of a job, Brownie!
6
Let's do a simple reality check.
Pass Trumpcare with one requirement: ALL members of the federal government, INCLUDING congress and their staffs, must get their health care thru trumpcare.
Pass Trumpcare with one requirement: ALL members of the federal government, INCLUDING congress and their staffs, must get their health care thru trumpcare.
17
I have a problem with the way the media portrays 24M people will lose their coverage !! The only way they will lose their coverage is if THEY FAIL TO PAY THEIR OWN PREMIUMS. Insurance companies dont' just cut them off because of the law. If Uncle Sam is willing to pay for my premiums, I'd be a happy camper too. Unfortunately, I have to pay for my own insurance. No "freebie" for most of Americans.
3
That's what this all about - freeloading off the government. Whether it's insurance, food stamps, welfare, 'Obama-phones', etc. Time to pull your own weight in this country and be a productive citizen if you are able bodied. Anyone who has a disability and cannot physically work, then yes, I would be the first to want to help them. The problem is that after 8 years off handouts, and no reason for personal accountability, we've created a serious entitlement mentality.
1
You don't appear to know how taxes work and what they are supposed to pay for. It's not free, we all pay into the system and we should all get the services all of us need and that benefit our country as a whole.
1
If you are poor or make less than 4 times the poverty level, then you would get help with your premiums under the ACA.
The GOP bill would require older people to pay 5 times what younger ones pay and there would be tax credits. However, how do you pay a premium if you haven't paid taxes yet to get a credit?
The GOP bill would require older people to pay 5 times what younger ones pay and there would be tax credits. However, how do you pay a premium if you haven't paid taxes yet to get a credit?
2
Promises Kept.
"Be careful for what you ask for...
Cause you just might get it!"
Shirley Brown
"Be careful for what you ask for...
Cause you just might get it!"
Shirley Brown
3
We live in a cruel country.
30
Yet another salvo in the GOP's war on the middle and the working class. They're disgusting.
9
A single payer universal health care plan would allow Americans the freedom to go to a doctor, or not, just as they pleased. That would involve "freedom of choice" and "access", wouldn't it, Paul Ryan? Ryan uses language in the same meaningless way as Trump.
12
Does the Republican plan factor in the costs to emergency rooms used by the poor?
Wasted time fighting healthcare for all for decades could be spent improving US output and productivity. Republican special interests must be making billions off the convoluted system.
Wasted time fighting healthcare for all for decades could be spent improving US output and productivity. Republican special interests must be making billions off the convoluted system.
6
Health care and health insurance are not the same thing. It's like the ballpark; health care is when you're actually sitting in the ballpark, eating a hot dog, watching the game. Health insurance is the ticket you buy to get in.
This GOP plan is not about health care; neither is Obamacare. They're about health insurance, they're about who gets to buy a ticket to get in, how much the ticket costs and where you get to sit. Obamacare let 20 million more people into the ballpark; the GOP bill tells 15 million of them they have to leave and, if they want back in, they have to buy a different, more expensive ticket for a worse seat.
There's a small difference: nobody has to go to the ballpark. You can stay home, watch the game on TV, you can go to a bar, watch the game there. You can choose not to watch the game at all. And that's the most insidious part of the GOP plan: they treat health insurance the same as a ticket to the ballpark. Can't afford a ticket? Stay home (self-medication/treatment). Go to a bar (emergency room/urgent care). Or, don't watch the game at all.
We need to stop calling health insurance health care. These plans are health insurance plans; they offer not one iota of health care to anyone. They are the ticket to get in to get the health care. The only system that works is to offer everyone, without exclusion or exception, a ticket that is affordable and gives you a decent view of the field. There can be no bad seats. There can be no "Sold Out" signs.
This GOP plan is not about health care; neither is Obamacare. They're about health insurance, they're about who gets to buy a ticket to get in, how much the ticket costs and where you get to sit. Obamacare let 20 million more people into the ballpark; the GOP bill tells 15 million of them they have to leave and, if they want back in, they have to buy a different, more expensive ticket for a worse seat.
There's a small difference: nobody has to go to the ballpark. You can stay home, watch the game on TV, you can go to a bar, watch the game there. You can choose not to watch the game at all. And that's the most insidious part of the GOP plan: they treat health insurance the same as a ticket to the ballpark. Can't afford a ticket? Stay home (self-medication/treatment). Go to a bar (emergency room/urgent care). Or, don't watch the game at all.
We need to stop calling health insurance health care. These plans are health insurance plans; they offer not one iota of health care to anyone. They are the ticket to get in to get the health care. The only system that works is to offer everyone, without exclusion or exception, a ticket that is affordable and gives you a decent view of the field. There can be no bad seats. There can be no "Sold Out" signs.
15
This is a great metaphor. Beautifully done. It should be required reading for Republicans in Congress.
1
Good job Baby Boomers! You voted for Trump and this is his thanks. From $1,700 to $14,600.
"By contrast, a 64-year-old earning the same amount would fare much worse. That person’s $15,300 health plan would be offset by a $13,600 tax credit under current law, leaving the consumer responsible for $1,700. Under the Republican plan, health insurers would be free to charge older people more, raising that person’s premium to $19,500. But the tax credit would be only $4,900, and that person’s share of the premium would then be $14,600."
"By contrast, a 64-year-old earning the same amount would fare much worse. That person’s $15,300 health plan would be offset by a $13,600 tax credit under current law, leaving the consumer responsible for $1,700. Under the Republican plan, health insurers would be free to charge older people more, raising that person’s premium to $19,500. But the tax credit would be only $4,900, and that person’s share of the premium would then be $14,600."
5
I did NOT vote for him, neither did any of my Baby Boomer friends. And we are all working hard to fight and resist his policies. I'm about to make more phone calls to Maine citizens now to encourage them to contact Senator Collins about this disgusting bill.
3
For this Administration, any report coming out of non-partisan budget office which does'nt bring glory to themselves is fake, false and false news. But they are quick to take credit when the numbers are positive ( as in jobs ), although it is the result of hardworking of the Predecessor and his administration. 24 million pushed into no health insurance. How do these guys sleep at night? The Republicans have become the ' Real ' Death Panel '. Now we should stop sermonizing to other countries for Human Rights violations.
3
Was it fair that the middle class pay for those who did not pay one penny for healthcare? Was it fair to be promised that you could keep your doctor only to have your doctor stop covering those on Obamacare? Was it fair that the premiums started out at a low cost only to become exorbitant for many Americans? Was it fair to be forced to purchase Obamacare or pay a penalty? These are only some of the questions that many Americans who were covered by Obamacare asked themselves? If Obamacare was such a wonderful healthcare plan, it would not be in the process of being repealed and replaced.
2
And yet I am happy to pay my part of taxes that go toward public education. But I have no children. A well educated populace is a benefit to society, as is a healthy populace that is able to access healthcare.
3
Yes, it's fair for all of us to get something out of a system that we all pay into. It's fair for the more fortunate of us to help pay for the less fortunate among us, especially since we all benefit from a healthy society.
If you want people to pay more in taxes, support a living wage.
If you want people to pay more in taxes, support a living wage.
3
Now 54% of the population is in favor of Obamacare. There is a reason for that.
1
And how many are expected to die out of those 24 million due to lack of coverage?
7
I would like to know how accurate the 14 million people proposed to immediately lose their insurance is if ACA is repealed. The mandate began in 2016 so any real data will not be available, all be it difficult to extrapolate, until the end of the tax period. If more affordable options are available to consumers more people will voluntarily chose to buy. The ACA's flaw is that it offers a cookie cutter approach toward health plans with all kinds of costly bells and whistles. This is an expensive alternative to more affordable catastrophic health insurance plans.
1
The problem is that health care is a black hole where we put in infinite amounts of money. The potential for "inefficiency" i.e. crony capitalism, waste, and outright fraud is enormous. The only way to limit health care costs is to decide how much to spend and then spend only that amount. Will we discourage innovation ? Not the innovation that matters. But we will have the fraudsters move on to financial schemes rather than ones involving health care.
1
The headline says, "...but save $337 Billion..." What is missing from the headline is that it would save "the federal government" that money. The costs of adding 24 million people to the rolls of the uninsured will ultimately be borne by state and local governments and hospitals that have to cover the charges for people seeking their health care in an emergency room. Ultimately, these costs will be passed on through the fees charged by hospitals and physicians for services and, of course, insurance companies who will pass the costs along to the insured in the form of higher premiums. Hence, the Republican proposal will do little to make health care more affordable.
8
STOP!!
No more quibbling around with numbers.
We are the only developed country that doesn't guarantee health care to its people.
The only cure is to kick the insurance industry out of health care delivery and adopt a profit regulated system of care.
Not PROFIT....CARE!!
No more quibbling around with numbers.
We are the only developed country that doesn't guarantee health care to its people.
The only cure is to kick the insurance industry out of health care delivery and adopt a profit regulated system of care.
Not PROFIT....CARE!!
9
From one of the many NYTimes pieces today - "When the tax cuts for the rich and the spending cuts to Medicaid are combined, they would result in deficit reduction of $337 billion by 2026. That’s a small fraction of the national debt in exchange for an enormous amount of human misery." This figure does not take into account the huge upsurge in unpaid medical bills that will result from so many losing coverage. So really, what is the savings? Probably none. The cost? Lives.
10
Maybe I'm just not getting it but how does this plan decrease the deficit if millions end up with no insurance? If they get sick they'll go to the emergency room. Who picks up that tab? Unless Republicans are willing to tell hospitals to turn away those without insurance it seems like the middle class is going to get stuck with the tab and premiums will rise again.
14
But, Sue, the uncovered die even if they reach the emergency reception. In 2009 a thorow investigation was made. It turned out that 45 000 die annually withot insurance.
The Republicans should be congratulated on attaining their goal: comforting the comfortable and afflicting the afflicted -- more money for the well-heeled made possible by rescinding benefits for the elderly, impoverished, ill and middle class.
10
That is what America is all about. After all don't you give lessons of justice and democracy to the rest of the world. In America, justice and democrcy are for the riches
7
'Saves' $337 billion? Really? It might save the short-sighted government that much, but how will the uninsured get care? Back to emergency rooms and urgent care? And who pays for that?
This is a total sham of a bill. It's a tax cut bill for the 1% disguised as a healthcare bill. It's shameful.
This is a total sham of a bill. It's a tax cut bill for the 1% disguised as a healthcare bill. It's shameful.
12
Except the people shoving this bill down our throats - who incidentally made the same claim about the ACA despite the fact that in their case, it wasn't true - have no shame. Got that? They are essentially mugging the old, sick and poor to pay for their lavish lifestyles and have convinced some stupid, fat, white people that government largesse is only for fat white people too stupid to realize they are also poor and are never, ever going to be rich no matter how much Republicans steal from the poor, the sick and the elderly. They are dupes, plain and simple. The rest of us are fighting back.
1
Maybe I am missing something, but 337 billion divided by 24 million, divided by 10 years, is, roughly, 1,400 bucks. How much will the medical care for these uninsured people cost the insured when they show up for care without coverage?
8
The actual savings is $1.2 Trillion. $900M is given over to eliminating taxes introduced with Obamacare. Most of the 24 million are people projected to not buy health nsurance if there is no law requiring them to do so. What makes this number interesting is that many of the 24 million will forgo subsidies for that health insurance. Guess CBO sees them as buying new IPHONEs instead.
You got it. But it seems the president and congress don't do math because they are not mathematicians and they don't do climate change because they are not scientists.
Put all these sanctimonious hypocrites in the congress on this Heath Care program, and you can bet that all the problems would be worked out over night. But, of course, they are a better class of people than the rest of us commoners.
10
GOP = Greed Over People. It's that simple.
Free Dumb!
Free Dumb!
6
It is important to realize that the significant drop in Americans with Heath coverage is exactly what these Republicans want. The transfer of billions from the poorest to the richest is exactly what they want. The ability of insurance companies to charge older people more than younger people is exactly what they want. If that is keep in mind all their excuses will be revealed as nothing other than diversionary rhetoric. Perhaps some reporters should ask Speaker Ryan to justify his bill in light of his professed Catholic faith and the words of Jesus, What you do to the least of my brethren you do to me.
7
Aside from the obvious disregard for all humanity and the corresponding myopia that medical care is as essential to human life (in the US and anywhere on the planet) why is it considered a de facto privilege? Or why does it cost sooooo much? Doctors are no longer anywhere near the top earners in the country...the 1%ers are not doctors. I cannot understand how a nation as wealthy as ours struggles to provide access to fantastic medical care (although considering how many go to bed hungry every night maybe it's not so weird). Even as a barely upper-mid class family, our premiums are crushingly high which means we might as well have no coverage for office visits. Nevertheless we keep our insurance in case of catastrophic illness or hospitalization. Replacing insurance with savings plans, presumably enhanced by "tax cuts" will never pay for more than basic office visits. Not even if we all saved every penny we earn would we be able to pay hospital bills for either chronic or acute conditions...Lastly, the idea that unfettered competition will lower insurance premiums is preposterous. Insurance companies are notoriously impervious to free market competition. Besides, if there's a race to the bottom, the cheaper insurers will be steam-rolled out of the way.
4
The federal budget would be reduced by $337 billion by 2026. 24 million fewer Americans will receive health insurance coverage within that framework. How many of those people will be enrolled in Medicare or receive health care through their work places for a smaller fee during that time. It fails to mention the likely possibility that this will occur. This was an important fact that was omitted.
1
I have a way to test the hard core elements of the Republican Party's devotion to TrumpCare.
Let the divine Donald and Paul Ryan, for five years, commit to each of them and their families living with no health coverage.
They can then personally experience the pain of loved ones sickening with no prospect of help and, hopefully, the grief of watching a family member die because of no access to health care.
I might then be open to accepting their praise of TrumpCare.
Let the divine Donald and Paul Ryan, for five years, commit to each of them and their families living with no health coverage.
They can then personally experience the pain of loved ones sickening with no prospect of help and, hopefully, the grief of watching a family member die because of no access to health care.
I might then be open to accepting their praise of TrumpCare.
4
The only problem with that is they are millionaires and paying for their own insurance won't affect them at all.
As long as the Republicans (and the Democrats) in congress have access to excellent healthcare made very affordable to them by the federal governments subsidies (the majority of the premiums are paid by the government), the rest of us do not matter to them. Take away their healthcare plan and throw all of them into the same marketplace the "common folk" have to negotiate and we might see some real change.
1
I don't want health care to be "a thing of beauty." I want it to be logical, affordable, available, fair, and to work. I'm used to looking for things of beauty in areas in which this Republican party and president appear to want to red pencil out of the budget: literature, libraries, public television, museums, concerts, the NEA, arts grants, dance, opera, schools, education --all the entities that will most likely have their budgets slashed. I'm sure this proposed health care bill is a thing of beauty to the president and the Republicans, but beauty, one is reminded, is in the eye of the beholder.
19
I watched Bernie Sanders last night on Chris Hayes in McDowell County among Trump supporters, and after listening to them, including the State Rep. who is a Democrat and voted for Trump, it makes me wonder what the hell were they thinking and did any of them pay attention to any of the details or debates in the campaign.
Trump is doing just what Hillary and Bernie said he as going to do, and by any measure you want to take, Hillary Clinton had plans that detailed everything that would have helped them, sad now, because they may understand that they voted for the charlatan that doesn't have their best interest at heart and it's too late.
Trump is doing just what Hillary and Bernie said he as going to do, and by any measure you want to take, Hillary Clinton had plans that detailed everything that would have helped them, sad now, because they may understand that they voted for the charlatan that doesn't have their best interest at heart and it's too late.
5
Enough of this! Access means nothing and we all know that. The ACA provided access, but it provided tools to get the access. Like choosing the plan you could afford, also subsidies to help pay for it, expanding medicare for those unfortunate enough not to be able to afford healthcare. What is so difficult about this? There's no F-R-E-E-D-O-M involved. We are purchasing our health care, and the insurance companies cannot turn us away because of pre-existing conditions or charge us more if we are women. There are elected officials who voted for bills which stymied some of this (Marco) and insurance companies moved out of the market. Hey, Democrats, why weren't you working on the ACA all along to make it better? None of you ran on it, all of you avoided President Obama like he was the plague when you ran for your re-elections during the last 8 years. Shame on you! And shame on the Republicans for bringing such a ridiculous bill claiming "freedom and choice." Really?! So wealthier people can have a tax break? So you can get rid of Medicaid? How dare you!
1
Buyers remorse anyone? Every promise you heard from Trump has turned out to be a lie. To think how many times he called Hillary"lying Hillary" I hope you are happy with what you have done.
6
Make more doctors, lots more
Reward people with healthy habits with lower premiums
Coverage, hospital and doctor selection throughout the country not just your state or county
Medicare must be taken by all Dr's and Hospitals
Pharmaceuticals must be taken to task for being the biggest drug dealers
Medicare fraud must be punishable by severe financial penalties and community service penalties.
People with really bad health habits should have their own clinics with over sight
Reward people with healthy habits with lower premiums
Coverage, hospital and doctor selection throughout the country not just your state or county
Medicare must be taken by all Dr's and Hospitals
Pharmaceuticals must be taken to task for being the biggest drug dealers
Medicare fraud must be punishable by severe financial penalties and community service penalties.
People with really bad health habits should have their own clinics with over sight
Republicans and Trump are stuck. They know they're stuck, but shockingly they don't care. Their solution is to hide their situation, and to hide the TrumpCare "final solution", using simple obfuscation.
Republicans and zealots have used this tactic for centuries... if you can't convince people, confuse them.
Especially since TrumpCare can kill them.
So, TrumpCare is intentionally confusing. Is it ObamaCare 0.5? Is it healthcare at all? Or is it only a tax reduction? What is it really? No one knows. Not even republicans. But they want to pass it quickly, before the CBO figures out and tells everyone what toll it will take on America. Then they saw even republicans themselves didn't agree with it. And their tactic began, as an offensive move, to discredit the CBO. They knew the CBO's honest explanation of TrumpCare would not be pretty. Well, the CBO has now disclosed their assessment of TrumpCare. And they called it ugly. Hideous. Utterly repulsive. TrumpCare doesn't care about America, especially our poor and elderly. TrumpCare will harm 24 million of us. And will benefit only a few thousand millionaires. TrumpCare is illogical -- it only makes sense if you're illiterate, or tweetingly insane.
The best approach is to let republicans enact it. Democrats should abstain from voting on the monstrosity. Let republicans slowly destroy their own constituents.
Most importantly, ENSURE republicans cannot blame anyone else for the TrumpCare SHROUD they plan to put over us.
Republicans and zealots have used this tactic for centuries... if you can't convince people, confuse them.
Especially since TrumpCare can kill them.
So, TrumpCare is intentionally confusing. Is it ObamaCare 0.5? Is it healthcare at all? Or is it only a tax reduction? What is it really? No one knows. Not even republicans. But they want to pass it quickly, before the CBO figures out and tells everyone what toll it will take on America. Then they saw even republicans themselves didn't agree with it. And their tactic began, as an offensive move, to discredit the CBO. They knew the CBO's honest explanation of TrumpCare would not be pretty. Well, the CBO has now disclosed their assessment of TrumpCare. And they called it ugly. Hideous. Utterly repulsive. TrumpCare doesn't care about America, especially our poor and elderly. TrumpCare will harm 24 million of us. And will benefit only a few thousand millionaires. TrumpCare is illogical -- it only makes sense if you're illiterate, or tweetingly insane.
The best approach is to let republicans enact it. Democrats should abstain from voting on the monstrosity. Let republicans slowly destroy their own constituents.
Most importantly, ENSURE republicans cannot blame anyone else for the TrumpCare SHROUD they plan to put over us.
2
That "savings" number isn't real. States and cities will be picking up some of that: The cost for caring for the uninsured will just shift to them. As taxpayers suffer untimely deaths, the taxes they would pay are erased. Hospitals will be left with bills the uninsured cannot pay, so they'll get bailed out by government or will go under.
But true as that may be, all those realities obfuscate the fact that this is just a tax cut for the wealthy. I think the GOP wants us to get bogged down in the details of picking doctors, silver coverage, and so on...doing so means we won't talk about how this is a blatant wealth shift on the backs of the poor to benefit the rich.
But true as that may be, all those realities obfuscate the fact that this is just a tax cut for the wealthy. I think the GOP wants us to get bogged down in the details of picking doctors, silver coverage, and so on...doing so means we won't talk about how this is a blatant wealth shift on the backs of the poor to benefit the rich.
2
People are talking about how hateful the republicans are. The ACA was hateful to working people many who lost their full time job and became part time so their employer didn't have to pay for their insurance. Then if they didn't qualify for subsidies they could only afford plans with big deductibles. If they opted out they were fined. Don't tell me the ACA was great. And republicans weren't asked to help form the ACA, remember we have to pass it to be able to read it? It was a bad plan and it was going under financially. It needs to be fixed. So for once stop being so partisan.
Nice try but I heard a breakdown of ACA statistics last week and there were no significant numbers of people losing hours because of the ACA.
Republicans had plenty of time and numerous chances to help improve the ACA and they chose not to.
Republicans had plenty of time and numerous chances to help improve the ACA and they chose not to.
2
The sick just don't go away, nor do their healthcare expenses and other losses that don't make it into the federal ledger. Costs shift to the states, and to the tax payers who cover those costs if the states rise to the occasion. Costs shift to the hospitals who make up for uncompensated care by charging more to insured patients who then in turn pay higher insurance premiums and copay charges. Those who don't receive care become even more dependent on others and productivity is reduced. The full equation, or cost benefit analysis is never employed. A so called savings to the Federal government can be and is often very costly to the public. Costs simply don't disappear. A GOP boast about savings as they boost military spending and tax cuts for the wealthy is a shell game.
3
How on earth do so many people link universal health care with socialism and loss of individual freedom?
The debate over medical insurance and Medicaid deflects from genuine structural problems with the provision of affordable healthcare in the USA. A recent article in the NYT suggested "about a quarter of adults under 65 have medical debt"... What is going on that this is allowed to happen? Is that somehow acceptable within American politics?
From here in Australia this debate sounds incredibly strange. Like the USA, we are a wealthy country. As a nation, we have decided that we are wealthy enough to ensure that every person has access to healthcare. We encourage private health insurance and actively fight to help the sick access otherwise unaffordable drugs. But it's not all a free ride.
We have "free" government healthcare but you sit on a prioritized waiting list. Private medical insurance is encouraged through income tested tax rebates. If you don't have private insurance and earn over $90k'ish then you pay a surcharge that varies from 1% to 1.5%.
Our system is not perfect but it delivers a strong level of healthcare to an entire population, while allowing for individual choice of doctor and insurance cover should you elect to "go private".
Both the ACA and the Republican alternative involve huge government subsidy, so there is no economic high moral ground. Just a debate that hides a structurally inefficient and expensive health system.
The debate over medical insurance and Medicaid deflects from genuine structural problems with the provision of affordable healthcare in the USA. A recent article in the NYT suggested "about a quarter of adults under 65 have medical debt"... What is going on that this is allowed to happen? Is that somehow acceptable within American politics?
From here in Australia this debate sounds incredibly strange. Like the USA, we are a wealthy country. As a nation, we have decided that we are wealthy enough to ensure that every person has access to healthcare. We encourage private health insurance and actively fight to help the sick access otherwise unaffordable drugs. But it's not all a free ride.
We have "free" government healthcare but you sit on a prioritized waiting list. Private medical insurance is encouraged through income tested tax rebates. If you don't have private insurance and earn over $90k'ish then you pay a surcharge that varies from 1% to 1.5%.
Our system is not perfect but it delivers a strong level of healthcare to an entire population, while allowing for individual choice of doctor and insurance cover should you elect to "go private".
Both the ACA and the Republican alternative involve huge government subsidy, so there is no economic high moral ground. Just a debate that hides a structurally inefficient and expensive health system.
6
It works. Most Americans think a sociology course is a course about socialism and they couldn't begin to tell you the definition of either.
We live in a very regressed society. Money is the number one value in this country. Proven by almost every facet of the economy.
People are educated just enough to shoot themselves in the foot. It's a scary thought but we got the government we deserved because the country is run the way it is. Sad.
We live in a very regressed society. Money is the number one value in this country. Proven by almost every facet of the economy.
People are educated just enough to shoot themselves in the foot. It's a scary thought but we got the government we deserved because the country is run the way it is. Sad.
1
Please, for the love of God, stop calling this Charlie Foxtrot Trump Care. It is really GOP Care. Every last Republican from Trump right down to your next door neighbor MUST own this contract on America's workers. When real people start dying because of this disaster we will be morally obligated to hang this Scarlet Letter around the neck of every last Republican in this country. Make every last one of them a pariah and cast them all into the dust bin of history.
6
Disagreeing with the CBO score doesn't change the fact that millions will lose coverage, that Medicaid will be cut by millions of dollars and premiums will rise sharply. Trumpcare isn't about giving more people healthcare insurance, call it for what it is, a huge tax cut for the rich!! Nothing will change to make it better years down the road if this huge POS is passed as the unqualified clown in the WH is claiming. There isn't going to be parts two and three to make it better, this is it. Lying Ryan is excited at the prospect of people losing coverage and the rich getting a huge tax cut. Disgusting is what I call it. Spicer during this presser on this POS bill pointed to the size of the ACA in comparison to Trumpcare like that made this ugly excuse somehow better. No Sean, it just means way less thought went into it.
3
Think of the money that the government will save when these uninsured people die off! A boon for funeral homes! Heck, they probably are unemployed losers anyway, and not contributing much tax revenue, so there is really no down side to this!
Excellent job, Mr Ryan and your GOP friends!
Excellent job, Mr Ryan and your GOP friends!
5
Just think that all of this was caused by the hatred of a black president.
6
GOP health care policy: Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime. If the man gets sick, let him drop dead.
6
Don't be silly, Republicans don't believe in teaching anyone anything, just look at what they have done to education in the U.S.
1
Save money for precisely who? All those millions in savings are really a way to fund the tax break for the wealthy--which includes plenty of Pharmaceutical C.E.O. types, medical equipment manufacturers, private hospitals and lots of physicians. Etc. This is a prescription to keep the system the most expensive health care in the world while reducing life expectancy and increasing illness even further in America. Wow. Now that's a plan isn't it..."Great Health Care. Your're going to love it" Those are real quotes, not the imaginary ones the great Donald likes to say he uses when he lies about almost anything under the sun, including health care.
1
It's a fair point by Republicans that, if one is covered by Medicaid, finding a doctor may be difficult. However, making coverage unaffordable for millions and pretending that is their choice is simply a lie. A bipartisan improvement of the current law would be much more difficult, but that's where leadership comes in. Come on Congress! Both sides of the aisle need to drop the posturing and work on this. Don't expect any thought-partnership from the Whitehouse.
1
Stop focusing on DJT in this healthcare battle. This issue is bigger than him.
This GOP plan is the output of a morally corrupt GOP party.
In this battle to save millions from losing their healthcare elected officials must pick a side. Is healthcare a right or a privilege?
Those that see it as a privilege must be identified by their voting record (not by what they say) and voted out of office at the earliest possible opportunity.
The voting public must draw clear lines- elected officials must VOTE in Congress for the things we care about or be removed from office.
Until then we need to find out all that we can about DJT ties to the Kremlin. Even for the casual observer they look to be deep!
This GOP plan is the output of a morally corrupt GOP party.
In this battle to save millions from losing their healthcare elected officials must pick a side. Is healthcare a right or a privilege?
Those that see it as a privilege must be identified by their voting record (not by what they say) and voted out of office at the earliest possible opportunity.
The voting public must draw clear lines- elected officials must VOTE in Congress for the things we care about or be removed from office.
Until then we need to find out all that we can about DJT ties to the Kremlin. Even for the casual observer they look to be deep!
2
Health care is neither a right nor a privilege, it is a necessary. You don't see people blithely claiming that "food" is either a right or privilege, pick one. Starving children want to eat? Too bad, food is a privilege they have not earned.
1
The United States remains the only democracy in the world that denies single payer health care to its citizens. I live in France and enjoy full medical coverage, can choose any doctor I want, and pay 99€ a month for major medical, including dentistry and eye care. I can get a pair of prescription eye glasses or sun glasses every year.
In the United States, you have by far the highest medical costs in the world without the best quality. More than 30 percent of the population is now morbidly obese and infant mortality is up. You also have a major opiate epidemic with more people dying from drug overdoses than car accidents. Is this American exceptionalism? Or gross incompetence and neglect?
The ACA under Obama tried with one hand tied behind its back to address these problems. Until we have an honest conversation about health care and government priorities in this country, Americans will continue to suffer. In the end however, it's up to the electorate to decide the government it wishes to live under. Because 77.9 million people refused to vote, we now have the current situation. Maybe people will have to needlessly suffer and die before the electorate wakes up. This is a national tragedy that will not only impact the Baby Boomer generation but their descendants as well. It is time for America to look beyond its self-constructed mental and psychological borders and see why people are happier and healthier elsewhere i.e. France, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway...
In the United States, you have by far the highest medical costs in the world without the best quality. More than 30 percent of the population is now morbidly obese and infant mortality is up. You also have a major opiate epidemic with more people dying from drug overdoses than car accidents. Is this American exceptionalism? Or gross incompetence and neglect?
The ACA under Obama tried with one hand tied behind its back to address these problems. Until we have an honest conversation about health care and government priorities in this country, Americans will continue to suffer. In the end however, it's up to the electorate to decide the government it wishes to live under. Because 77.9 million people refused to vote, we now have the current situation. Maybe people will have to needlessly suffer and die before the electorate wakes up. This is a national tragedy that will not only impact the Baby Boomer generation but their descendants as well. It is time for America to look beyond its self-constructed mental and psychological borders and see why people are happier and healthier elsewhere i.e. France, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway...
20
Insurers make $160 Billion in profits each year. That means there is a $160 Billion gap between the money paid into the system by employers and citizens to have protection, and the money received by healthcare providers, doctors and hospitals, to provide service. Capitalism allows for intermediaries that connect many different buyers and sellers. After all, we don't contact farmers directly to purchase food, grocers ably provide that service. But healthcare differs from retail. If food gets more expensive, you can buy dried beans rather than prepared gourmet dinners. If cars get more expensive, you can take public transportation. If housing is outrageously expensive, you can get roommates or live farther from the city care where prices are lower. There is no cancer treatment equivalent for dried beans. No emergency room substitute akin to taking the city bus.
By having a profit-driven intermediary for healthcare, which leaves millions uninsured, what you are really doing is valuing corporate profits over lives. Other essential services like police and fire protection are funded by everyone for the benefit of everyone, because ultimately society is much better off that way. I have never needed the police or fire department, but I gladly pay for it in case my neighbor does. And maybe some day when I do need those services, I will have them thanks to my neighbors. A single payee system is the only way to do it.
By having a profit-driven intermediary for healthcare, which leaves millions uninsured, what you are really doing is valuing corporate profits over lives. Other essential services like police and fire protection are funded by everyone for the benefit of everyone, because ultimately society is much better off that way. I have never needed the police or fire department, but I gladly pay for it in case my neighbor does. And maybe some day when I do need those services, I will have them thanks to my neighbors. A single payee system is the only way to do it.
29
So. There you have it.
Save money at the expense of American lives.
Save money at the expense of American lives.
16
How about we not get rid of the tax breaks for wealthier Americans. Why don't we take all the money saved from the new plan in addition to the tax break funds and apply it all to the debt. We have a 20 trillion dollar debt.
1
That's because they want the middle and lower class to pay down the debt so that the rich can get even richer.
Taking money away from Medicaid, or as they like to put it "entitlements", is their number one goal other than dismantling the ACA. They are blind to the wishes of the majority of Americans to not get rid of ACA, all so they can say that beat Obama at the expense of poor, underemployed and the elderly who will now bear the brunt for their shortsightedness, partisanship and selfishness. Whether they call it TrumpCare, GOPCare, or RyanCare; the GOP will ultimately be responsible for the death panels they swore the ACA would be. Ryan's recent presentation showed all of us that they do not understand the concept behind healthcare. Picking and choosing what they want out of the CBO to fit their narrative is business as usual for this administration and the GOP. It's all fake unless it makes them look good. This plan is not worth the paper it's printed on, and guaranteed most of them know it and just don't care.
10
Medicaid is an entitlement. It is free health insurance to those with low paying jobs or no job and for LAZY bums who just don't want to work.
Medicare, yes those who worked and paid into Medicare deserve to use it.
Big difference between the two.
I say kick the lazy bums out of Medicaid and food stamps.
Medicare, yes those who worked and paid into Medicare deserve to use it.
Big difference between the two.
I say kick the lazy bums out of Medicaid and food stamps.
Chad, if you're going to group people into categories
Like lazy bums, you best look at those who voted for DJT. Many of them got subsidies with no fuss or complaints. And many are not lazy bums but working at low paying jobs because there are few options where they live. They are in for a surprise. You may be too depending on what kind of work you do. It's easy to cast stones when it's not your family members with life threatening expensive health issues.
Why don't we look at the profits in the health insurance companies. Odd that health is s commodity on the stock market. Weird that those CEOs pocket millions.
We live in a topsy turvy world.
Like lazy bums, you best look at those who voted for DJT. Many of them got subsidies with no fuss or complaints. And many are not lazy bums but working at low paying jobs because there are few options where they live. They are in for a surprise. You may be too depending on what kind of work you do. It's easy to cast stones when it's not your family members with life threatening expensive health issues.
Why don't we look at the profits in the health insurance companies. Odd that health is s commodity on the stock market. Weird that those CEOs pocket millions.
We live in a topsy turvy world.
2
What I don't get is that over a 10 year period Obamacare according to the CBO would cost between $1.2 and $1.4 trillion. If the AHCA saves the taxpayers $300-400 billion over that same period, then we're still spending between $800 and $1100 billion over the next ten years.
Ok, so what are the estimates of overall coverage reduction for this proposed discount? The CBO estimated that Obamacare now covers around 16.4 million people who would not otherwise be covered. Again according to the CBO, the AHCA would add an estimated 14 million people to the uninsured versus Obamacare.
So for us taxpayers, you want us to be ok with a law that will keep 70% of the cost, but keep only 15% of the benefit? Even granting that the CBOs numbers are imperfect, although I see no better source, there seems no way that this comes close to being an objectively good thing for us.
Cut off the nose to spite the face much?
Ok, so what are the estimates of overall coverage reduction for this proposed discount? The CBO estimated that Obamacare now covers around 16.4 million people who would not otherwise be covered. Again according to the CBO, the AHCA would add an estimated 14 million people to the uninsured versus Obamacare.
So for us taxpayers, you want us to be ok with a law that will keep 70% of the cost, but keep only 15% of the benefit? Even granting that the CBOs numbers are imperfect, although I see no better source, there seems no way that this comes close to being an objectively good thing for us.
Cut off the nose to spite the face much?
9
"He [Paul Ryan] said the goal of Republicans was not 'to win some coverage beauty contest' or 'to show a pretty piece of paper that says we’re mandating great things for Americans' with their health bill."
Mandating great things for Americans through law is exactly what Congress is supposed to be doing. What other mandate is there? What other mandate could there possibly be? We might disagree on the definition of "great" but legislators are not paid to intentionally pursue mediocrity.
Even the sitting President's campaign slogan was "Make America Great Again!" A phrase that explicitly suggests the government, in which Paul Ryan stands prominently, was not doing great things for American people. I'm amazed. Where do Republican leaders get off?
Mandating great things for Americans through law is exactly what Congress is supposed to be doing. What other mandate is there? What other mandate could there possibly be? We might disagree on the definition of "great" but legislators are not paid to intentionally pursue mediocrity.
Even the sitting President's campaign slogan was "Make America Great Again!" A phrase that explicitly suggests the government, in which Paul Ryan stands prominently, was not doing great things for American people. I'm amazed. Where do Republican leaders get off?
7
On the bright side, rich people get more tax cuts !!
9
"Survival of the fittest!", Herbert Spencer would approve. Calvin would more easily point to the "elect" of his severe God.
As for those of us burdened with empathy for "the less fit" and worshipers of a more kindly God: What would the Congressional Budget numbers look like for a system here like the Canadian, German, French...or even our British friends?
Of course we all understand that health care as a human right in an advanced civilization leads inevitably to immorality. Vulgar common men and women and children are not paragons of virtue as are our American CEOs on Wallstreet That is why we bail them out when what they do is sick. -Rudolph W. Ebner
As for those of us burdened with empathy for "the less fit" and worshipers of a more kindly God: What would the Congressional Budget numbers look like for a system here like the Canadian, German, French...or even our British friends?
Of course we all understand that health care as a human right in an advanced civilization leads inevitably to immorality. Vulgar common men and women and children are not paragons of virtue as are our American CEOs on Wallstreet That is why we bail them out when what they do is sick. -Rudolph W. Ebner
3
"If they would rather die," said Scrooge, "they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population."
7
So what would they do with those $33.7 Billion saved every year? I still wonder why Trump and the GOP are so reluctant to invest in healthcare and so eager to invest in nuclear weapons.
15
Do not forget that President Trump and his family and the senators and representatives all have health insurance and I believe will have forever with pension and other benefits thanks to the government. No bad.
It's interesting (and concerning) to me that no one is talking about the "other" group of adults who will likely choose to drop coverage under this plan. Just as it's logical for healthy young adults to drop their insurance it is even more logical and perhaps will be necessary for working adults in the 50-64 year old range to drop coverage. If insurers go ahead and start charging the vastly increased rates to this group they could choose to defer healthcare for years and gamble that they'll make it to 65 and thus Medicare in decent enough health. Consequently Medicare will become further stretched as adults reaching 65 will be in poorer health. If this sounds merely theoretical it isn't, this was precisely what was happening after the recession prior to the ACA being enacted.
12
I'm sure the crafters of this bill were talking about it amongst themselves. And in a few years, we will be told, again, that Medicare is not sustainable as a government program, and must be privatized. Just what they wanted all along!
Now we can fire all the old people who were such a drain on our balance sheets.
7
So, we're supposed to buy in to this 'beautiful' new plan based on Price's assurance that 'it did not take into account regulatory steps he intends to take, as well as other legislation that Republicans plan as part of their multistep strategy to repeal and replace the health law.' And, have to listen to how thrilled Ryan is that the CBO report 'exceeded his expectations' in 'allowing' so many people a choice of coverage - or no coverage at all, so they're back to using the emergency room as their primary care physicians. If they were truly interested in doing better for most Americans they would slow down and formulate a real plan, explain it throughly to the American people and then move forward. But no...we're supposed to just take their word that they will do the right thing. We've already seen what this administration's word is worth - no thanks, I want facts.
11
$337,000,000,000 (billion) divided by $16,000,000,000,000 (trillion) is 0.021 percent of the current deficit.
The human impact is 24,000,000 people.
Do the savings out weigh the costs? to say nothing of how the whole plan will impact everyone else adversely.
The human impact is 24,000,000 people.
Do the savings out weigh the costs? to say nothing of how the whole plan will impact everyone else adversely.
4
You forgot to multiply by 100, so it's actually 2.1%, but since our annual deficit is over $500B, I'm not sure that's a very meaningful number. The $337B savings is over 10 years, so let's call it $33.7B per year. That's about 7% of our annual deficit of $500B, so it's not huge, but it's not chump change. The thing is, it's not really a "savings". That money will come out of our economy one way or another, and paying for insurance might be the best deal we can get.
1
Populism is not for people.
6
I'm confused - are we talking about The Republican Health Care Plan or the Republican's Contract on America ? This latest GOP schtick gives Benny Hill a run for his money. BTW - Where's Benny Hill's Healthcare Plan?
3
Single payer, Medicare that pays 100% (without the current 20% less that, because of price gouging, we actually need insurance to pay for now.)
Then go after the price gougers who upped their prices by over 100 fold.
If other countries can provide health care for all their citizens, and they are not nearly as wealthy as ours, what is going here????
Look at the 10's of millions of dollars in pay and bonuses the CEO's of the insurance companies pay themselves each year.
"For Profit Health Care" is as criminal as.. "Your money or Your life"
Then go after the price gougers who upped their prices by over 100 fold.
If other countries can provide health care for all their citizens, and they are not nearly as wealthy as ours, what is going here????
Look at the 10's of millions of dollars in pay and bonuses the CEO's of the insurance companies pay themselves each year.
"For Profit Health Care" is as criminal as.. "Your money or Your life"
14
I am so angry and disappointed with my fellow Americans who put these mean thieves in office who peddle tax breaks to the rich, while cutting health care affordability for the poor and middle-class. (And that's putting aside for a moment all the other lovelies they've brought us, like calling a free press the "enemy of the people" and the embrace of intolerance.)
I thought so much better of my fellow citizens before November 2016.
I vacillate between seething and profound disappointment. Mainly I just want to cry.
I thought so much better of my fellow citizens before November 2016.
I vacillate between seething and profound disappointment. Mainly I just want to cry.
30
The sad part is that they will vote for their own destruction every chance they get.
The Republicans have a base that they can count on.
They may die sickly and destitute, but with their dying breath will say "we won".
The Republicans have a base that they can count on.
They may die sickly and destitute, but with their dying breath will say "we won".
3
As a small business owner, I rely on the ACA to provide health insurance to my employees and me. The proposed GOP bill will literally put me out of business. I am sure that I am not alone and other small businesses will suffer as well. Someone on this thread commented that Health insurance isn't a right, but a choice. To that I can only respond that the United States is the ONLY country in the world that does not regulate health care and drug costs. Through the abject greed of our elected officials, our government would prefer to harm it's citizens rather than lose out on a big payout from the medical/pharma industry.
38
The billionaires have banded together in the Trump administration to kill all the benefits available to the 99%. They have dreams of an America where they have no responisibility for the well being of the populace. Only themselves. They dream of a new health care plan that costs them less at the expense of the 99%. They dream of no taxes on their corporations. When they have accomplished that, they dream of ridding themselves of Medicare, Medicade and Social Security. This is just the start. I dream of Americans standing up to this band of billionaires and saying no. If Europeans can have universal health care so can we. But in Europe, billionaires pay lots of taxes -- more than in the US. That's why the US is a have for billionaires, but you'd never know it from their weeping and wailing.
13
What will happen to the millions of elderly in nursing homes? Since they can't take care of themselves and have no income, does the Republican non-health care plan include euthanasia, i.e. death panels? What about if you get cancer and haven't "saved up" enough or make enough to get "tax credits" that won't cover one round of chemo? Too expensive to pay for that unplanned pregnancy? Maybe you should abort, or have been born richer. Republicans appear to despise anyone who works for a living and wasn't born rich. If they pass this conscienceless bill, they need to be voted out of office. How dare Trump ask for billions to join the Russian in killing Muslims overseas while denying Americans the actual health care they need at home. They have no plan worthy of the name. This wealth transfer of the people's money to the wealthy and greedy certainly has nothing to do with health.
16
There is a huge difference between losing one's insurance and choosing not to buy it which is the bulk of the people referenced in the headline. Typical partisan reporting.
3
No, the bulk of the people referred to in the headline cannot afford insurance. The only way I can currently afford a policy is with a monthly subsidy due to the Affordable Care Act.
5
I realize that is true for some people. But a lot of the 24 million referenced by the CBO are young and healthy people currently mandated to buy insurance who will choose to drop it.
OK Republicans now let's be honest. If the CBO
report had indicated your plan was viable,
does anyone with a brain think Trump,
Price et al wouldn't be using it evidence
supporting their legislation. Just asking.
report had indicated your plan was viable,
does anyone with a brain think Trump,
Price et al wouldn't be using it evidence
supporting their legislation. Just asking.
8
Leaving people without healthcare is not saving money. It's just changing what you call it. That doesn't make it so.
Trump & Co is old enough to remember the market economy in healthcare — it didn't work. What will make it work this time? Fancy language? New dictionaries?
Trump & Co is old enough to remember the market economy in healthcare — it didn't work. What will make it work this time? Fancy language? New dictionaries?
7
24 million more uninsured Americans but the Republican plan will "'save" $337 billion. Maybe enough to buy another aircraft carrier, the USS Donald J. Trump.
7
A garbage scow would be much more appropriate.
2
Call it Coroner Care Act or Funeral Director Recovery Act. Should create a boom in the death businesses. Gonna need more cemetery space.
I like to attention to detail...six pages on dealing with lottery winners and how to remove them from the program for becoming wealthy.
I like to attention to detail...six pages on dealing with lottery winners and how to remove them from the program for becoming wealthy.
7
Oh sure. Save $$$$$ but penalize/ hurt the public. Just like the Flint Michigan idiots who saved pennies and ended up poisoning their citizens by allowing their public water system to die. Sounds like another corrupt political act.
14
they were democrats
Ron - No, they weren't.
2
The middle class who can afford insurance whether on their own or through work will pay the price when the uninsured end up in the hospital and have no insurance or money to pay their bill.
8
So my question is: why is protecting people from violence so important, but not from illness and disease? If life is precious, then let's protect it from all that threatens it, not just what scares us the most.
10
This TrumpCare bill gives giant tax breaks to people that don't need them and cuts subsidies and access to Medicaid for people that have little income. It is a transfer of wealth from the poor and the government to the wealthy.
There are no committed insurance companies to this program
There are no sample plans and rate structures available.
Who knows what the individual TrumpCare market will look like as this bill is step one congress wants us to trust them that they will get to step two....where have I heard that before..this is like getting into a car with a stranger who promises candy when we get to the amusement park
Don't get in the car.
There are no committed insurance companies to this program
There are no sample plans and rate structures available.
Who knows what the individual TrumpCare market will look like as this bill is step one congress wants us to trust them that they will get to step two....where have I heard that before..this is like getting into a car with a stranger who promises candy when we get to the amusement park
Don't get in the car.
I have an idea, let’s take the C.B.O. report on the GOP health care bill and print it out on American Legislative Exchange Counsil [ALEC] letter head...then the GOP would act on it.
3
By reducing the number of Americans able to afford health insurance by 24 million, and then by going after Medicaid and finally Medicare, Paul Ryan and his henchman Tom Price will soon join the gallery of history's most heinous monsters, such as Stalin and Mao, whose economic policies similarly resulted in the death of millions.
7
You left out Pol Pot.
1
Neither Republicans nor Democrats are directly debating two important questions about the funding of health care: Does the government have a responsibility to insure basic health care for its citizens? Is our current health care system providing health care American citizens deserve? Conservative Republicans believe in limited government, and do not view health care as the responsibility of governments but of individuals. They should say so and vote accordingly. Liberal Democrats believe that health care is a right of citizenship. But they need to say that the government can only afford to fund the most medically and cost-effective effective care. Not expensive care with limited benefits to patients and society. In its 2013 report, “U.S. Health an International Perspective: Shorter Lives and Poorer Health”, the National Academy of Sciences concluded that in comparison to any other highly developed country, “Americans are dying and suffering from illness and injury at rates that are demonstrably unnecessary”. The NAS identified a number of reasons for this sad fact. One is the high level of infant mortality in the US, which exceeds that of any other highly developed country, but is similar to that in Cuba. Another is “United States has a relatively large uninsured population and more limited access to primary care. Americans are more likely to find their health care inaccessible or unaffordable and to report lapses in the quality and safety of care outside of hospitals.”
Subsidizing millions with essentially free healthcare by increasing taxes on the already heavily taxed middle-class is not what I would consider a success story of Obamacare. Everyone should have access to affordable healthcare, not free healthcare. Even Medicaid patients should have skin in the game. If Medicaid patients can afford iPhones, Netflix, Alcohol, ... they can afford healthcare. The coddling of deadbeats and laggards ends with this common sense Health Bill.
1
Actually, the ACA taxed very high incomes, especially those earned by insurance company execs. I see no need to "coddle" people alreay earning millions per year with a tax break. Medicaid patients DO have "skin in the game" -- their actual skin. Many of them work just as hard for a living as those inaurance execs.
3
Did the article point out that many of the uninsured are uninsured in the Trump Healthcare plan because they chose not to take healthcare. That's unlike Obama care when the government mandates healthcare whether you want it or not. What do people like Sanders feel it is the responsibility of the government to force healthcare on everyone? Never mind that Obama plan is a bad plan. Unfortunately we have lived with the ACA so long that we have become tolerant of its shortfalls.
1
"Did the article point out that many of the uninsured are uninsured in the Trump Healthcare plan because they chose not to take healthcare."
I'm sure the 14 million next year will be able to get great healthcare for the $1714.29 annual per person cost savings achieved on them.
I'm sure the 14 million next year will be able to get great healthcare for the $1714.29 annual per person cost savings achieved on them.
2
Any positives (lower premium etc) that comes out of Trumpcare accrues at a future day (2020 or 2026). By then, most of the people who need insurance for their chronic condition would be dead!
3
Improving ACCESS to health care would mean something like establishing affordable clinics in every county in the U.S. - a good idea floated by George W. Bush but never carried out. Allowing people to purchase insurance of any kind, or none at all, has nothing to do with access to health care.
5
Allowing others to die for your ideology when you yourself are not at risk is a pretty good definition of evil. This Republican plan is evil.
14
Social Darwinism at its best...
4
Herein lies one of the great truths of democracy, that's once a government entitlement program has begun it is nearly impossible to unwind that program - even one that is failing like the Affordable Care Act. Under ACA premiums have skyrocketed, competition has disappeared in most healthcare marketplaces, and millions who are listed as "insured" can't actually afford the healthcare they've been guaranteed - and as the system fails millions of them will lose the healthcare coverage they currently have but can't afford. We need innovative thinking that gets outside the failed Great Society mindset, and offers entrepreneurial solutions that drive down costs for all Americans while guaranteeing access to affordable healthcare. We do need a social safety net for the poor through Medicare, Medicaid and the like, but Obamacare has proven that a sweeping healthcare entitlement is simply unworkable.
1
One party did all they could to make sure it didn't work as it was intended. They ultimately did the country a favor, though, for the days of half measures will ultimately be jettisoned for Medicare for all.
3
The habitual liars are eager to attack the CBO. But look at it this way. Even if the CBO's estimate is high by 50 percent, the snake oil that Paul Ryan is selling is still disastrous. And the liars have not offered one bit of tangible evidence that the CBO is wrong at all.
10
I sure am glad we didn't get stuck with that "flawed" candidate Hillary Clinton.
8
And this has to do with the healthcare debacle how?
She would have been sure to veto such an insane and inhuman bill.
3
It is long past time for Americans of Main Street to face the fact that we are now the sole support of billionaires. What they hide is how they rely so heavily on our hard earned tax dollars that they know if we realized WE support them and they are the ones on the DOLE to us, we'd all be in the streets revolting.
The TrumpCare agenda is to hand over another hundred billion to HMO CEOs of the Big 6. Remember when Robert Benmosche of AIG whined about how he "might not be able to afford to send his children" to one of the poshest schools if he didn't "get a $10.6 million bonus?"
Unless the Republicans have totally lost all sense of honor and integrity, they know that uninsuring millions who finally were able to afford healthcare means some will die. I surely hope the families of the dead sue the Republican Party. Don't go after the government. Go after the Party that allowed two billionaire Libertarians, Charles and David Koch, to infiltration the GOP with attack dog mentalities like Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, Daryl Issa, Trey Gowdy, Chaffetz and Cotton.
These boys love to get the spotlight. So, give it to them. Not a single one of them are innocent lambs being led to slaughter. Out them and every single bit of dirt on them and make them take accountability for what they are doing. Anything less is tyranny.
The TrumpCare agenda is to hand over another hundred billion to HMO CEOs of the Big 6. Remember when Robert Benmosche of AIG whined about how he "might not be able to afford to send his children" to one of the poshest schools if he didn't "get a $10.6 million bonus?"
Unless the Republicans have totally lost all sense of honor and integrity, they know that uninsuring millions who finally were able to afford healthcare means some will die. I surely hope the families of the dead sue the Republican Party. Don't go after the government. Go after the Party that allowed two billionaire Libertarians, Charles and David Koch, to infiltration the GOP with attack dog mentalities like Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, Daryl Issa, Trey Gowdy, Chaffetz and Cotton.
These boys love to get the spotlight. So, give it to them. Not a single one of them are innocent lambs being led to slaughter. Out them and every single bit of dirt on them and make them take accountability for what they are doing. Anything less is tyranny.
11
24 million loose their coverage.
$337 billion excised from the health care industry.
Does this sound like a win/win situation?
The only freedom here is the wealthiest Americans will have the FREEDOM to spend their unpaid tax money somewhere else. $337,000,000,000 Worth.
Where will that money go? Hey honey I just bought that small town we liked in Mexico. The apartment building in New Zealand.
The truth is they have so much money they will not throw it back into the local economy. They might not invest it in the American economy.
Taxation is a way to keep the money turning in the economy and not being sealed in an offshore bank vault. The GOP prefers their owners have the FREEDOM to do as they wish.
This is a reverse Robin Hood bill. Steal from the average man and give it to their owners.
The GOP program continues its mindless ways serving the rich.
Condolences.
$337 billion excised from the health care industry.
Does this sound like a win/win situation?
The only freedom here is the wealthiest Americans will have the FREEDOM to spend their unpaid tax money somewhere else. $337,000,000,000 Worth.
Where will that money go? Hey honey I just bought that small town we liked in Mexico. The apartment building in New Zealand.
The truth is they have so much money they will not throw it back into the local economy. They might not invest it in the American economy.
Taxation is a way to keep the money turning in the economy and not being sealed in an offshore bank vault. The GOP prefers their owners have the FREEDOM to do as they wish.
This is a reverse Robin Hood bill. Steal from the average man and give it to their owners.
The GOP program continues its mindless ways serving the rich.
Condolences.
Is Sean Spicer wearing two different shoes in the picture?
6
Yes. It looks like some kind of brace or cast on one of his feet. He must have injured his foot putting it into his mouth.
2
Recognizing this is a digression, but does anyone else appreciate the irony in Sean Spicer's apparent foot injury (photo reveals dress shoe on left foot and Birkenstock sandal on right foot) during this press conference promoting the GOP's health bill?
11
Single-payer, single-payer, single-payer.
If you want the MOST number of people covered for the LEAST amount of money and the BEST outcomes, you need single-payer. But.....
It comes with the understanding that government takes over the health insurance industry entirely. Which means the government gets to decide how much a doctor can charge, how much an X-ray can cost, how much a hospital costs per day, how much Big Pharma can charge for drugs.
It's a slog to get to there, but every journey begins with the first step. And I believe the first step is to do what republicans did: a complete take-over of congress and the White House. It will take another "perfect storm" of voters having had enough and wanting - finally - their government to work for them and only democrats will take the power of the voter to enact single-payer. Republicans want to turn this country into a dog-eat-dog place to live. And they're doing a pretty good job of it right now, with all these cabinet appointments and the assaults on health care.
If you want the MOST number of people covered for the LEAST amount of money and the BEST outcomes, you need single-payer. But.....
It comes with the understanding that government takes over the health insurance industry entirely. Which means the government gets to decide how much a doctor can charge, how much an X-ray can cost, how much a hospital costs per day, how much Big Pharma can charge for drugs.
It's a slog to get to there, but every journey begins with the first step. And I believe the first step is to do what republicans did: a complete take-over of congress and the White House. It will take another "perfect storm" of voters having had enough and wanting - finally - their government to work for them and only democrats will take the power of the voter to enact single-payer. Republicans want to turn this country into a dog-eat-dog place to live. And they're doing a pretty good job of it right now, with all these cabinet appointments and the assaults on health care.
3
Good comment but I think it's more like pig eat pig, dogs would be ashamed of the GOP's kind of behavior.
1
All of this makes it even more obvious that universal health care is the only solution. All or nothing (e.g. Trump care.) All those people who hated Obamacare sure will hate to see their ACA benefits disappear. Citing their anti-socialist logic, we should get rid of all their Social Security and Medicare benefits too.
3
Seniors and lower income Americans are being thrown under the bus by this proposed plan. It is so disingenuous for Republicans to crow that more Americans will have access to medical insurance, a meaningless concept when health insurance becomes unaffordable. As a senior citizen, I am being made very nervous by this complete lack of compassion by the Republican Congress when they next turn their attention to Medicare. This will happen and will impact our most vulnerable citizens.
10
And there but for the grace of God go I, should be the guiding principle.
If you do the math, the GOP bill would save $156 per person they kick off insurance per year or $13 per person per month, Yeah, that's worth it
Until this country can pull away from its obscene penchant for endless war and militarism,veneration of gluttonous wealth, and failure to show human sympathy, it's going to govern itself like....well...Trump governs himself. a comparison altogether too accurate for comfort.
Such Gall-the "Good Luck Trying to Survive while I'm On my 8th Trip to Hawaii this Year" Act. Why not just put the 24 million on a Freeway and have these Republicans try to run them over. Same effect.
6
Does everyone see the false logic in this comment by Speaker Ryan, "“I think they sort of overestimate the uninsured number, just like they overestimated who would be insured by Obamacare..." If their history is to overestimate who would get insured, that means they underestimated who wouldn't get covered...there is no reason to believe they didn't underestimate again and he could be putting many more that 24 million Americans at risk to pay for his tax cuts to the rich.
Don't let the Republicans use false logic to get a bad plan passed. We have healthcare plans that have been around for a while, why not expand Medicare. It could provide a baseline of health care, and people who wish to pay for more could buy additional coverage.
Don't let the Republicans use false logic to get a bad plan passed. We have healthcare plans that have been around for a while, why not expand Medicare. It could provide a baseline of health care, and people who wish to pay for more could buy additional coverage.
The thing that jumps out at me is that employer health insurance is still a tax free benefit to the employee;whereas, the 64 year old under either plan still has a limited tax deduction for their health insurance.
If the benefits were equal regardless of whether paid for by an employer or privately, then the deduction would be for the full amount.
We should be asking for equality regardless of our employment status.
This is similar to issues around 401k's and IRA's. The limits for tax deferred contributions for an employers 401k are way higher than for a privately funded IRA.
Again there is a preference for someone working for a large company and someone working at say a part time job that doesn't offer either health insurance or a savings plan.
How is this equitable?
If the benefits were equal regardless of whether paid for by an employer or privately, then the deduction would be for the full amount.
We should be asking for equality regardless of our employment status.
This is similar to issues around 401k's and IRA's. The limits for tax deferred contributions for an employers 401k are way higher than for a privately funded IRA.
Again there is a preference for someone working for a large company and someone working at say a part time job that doesn't offer either health insurance or a savings plan.
How is this equitable?
I was wondering if anyone had seen the difference in the tax break for the rich. Is it a tax break or does the new law return them to pre-ACA tax levels?
We need to change the conversation. If people were allowed to pay what the hospitals actually receive from the insurance companies insurance needs would be slashed. My wife had an MRI recently that cost $10K her medicare paid 600 and her secondary paid another 400. If I had gone in without insurance I would have been expected to pay the full 10K. Why is there such a huge markup on all things medical?
We need to change the conversation. If people were allowed to pay what the hospitals actually receive from the insurance companies insurance needs would be slashed. My wife had an MRI recently that cost $10K her medicare paid 600 and her secondary paid another 400. If I had gone in without insurance I would have been expected to pay the full 10K. Why is there such a huge markup on all things medical?
8
yer money or yer life.
4
Change the headline: 24 million may lose health insurance
Trump said: "We are going to have insurance for everybody".
Well the time has come to keep your word, Trump. Tell them you'll veto or tell us you're a liar. 14 million people losing insurance next year does not sound like 'insurance for everybody' to me.
Also, if Tom Price really does have some brilliant plan to make sure that doesn't happen, then let's hear it. I think we ought to know what that plan is before any Representative casts a vote on this bill. White House wants the CBO to take Price's plan into account, go right ahead, tell them what the plan is so they can do just that. In the meantime, stop this bill in its tracks until we've got a complete picture.
Well the time has come to keep your word, Trump. Tell them you'll veto or tell us you're a liar. 14 million people losing insurance next year does not sound like 'insurance for everybody' to me.
Also, if Tom Price really does have some brilliant plan to make sure that doesn't happen, then let's hear it. I think we ought to know what that plan is before any Representative casts a vote on this bill. White House wants the CBO to take Price's plan into account, go right ahead, tell them what the plan is so they can do just that. In the meantime, stop this bill in its tracks until we've got a complete picture.
4
This Health Care Bill is complex. If it is truly not a good bill (and I expect nothing good from the Republican's), then Americans are going to need to be educated about this bill. Who is going to do that and how? And who is going to fight this bill in Congress? I fear we can not rely on our Congressional Democrats, who have proven to be weak and ineffective since the inauguration.
I have an idea, it's been on my mind for a while--our congressmen and women enjoy some kind of health insurance that I am sure is great, why not just offer us the same--
Also, re: "the mandate issue" that is so upsetting to Mr. Ryan--you buy a car, you are required to have insurance--what is the difference.
Thirdly--would love to have the same for gun ownership--permit, license, insurance, simple ideas to make life "not so complicated".
Also, re: "the mandate issue" that is so upsetting to Mr. Ryan--you buy a car, you are required to have insurance--what is the difference.
Thirdly--would love to have the same for gun ownership--permit, license, insurance, simple ideas to make life "not so complicated".
12
Maybe the GOP could add free cell phones/service with medical apps for the 14 million to the proposal, as yet another option.
5
From the Democratic point of view, there is only one upside to Trumpcare: if it passes in its present form, it will add millions of extra votes to the Dem column in 2018. The biggest obstacle: Trump voters themselves, who would rather stick to magical thinking than the evidence of their own eyes. It's a tribal thing, and even if they are bounced off health insurance, many will still blame Obama, Hillary, or some other convenient scapegoat rather than face the truth. I do believe, however, that eventually the reality of Trumpcare will sink in, and most people will draw the appropriate conclusions: billions of dollars in tax cuts for the wealthy that reduce budget savings severely, at the cost of 24 million people losing health insurance. If that isn't a recipe for Republican electoral disaster, nothing is.
10
One payer system for all... including those in Congress and working for the federal government.
10
Who's going to pay for treatment at the major cancer centers if more people are uninsured or their insurance coverage covers less? What will happen when no one can afford to go to MD Anderson, for example?
6
The idea that we're saving $337 Billion is ludicrous. People will still get sick, the uninsured (and underinsured) will incur expenses they cannot pay, will get health care from E.R.s as emergencies instead of having preventative care or doctor's visits, they're not going enjoy better health, but will more often let things go untreated until they are more serious and more expensive.
These costs will not magically disappear, they will be transferred from the Federal to State and Local governments and to all who have private health insurance. Some will even migrate back to the Federal Government if any of these costs end up being borne by Medicare.
These costs will not magically disappear, they will be transferred from the Federal to State and Local governments and to all who have private health insurance. Some will even migrate back to the Federal Government if any of these costs end up being borne by Medicare.
7
It’s about the subsidies.
The ACA was about making health insurance available to Americans with low incomes. Consequently about 85% of new plans were subsidized. That’s not such a big deal, as the Government subsidizes most health insurance plans through the tax system, in that employees are allowed to deduct insurance premiums before computation of their Federal, State/local and payroll taxes. That’s worth about 50% of the premium cost.
All the GOP had to say they were doing was lowering the subsidies. The income saved would then be passed along to those who no longer have to pay penalties as either employers or individuals and those high income earners no longer subject to the Medicare surcharge tax.
Plans have not changed. It’s just about who is going to pay for them.
The ACA was about making health insurance available to Americans with low incomes. Consequently about 85% of new plans were subsidized. That’s not such a big deal, as the Government subsidizes most health insurance plans through the tax system, in that employees are allowed to deduct insurance premiums before computation of their Federal, State/local and payroll taxes. That’s worth about 50% of the premium cost.
All the GOP had to say they were doing was lowering the subsidies. The income saved would then be passed along to those who no longer have to pay penalties as either employers or individuals and those high income earners no longer subject to the Medicare surcharge tax.
Plans have not changed. It’s just about who is going to pay for them.
Universal health care costs a lot of money. Obamacare was sold as a lie, that everyone could keep their existing plans, and the government would chip in a little money. Instead it wound up reducing health care for those that had paid all their lives to pay for the ones who had not and who now were sick and needed it. That is not insurance.
2
Why is Sean Spicer wearing two different colored shoes?
7
So one side of his mouth can say one thing while the other can say something contradictory. Works for me :)
2
What other costs will arise when 24 million are uninsured? States will foot the bill for those requiring emergency care. Health conditions which are not treated will result in greater costs to Medicare when the person reaches 65. Missed days of work and school will add up in ways we cannot possibly foresee.
*Penny wise and pound foolish.
*Pay now or pay later.
I see only one way to proceed which is single-payer for all and those that can afford to pay for "out-of-network" care have the option to do so. I have Aetna insurance and I can go to a doctor that accepts Aetna, known as in-network, or I can choose to go to a doctor that does not participate with Aetna, know as out-of-network. Aetna will cover a smaller portion of the cost for the out-of-network doctor and I pay the balance out of my pocket.
*Penny wise and pound foolish.
*Pay now or pay later.
I see only one way to proceed which is single-payer for all and those that can afford to pay for "out-of-network" care have the option to do so. I have Aetna insurance and I can go to a doctor that accepts Aetna, known as in-network, or I can choose to go to a doctor that does not participate with Aetna, know as out-of-network. Aetna will cover a smaller portion of the cost for the out-of-network doctor and I pay the balance out of my pocket.
4
The GOP Congress is now the "Death Care" Congress. They only care about enriching the richest of Americans and killing the rest.
You could not make this up. The GOP connects the dots and call it a freedom package. The freedom to die. They don't hear that most Americans have difficulty with insurance premiums, to the point they cannot afford insurance.
Freedom to buy insurance anywhere that you cannot afford so the richest in the country will see a tax benefit. Or you can go to the Emergency, how does that work for cancer or a chronic ailment, and there pay through the ear.
Tom Price, who is called a doctor, a so called doctor, thinks preventative medicine is a waste of money.
The rest of the world would think he should have his license pulled. To be frank he said "defensive medicine" like vaccines, education, counseling, regular checkups are a waste of money, FOR WHO? Better to be told you have high cholesterol than to show up in Emerg with a heart attack.
He has a license to practice? Shameful.
He needs to resign. Shameless spreading of lies in support of this anti-tax bill.
This has nothing to do with health care it is all about taxes and the owners of the GOP.
You could not make this up. The GOP connects the dots and call it a freedom package. The freedom to die. They don't hear that most Americans have difficulty with insurance premiums, to the point they cannot afford insurance.
Freedom to buy insurance anywhere that you cannot afford so the richest in the country will see a tax benefit. Or you can go to the Emergency, how does that work for cancer or a chronic ailment, and there pay through the ear.
Tom Price, who is called a doctor, a so called doctor, thinks preventative medicine is a waste of money.
The rest of the world would think he should have his license pulled. To be frank he said "defensive medicine" like vaccines, education, counseling, regular checkups are a waste of money, FOR WHO? Better to be told you have high cholesterol than to show up in Emerg with a heart attack.
He has a license to practice? Shameful.
He needs to resign. Shameless spreading of lies in support of this anti-tax bill.
This has nothing to do with health care it is all about taxes and the owners of the GOP.
7
Need to acknowledge that the federal savings is accomplished by placing the responsibility of providing care for Medicaid populations entirely back to the states. It is a shift in the cost of care, not an overall savings in the cost of care.
What is the track record for states in providing value- high quality efficient patient centered care with cost effectiveness? Very poor.
What is the track record for states in providing value- high quality efficient patient centered care with cost effectiveness? Very poor.
By dropping mandates and refusing to fix the system in place the radical rightists are dooming any solution even there own. Insurance only works when it is required as it works in the auto insurance world. Give everyone medicaid and let them pay for extras OR fix the current system but what the rightists are floating is garbage and does nothing except line the pockets of the rich even further. They are robbing America further. I choose Obama Cares over Trump Treachery.
5
Somebody in every state should ask their governor to declare a state of emergency until Trump is out of the White House. That's the real treat we are all living under.
I want just one day without a disaster. Is that too much to ask? They are desensitizing us. After a year of this nonsense nothing short of beheading is going to look unusual.
I want just one day without a disaster. Is that too much to ask? They are desensitizing us. After a year of this nonsense nothing short of beheading is going to look unusual.
4
For the most part, I've always been told that the best way to send a message to ones government, is through the ballot box. A lot can happen, though, before the next election. This is drastic, but what happens if the American populace decides not to file their taxes? Probably not a good idea, but it was a thought. It's probably better than riots and insurrection and civil unrest. Just thinking, because the fool in the White House is driving me crazy. Since this fool became president, I've become very scared of my government, and I've been around for seventy years.
4
so, the plan is to afford tax cuts for the richest among us by selling the health protection of 24 million of our poorest for $808,000 a head?
imagine this: you're in high school, walking in a crowded hallway carrying an armload of books. A sneering Paul Ryan sneaks up behind you and knocks your books to the floor, cackling "Fake out!" as he sneaks off into the crowd to join the other bullies near the water fountain.
imagine this: you're in high school, walking in a crowded hallway carrying an armload of books. A sneering Paul Ryan sneaks up behind you and knocks your books to the floor, cackling "Fake out!" as he sneaks off into the crowd to join the other bullies near the water fountain.
2
Sickening! Nothing else to say.
2
NOW is the time for UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE for all MEDICARE FOR ALL.
Strike while its hot decent Americans unite!
Strike while its hot decent Americans unite!
5
The lede of the companion article to this is very misleading. "The Republican health care plan being considered by Congress will significantly increase the number of uninsured people, but save the federal government hundreds of billions of dollars, according to an analysis by the Congressional Budget Office." Bad lede. The federal government is not saving billions of dollars, sillypants. The 3.8 million rich Americans who garner this giant tax cut disquised as health care reform are the only ones saving any money, at the expense of 321,000,000 of us who will be sicker and poorer.
“Under the Republican plan, health insurers would be free to charge older people more, raising that person’s premium to $19,500. But the tax credit would be only $4,900, and that person’s share of the premium would then be $14,600.”
• This is insane. I had to read the above info from this article 3 times. Who in the world can afford a $14,600 premium. People will definitely go without health insurance.
• You can’t make this stuff up. I wonder how the people feel that voted for Trump?
• Can this administration can’t get anything right? I have checked News sites 10 times more than before Trump was elected just to check out what crazy thing Trump has done.
• This is insane. I had to read the above info from this article 3 times. Who in the world can afford a $14,600 premium. People will definitely go without health insurance.
• You can’t make this stuff up. I wonder how the people feel that voted for Trump?
• Can this administration can’t get anything right? I have checked News sites 10 times more than before Trump was elected just to check out what crazy thing Trump has done.
When I saw this same headline on my print copy of my LA Times, my first reaction was to think is was saying, in effect: 24 million people will get sick and die, thanks exclusively to Donald J. Trump.
Somehow we've been successfully conditioned to believe health insurance is the same thing as health assurance.
The headline just as easily could have been interpreted to state: Thanks to Donald Trump 24 health insurance CEO's won't get their yachts by 2026.
Probably a much more dire sounding one, don't you think? That one would really make me mad and give me cause for worry.
Somehow we've been successfully conditioned to believe health insurance is the same thing as health assurance.
The headline just as easily could have been interpreted to state: Thanks to Donald Trump 24 health insurance CEO's won't get their yachts by 2026.
Probably a much more dire sounding one, don't you think? That one would really make me mad and give me cause for worry.
2
This type of con artist shell game has become a daily travesty.
Another republican tea party. The Mad Hatter himself sickening the majority of Americans and world citizens with what he is doing to the United States
Welcome to Mad Hatter's snake oil swamp, brought to you by a minority of gullible Americans and the republicans in the Electoral College
Another republican tea party. The Mad Hatter himself sickening the majority of Americans and world citizens with what he is doing to the United States
Welcome to Mad Hatter's snake oil swamp, brought to you by a minority of gullible Americans and the republicans in the Electoral College
5
What I would like to see are comments from people and only those people who voted for Trump. I am extremely curious how people are responding to this bill across social strata.
6
How does it help this country to have more sick or unhealthy people? Children who don't receive immunizations or dental care? Disabled without access to care that can help them remain independent? Mentally ill who lack the means to stabilize themselves? Workers who can't remain fit and able? Health care is not a giveaway, it's an investment in the strength of our nation.
8
This morning, I turned on MSNBC and heard a tortured explanation from Cong. Adam Kinsinger a Republican from Illinois explaining why auto insurance is required (mandated) and healthcare insurance need not be (freedom of choice). Citizens whose autos were damaged and who were hurt by accidents needed to be protected by insurance. Conversely, people, not being machines, get to decide if they want to purchase health insurance, though they all have the right to be insured. The fact that many can't afford to buy it was not addressed. The premise of insurance is to have a large pool of participants that don't have accidents or in health care, pay premiums, but are healthy. These groups offset the expenses of drivers that cause accidents and humans that become ill.
The Repuplican Party is solely an ideological party, not a governing one. Paul Ryan is giddy with the possibility of axing an entitlement program, the ACA. He said on Fox cable last night, turning back a government run program has never happened. He refuses to grasp the damage this does to actual people, to state budgets, and ultimately to the economy. He believes the generous tax cuts that mainly go to high income earners will bring economic growth. This has been tried in Kansas for 5 or 6 years and it has been a disaster for the state. Ryancare will also be a disaster for actual people, mainly Medicaid participants, and older low wage citizens. The laboratory in the state of Kansas has proven that.
The Repuplican Party is solely an ideological party, not a governing one. Paul Ryan is giddy with the possibility of axing an entitlement program, the ACA. He said on Fox cable last night, turning back a government run program has never happened. He refuses to grasp the damage this does to actual people, to state budgets, and ultimately to the economy. He believes the generous tax cuts that mainly go to high income earners will bring economic growth. This has been tried in Kansas for 5 or 6 years and it has been a disaster for the state. Ryancare will also be a disaster for actual people, mainly Medicaid participants, and older low wage citizens. The laboratory in the state of Kansas has proven that.
8
It isn't that complicated. In an article in The New Yorker (5/11/15), it was noted that a report from the Institute of Medicine (now the National Academy of Medicine) demonstrated that waste accounted for $750B of health-care spending annually. That's $750T (note the "T") over a 10 year budget cycle. That's enough to fix Medicaid for all and a lot of free Teslas for working people.
Everyone, Obama and Trump design laws that are for too complicated and will not work.
Everyone, Obama and Trump design laws that are for too complicated and will not work.
One would think that adding 24 million to the ranks of the uninsured would be enough to send Republican leaders back to the drawing board. Not so!
Paul Ryan obviously feels he can still sell his plan by lying about the benefits of his bill. He says the American Health Care Act (AHCA) increases choice and competition which lowers costs. All three parts of that statement are false.
How will the AHCA increase choice compared to Obamacare when AHCA has to maintain the same benefits covered by Obamacare? It won't. Republicans do not have the votes to change non-financial aspects of Obamacare. The same types of plans will be offered. Republicans do not have the votes to include "selling plans across state lines", which would add more choice - of plans with skinny coverage.
How will the AHCA increase competition? It won't. In fact it will reduce competition. Consumers will no longer be able to use the exchanges of Obamacare to compare all plan offerings on an apples-to-apples basis. They will have to get information displayed differently (or not at all) on the websites of different insurers and try to compare plans.
Non-existent choice and less competition can't result in lower costs. So, why does the CBO conclude that premiums will decrease by 10% after 2 years? Because older people, who have higher costs, will drop coverage. The truthful answer is buried in that 24 million who will become uninsured!
Ryan, Price and Trump continue to lie to sell us a bill of goods.
Paul Ryan obviously feels he can still sell his plan by lying about the benefits of his bill. He says the American Health Care Act (AHCA) increases choice and competition which lowers costs. All three parts of that statement are false.
How will the AHCA increase choice compared to Obamacare when AHCA has to maintain the same benefits covered by Obamacare? It won't. Republicans do not have the votes to change non-financial aspects of Obamacare. The same types of plans will be offered. Republicans do not have the votes to include "selling plans across state lines", which would add more choice - of plans with skinny coverage.
How will the AHCA increase competition? It won't. In fact it will reduce competition. Consumers will no longer be able to use the exchanges of Obamacare to compare all plan offerings on an apples-to-apples basis. They will have to get information displayed differently (or not at all) on the websites of different insurers and try to compare plans.
Non-existent choice and less competition can't result in lower costs. So, why does the CBO conclude that premiums will decrease by 10% after 2 years? Because older people, who have higher costs, will drop coverage. The truthful answer is buried in that 24 million who will become uninsured!
Ryan, Price and Trump continue to lie to sell us a bill of goods.
3
Health care is a human right. In cuba all persons have it since decades. Obama finally gave it to millions, but Trump takes it again away from millions.
2
It's not the GOP. It's not the democrats. It's the fact that WE do not demand enough of OUR elected leaders. It's the fact that WE allowed the Top 1% Global Financial Elite Robber Baron/ Radical Religion Good Old Boys' Party/ Cabal to BUY OUR VOTES with hate-anger-fear-war-LIES, LIES, LIES. It's the fact that enough of us didn't vote. It's the fact that WE allowed SEXISM to destroy the best candidate.
It's the fact that OUR elected supposed "leaders" - and especially the bought-and-paid-for-republican BIG money master operatives - think they to not have to listen to anything but their echo chambers in Washington D.C. and their home states.
The only answer is to make so much noise, and make their lives so uncomfortable, that they get OUT of OUR bedrooms, kitchens and lives.
WE must stop pointing fingers and acting like everything is "normal". Nothing is normal with them in power.
Money is driving everything. Good People get your money off their craps tables - markets - because that is what has caused and is causing worldwide chaos and war. Put your money in local banks and credit unions where you have more control over it. Stop making the Robber Barons even more obscenely wealthy.
And Fight Like Hell to preserve the one thing you value most about democracy in America.
It's the fact that OUR elected supposed "leaders" - and especially the bought-and-paid-for-republican BIG money master operatives - think they to not have to listen to anything but their echo chambers in Washington D.C. and their home states.
The only answer is to make so much noise, and make their lives so uncomfortable, that they get OUT of OUR bedrooms, kitchens and lives.
WE must stop pointing fingers and acting like everything is "normal". Nothing is normal with them in power.
Money is driving everything. Good People get your money off their craps tables - markets - because that is what has caused and is causing worldwide chaos and war. Put your money in local banks and credit unions where you have more control over it. Stop making the Robber Barons even more obscenely wealthy.
And Fight Like Hell to preserve the one thing you value most about democracy in America.
3
The Republican rhetoric on health care, embodied in the vicious mauling of health insurance for the middle and lower class contained in their "fix", reminds me strongly of Edgar Allen Poe's story "The Mask of the Red Death".
In that work, the cream of the nobility runs off to hide in an abbey, the doors to which have been welded shut to keep out the victims of the Red Death plague which is blanketing the land. A masquerade ball is held for their diversion during the inconvenience of their wait, and at the stroke of midnight a new reveler appears to move among the privileged. That reveler is in fact the Red Death itself, and they all die.
Republicans seem to think that they and their preferred few can hole up behind walls of campaign donations, tax cuts for the rich and "Cadillac" health care insurance, far from the cries of the dying, the disabled, the injured and the contagious who cannot afford the "access" that the GOP so cruelly lies that they have. They can wait out the deaths of the expendable poor or old, emerging only to tax and gerrymander the useful, subservient survivors.
They have also cut the research budget at the CDC, so when the next Ebola or antibiotic-resistant TB or Zika or influenza mutation sweeps to our shores the people who have been weakened will succumb more quickly.
Do they not understand that viruses will waft to them, too? That untreated substance abusers will crash into their cars as well as ours? Ask not for whom the bell tolls.....
In that work, the cream of the nobility runs off to hide in an abbey, the doors to which have been welded shut to keep out the victims of the Red Death plague which is blanketing the land. A masquerade ball is held for their diversion during the inconvenience of their wait, and at the stroke of midnight a new reveler appears to move among the privileged. That reveler is in fact the Red Death itself, and they all die.
Republicans seem to think that they and their preferred few can hole up behind walls of campaign donations, tax cuts for the rich and "Cadillac" health care insurance, far from the cries of the dying, the disabled, the injured and the contagious who cannot afford the "access" that the GOP so cruelly lies that they have. They can wait out the deaths of the expendable poor or old, emerging only to tax and gerrymander the useful, subservient survivors.
They have also cut the research budget at the CDC, so when the next Ebola or antibiotic-resistant TB or Zika or influenza mutation sweeps to our shores the people who have been weakened will succumb more quickly.
Do they not understand that viruses will waft to them, too? That untreated substance abusers will crash into their cars as well as ours? Ask not for whom the bell tolls.....
2
This is a farce. It is like many many people were given some apple pie, in fact everybody could have some apple pie. It was expensive, but everybody got some. Some people complained about the pie. They wanted different pie, or cheaper pie, or didn't want any pie and didn't want to pay the fine for not eating pie.
So GOP sees its opportunity, and seizes the opportunity because they want to save money for rich people, for a giant wall and for more defense.
So the GOP says we will give people some money, not equal to the same value...however you can choose your apple pie now! Isn't that great
Now you are talking apples and oranges.
If the GOP had the interests of the common man they would have tweaked the ACA by getting input from experts and continued to grow a sustainable plan admitting that it costs money to deliver health care. There is a lot of waste, overcharging, inefficiency and price gouging in medicine on the part of hospitals and pharmaceuticals. The power of the presidency and government could be brought to bear on this, instead of using power to further diminish the health status of citizens. However that would require cooperation, discussion, thinking and planning, something the parties haven't done for years. I think Mr. Trump would have done this, had it been presented to him.
The basic problem is that we, as a nation still want to think of healthcare as a business and industry, not as a right. This is out of step with other first world countries.
So GOP sees its opportunity, and seizes the opportunity because they want to save money for rich people, for a giant wall and for more defense.
So the GOP says we will give people some money, not equal to the same value...however you can choose your apple pie now! Isn't that great
Now you are talking apples and oranges.
If the GOP had the interests of the common man they would have tweaked the ACA by getting input from experts and continued to grow a sustainable plan admitting that it costs money to deliver health care. There is a lot of waste, overcharging, inefficiency and price gouging in medicine on the part of hospitals and pharmaceuticals. The power of the presidency and government could be brought to bear on this, instead of using power to further diminish the health status of citizens. However that would require cooperation, discussion, thinking and planning, something the parties haven't done for years. I think Mr. Trump would have done this, had it been presented to him.
The basic problem is that we, as a nation still want to think of healthcare as a business and industry, not as a right. This is out of step with other first world countries.
2
When Trump talked about American Carnage, I guess he was talking about the future Carnage that he is going to bring to the people. At least make end of life pills over the counter to give even more "choices" to the people.
3
So they save $337 billion in healthcare costs, thereby reducing health insurance coverage for 24 million people? I guess they have found their savings to fund their additional military expenditure.
2
I'd love to buy an RS 5 Audi ....I just can't afford it...
It would be helpful if the Times and other papers would not suggest in their headline that budget cuts "save" X billions of dollars. They do not save any money; they simply divert those costs to others--state taxpayers, health can providers, employers that provide health insurance, and the people who need health care. Actual health care savings come from putting preventive care into place, which the ACA attempted to do but the Republican bill largely threatens.
So now we know that Paul Ryan, 'devout' catholic, feels this price of a life is just right: $600 billion saved taxes + $337 billion saved deficit divided by 24 million lives = $39,000/life over 10 years, or $3,900/life each year. Seems kind of low to me.
3
Well, Obama and his team EXCLUDED the 'illegal' aliens from the count of uninsured, and the best estimate of how many people were insured under ACA since launch in 2015 is 22mn and the lowest is 14mn.
So, if only 14-22mn were insured under Obamacare, how is it that 24mn will choose to be uninsured under CBO estimate? Does the CBO estimate include the illegal aliens which the Obama administration excluded because they were ineligible for coverage? If yes, we are not comparing apples to apples.
Republicans are concerned about not breaking the bank, and the projected savings of $337bn is good news. The story about 24mn uninsured is what Trump would call #FAKENEWS
So, if only 14-22mn were insured under Obamacare, how is it that 24mn will choose to be uninsured under CBO estimate? Does the CBO estimate include the illegal aliens which the Obama administration excluded because they were ineligible for coverage? If yes, we are not comparing apples to apples.
Republicans are concerned about not breaking the bank, and the projected savings of $337bn is good news. The story about 24mn uninsured is what Trump would call #FAKENEWS
Please don't forget Obama's real accomplishment here. The Republicans have never, and will never, care about the healthcare of Americans. Obama made it so that Republicans had to stop acting like that wasn't the case. Now, it's in everybody's face. Republicans have no interest in helping people who can't help themselves, regardless of the reason, and now they have no choice but to wear it as a badge. Ugly.
8
$337 Billion is chip change for the USA. The WH shouldn't sacrifice 24 million lives for this.
4
With DT earning a Politifact rating of 70% mostly and totally false statements, I am at a loss as to why anyone with half a mind would believe anything he says.
4
This would save no money because trips to the ER, picked up by others, would skyrocket. Once again the forked Republican tongue.
2
has anyone commented on the fact that Spencer seems to have some kind of cast on his right leg in the picture.
seems medical emergencies can occur even to the high and mighty.
no casts for the poor however - let them hobble
seems medical emergencies can occur even to the high and mighty.
no casts for the poor however - let them hobble
4
"Hey! I thought he was just going to hurt brown people. That's why I voted for the first time in my lazy, ignorant, and hate-filled life."
- average Trump voter.
- average Trump voter.
8
Could the Times do an in depth analysis of the savings? Does the CBO take into account the extra costs that hospitals, etc. will have when treating the uninsured? Are most of the savings coming from freezing the block grants for medicaid? Are there any ideas other than the "free" market for controlling the cost of healthcare? How does the new plan differ from what existed prior the the ACA?
2
Just what did you expect from republicans?
Now lets get on with the Russiagate matter and do the world some good!
Now lets get on with the Russiagate matter and do the world some good!
The greedy, incompetent and selectively ignorant government kills women and children everyday for oil and perceived power across the planet so killing us with health care seems reasonable to these soulless ignoramuses. The 0.01% controlling the planet are hoarding cash as the sixth mass extinction is in full swing. [Thanks Rexxon.] The truth is there will be no money for anyone or anything, health care, infrastructure, clean water, education or people as we are all facing various levels of geographic extermination.
2
The most important take away from the plan to repeal and replace the ACA is the restoration of the American people’s right to choose to purchase healthcare insurance or not to purchase healthcare insurance. That’s what’s it’s all about – the right to choose, the right to a choice, the right to decide for one’s own self what is best. Thank you.
2
Southern Boy,
You do realize that when someone decides not to purchase health insurance and then needs medical care that you and the rest of the tax payers pay the cost for them. So long as you're okay with paying for those who don't, you're comment is spot-on.
You do realize that when someone decides not to purchase health insurance and then needs medical care that you and the rest of the tax payers pay the cost for them. So long as you're okay with paying for those who don't, you're comment is spot-on.
8
Yes, people can choose to go without health care or to be impoverished by illness! Let freedom ring!
How is it a choice when you need insurance., and cannot afford it ? Were is their right to choose? No empathy, no surprise.
4
Very bothersome that the headlines and analysis emphasize numbers of people with "insurance" under the ACA with the numbers with "insurance" under Trump/Ryan-Care, but only deep in the details mention that the "insurance" coverages under the two plans are vastly different. Insurance that doesn't cover anything and has massive consumer costs isn't useful.
1
What a farce. How is it a Country that puts "God" on its money can rob in outright daylight-legislation no less.
3
Repubs response to the CBO report is to quibble over how many millions will be unable to afford health care. I think we can all agree it will be somewhere in the millions. And soon those millions will have faces and stories to tell. It's not going to be pretty.
They've obviated the need for death-panels with this bill: if you are old and sick, you will die: no panels necessary. Is that a "savings" too?
Unbelievable that a country like the USA does not provide basic healthcare ... almost every other modern western economy provides for its citizens. What is it that is sick in the relationship between government, business and institutions that America doesn't provide social services ... is it too much like "communism" ... Cuba is not alone in providing national health care nor is South Africa among many other civilized societies. Those that can afford private health care still have that choice.
9
What do you get when the President and the majority of his administration are billionaires? Policies that benefit billionaires.
To every hardworking middle class American out there...you've been Trumped!
To every hardworking middle class American out there...you've been Trumped!
We could also save hundreds of billions by using our defense funds in a smarter fashion AND we could continue helping our own people obtain health insurance and care. Look what the GOP wants to do...cut insurance first.
5
Let me get this straight. If we remove 24 million out of insurance we will save $337 Billion.
Ok, how about this instead. Loss of productivity plus out of pocket cost of 24 million insures impacts the economy -$20,000 per uninsured. That is $480 billion per year or $4.8 Trillion over 10 years.
Please someone tell me how that makes sense for the people of this country?
Ok, how about this instead. Loss of productivity plus out of pocket cost of 24 million insures impacts the economy -$20,000 per uninsured. That is $480 billion per year or $4.8 Trillion over 10 years.
Please someone tell me how that makes sense for the people of this country?
11
What is missing from this article is not how many will loose insurance but how many we will see on social media dying from lack of care. Before Obamacare the poor died without so many hearing about their situation. They finally get a break to be part of the system they did not have access too by signing up on Obamacare. With this plan, they are back to dying without anyone knowing. This bill is inhumane and criminal. We don't allow hospitals to refuse care for someone who cannot pay yet the Empire (Republicans) will refuse these people and more seniors care so that only the people they select should prosper and live. A "natural selection" definition by the Empire.
5
I'm concerned about this statement:"Tom Price, the secretary of health and human services, suggested the report offered an incomplete picture because it did not take into account regulatory steps he intends to take, as well as other legislation that Republicans plan as part of their multistep strategy to repeal and replace the health law."
Does Tom Price not know that the CBO can't read minds? A CBO analysis can only consider how a bill changes the status quo. If these steps he intends to take are relevant to the issue, then he should speak up and explain those steps. And Congress should present the whole plan. And then the CBO would have more information for analysis.
Does Tom Price not know that the CBO can't read minds? A CBO analysis can only consider how a bill changes the status quo. If these steps he intends to take are relevant to the issue, then he should speak up and explain those steps. And Congress should present the whole plan. And then the CBO would have more information for analysis.
7
Even sane Democrats recognize that Obamacare is an unsustainable Goldbergian contraption. No less than Bill Clinton has declared it "the craziest thing in the world." The CBO didn't score how many people will lose insurance and access to healthcare when it finally implodes.
Stop playing politics and fix it.
Stop playing politics and fix it.
A healthier population is better for the economy. Living people spend more than dead people. While it is true that American health care services tend to be overpriced compared to similar services in equally developed societies, it is also true that health care spending keeps the economy humming. As such, the government should be proud of the money it spends helping Americans live longer, healthier more productive lives. It should recognize this as an important investment. Put your focus into education, instead, so that more young people graduate with the entrepreneurial spirit and vision necessary to achieve higher incomes more quickly. Also, encourage the financial sector to come up with better credit models that will allow more qualified young people with good educations and skills to get better financial solutions earlier in their lives, when a loan -- or lower interest rates and better repayment options -- can help them start or grow their own business better. The trouble with the GOP is that they only serve a narrow clique; the trouble with Trump is that he only actually serves one family: his own.
18
So, wait a minute. Am I hearing this correctly? Price openly says, this bill is "an incomplete picture of a multistep strategy"? IF that is the case, it is no bill at all! This is priceless (pun intended): the perfect metaphor for this administration!
6
Our government spends alot of money on data collection and examination...from science investments to census studies. The lying Republicans now choose to ignore the office that Congress created to review any bill to assess its financial impact on our society. How in the world can Price/Trump choose to dismiss the data just because it does not support their position? This is another example of corrupt manipulation; not leadership. Their constant attempts to cover up their failure to lead with blatantly false statements used to cover the tracts of their untenable promises, spiked with the use of malicious blurbs and tweets to curry favor with their so-called base, is a house of cards that will tumble from the force of their very own blowhard wind....
3
RyanTrump Death Plan: Let's just call it what it is!
6
More deceptive headlines from what once was an honest paper,,,,,22 million includes at least 7 million expected to drop Obama care as it is. Also many now being forged to buy insurance because of the mandates will refuse Obama cares bad rates. If anyone voted for Hillary in the primary they also voted to leave many uncovered. If universal coverage is important to the NYT when did you fellows endorse wall street Hill instaed on Sanders who like Trump says what he mean.
What happened to Spicer's foot? (See photo.) Hope his health care covered his trip to the doctor.
5
He damaged it after repeatedly sticking it into his mouth.
3
stuck it in his mouth again
3
What we have here is a national health care plan that's been cobbled, rigged, proposed and imposed--by deceitful, coldly calculating, oppressive, self- and power-obsessed individuals, who are willing to harm others, who seem incapable of remorse. That qualifies as mental illness. The bitter irony! Dis-ease of the mind causes disease in the body, and the Republican virus now weakens the checks and balances of our civil immune system, of our sanity. It took years or decades, since the Reign of Demigod Reagan, for the affliction to become pervasive, for the party's brain to reveal a structural disorder that compels this pathology. The disease of this Republican Collective--excepting several who may not be quite as fang-baring balmy as their fellow drones--is seen in their deviant compulsion to subvert, squash and steal, to eviscerate the adversary, to advocate self-dealing policies as public deliverance, to HIDE among words they KNOW to be un-true, to rationalize themselves into the downgrade of others the better to enhance their own agenda. I'm no psychiatrist, but in layman's terms, this seems uncomfortably close to the deeds of a sociopath. Trump Ryan LLC are the chief manifestations of an id that really needs therapy and intervention.
6
I keep hearing from conservatives about their right not to be forced to buy insurance if they in exercising personal freedom decide not to. Ok, but what about my right not to underwrite their irresponsibility by having my bill vastly inflated ($40 for an aspirin in the hospital, e.g.) to pay for their emergency room and further care when they inevitably need it -- and which the law says must be provided to them? What about MY personal freedom when I'm the one whose been responsible?
17
Just like all those out of work coal miners who chose to be out of work.
4
Let no catastrophe go wasted. Almost half the country voted for trump and this type of health care "reform" Let them have it, see how they like it, and then maybe we can move the electorate on to a real national health insurance program, instead of the half loaf we got with obamacare. We will have it someday, that's evolution. This bill may be just the disaster we need
4
No we can't let millions suffer in the interim. I'm for single-payor too.
But that's how we do major reform in this country. The depression got us social security in 1935. The 911 airplane hijackings in 2001 got us TSA and locked cockpit doors. The near financial meltdown of 2007 got us Dodd-Frank in 2010, an attempt to increase Wall Street regulation . All these catastrophes were generally predictable beforehand
Why can't the younger citizens on Medicaid pay SOMETHING towards their free health care?
Just because they work at a lower paying job doesn't mean free health insurance paid for by the rest of us.
They buy new phones, smoke cigarettes, etc.
Medicaid should have some type of premiums taken from their paycheck like the rest of us.
Now not for the truly disabled or elderly but even 15$ a week and $2 per prescription puts some money back in.
Bums who just don't want to work?? They DO NOT deserve free health care. But they can sign up for Medicaid and get it which means totally free health care, minus dentists and vision. They can have free surgeries and run to the ER every time they have a sniffle. Kick them out of the system.
Even those who work with kids could pay a very small office visit and prescription costs. Many pay a monthly cable bill, can have a new car payment yet go get free health insurance and food stamps??
Time they pay something into the system or if you can afford a nice car you don't need free Medicaid or food stamps.
Your vehicle is not checked when signing up for Medicaid or food stamps, drive a Mercedes but say you have low income, still get Medicaid and food stamps!
Many of us work hard and are tired of the true freeloaders.
I might add I do not think it's right all refugees receive Medicaid say one while millions of citizens don't have any insurance or have such a high deductible it's useless.
Just because they work at a lower paying job doesn't mean free health insurance paid for by the rest of us.
They buy new phones, smoke cigarettes, etc.
Medicaid should have some type of premiums taken from their paycheck like the rest of us.
Now not for the truly disabled or elderly but even 15$ a week and $2 per prescription puts some money back in.
Bums who just don't want to work?? They DO NOT deserve free health care. But they can sign up for Medicaid and get it which means totally free health care, minus dentists and vision. They can have free surgeries and run to the ER every time they have a sniffle. Kick them out of the system.
Even those who work with kids could pay a very small office visit and prescription costs. Many pay a monthly cable bill, can have a new car payment yet go get free health insurance and food stamps??
Time they pay something into the system or if you can afford a nice car you don't need free Medicaid or food stamps.
Your vehicle is not checked when signing up for Medicaid or food stamps, drive a Mercedes but say you have low income, still get Medicaid and food stamps!
Many of us work hard and are tired of the true freeloaders.
I might add I do not think it's right all refugees receive Medicaid say one while millions of citizens don't have any insurance or have such a high deductible it's useless.
1
I was waiting for the dog-whistle of 'young bucks buying steaks' surprised you didn't say that! The truth is, you should be mad at the very rich. The republicans plan gives $275 BILLION in tax breaks to them, 7 million dollars annually to them. Do you think that is fair?!
1
Many star run health care programs for children in families with incomes over the Medicaid limits DO charge a small monthly fee and small co-pays for doctor's offices and prescriptions.
I dare say many, many families would love the chance to pay, say, $100 a month for affordable healthcare for their family. Private insurance is simply outrageously expensive.
I dare say many, many families would love the chance to pay, say, $100 a month for affordable healthcare for their family. Private insurance is simply outrageously expensive.
The CBO scoring on the GOP healthcare act is a long shot at best over a 10 year timeframe. Its value is in giving some best available ideas of the impacts of its provisions. It is by no means a crystal ball.
The House has presented an all-or-nothing product on a timeline that is driven by one thing only — their stridently and expeditiously taking down the ACA.
What is not being talked about are things like depth of coverage and quality of care, or the degraded life prospects of those with pressing healthcare needs who will be shunted into the ranks of the uncovered and uninsured.
People squeezed out of Medicaid will have few if any alternatives., a truly bleak prospect.
Little in the Republican bill addresses the burgeoning costs of not just insurance, but of the cost of actual care. Over time this generally highly inflationary dynamic will drive up less regulated insurance costs despite political assurances about the supposed affects of a broader and more competitive healthcare insurance market place.
The President and the GOP continue to loudly play the mantra about the collapse of the ACA as though it were at the very edge of catastrophic implosion, it is not. The urgency they extoll is not apparent. A genuine reform effort is one thing, a headlong rush to perdition is another altogether.
The House has presented an all-or-nothing product on a timeline that is driven by one thing only — their stridently and expeditiously taking down the ACA.
What is not being talked about are things like depth of coverage and quality of care, or the degraded life prospects of those with pressing healthcare needs who will be shunted into the ranks of the uncovered and uninsured.
People squeezed out of Medicaid will have few if any alternatives., a truly bleak prospect.
Little in the Republican bill addresses the burgeoning costs of not just insurance, but of the cost of actual care. Over time this generally highly inflationary dynamic will drive up less regulated insurance costs despite political assurances about the supposed affects of a broader and more competitive healthcare insurance market place.
The President and the GOP continue to loudly play the mantra about the collapse of the ACA as though it were at the very edge of catastrophic implosion, it is not. The urgency they extoll is not apparent. A genuine reform effort is one thing, a headlong rush to perdition is another altogether.
Going to the emergency room may save many lives, but problems which had been unattended for a long time often cannot be fixed. Many more will die with this health plan.
4
Well, the wolves of wall street concocted a great replacement for all those they convinced "we have your backs". They ought to be ashamed of themselves. Especially Ryan.
4
With appreciation to Garry Trudeau for reprinting this bunch of Trump nonsense from the campaign: "I am going to take care of everybody...much better than they're being taken care of now...The government's going to pay for it...People are going to be able to go out and negotiate great plans with lots of different competition, with lots of companies, with great companies. And they can have their doctors, they can have their plans, they can have everything."
Why anyone ever believed a thing he said is absolutely beyond me.
Why anyone ever believed a thing he said is absolutely beyond me.
8
24 million people, in our country, WILL lose their health care, and thousands will die, every year, because of this.
3
how many will be members of Trump's country clubs, that's the important question.
But "President" Trump said "nobody" would lose health insurance in his plan??
5
To all the GOP leaders that say this is a good deal and will take care of our health care needs let these same leaders lead by example and give up their stellar health care coverage and join the ranks of the people that will now be in a very precarious situation. They won't, of course, because the GOP leadership, starting with our President, are spineless cowards that only care about their cronies and their selfish interests. They don't give a damn about anyone else. I have never seen a group of individuals that are so ignorant, biased, arrogant and elitist. They are everything America is not.
10
The CBO has been praised in years past for trying to be impartial and objective in costing out legislative proposals.
Trump has made it OK to criticize and make fun of governmental institutions that are trying to provide a service to the people of this country. Trump feeds on the cynicism and the anger at the Federal Government even if many of our civil servants try every day to do the right thing.
Our descent and it is a descent into the legalization and corruption of the truth by Trump is a manifestation of our economic and social insecurity about the changes that are taking place both within this country and globally.The GOP has made a deal with the devil and they know it.
Along the same lines, Congressman King's Nazi-like description of what is happening in this country, harks back to the narrative Goebbels created around the Jews. Unfortunately, in these times anything can be peddled and tolerated. His party hesitated and then gave a lukewarm condemnation of his version of social darwinism for caucasians. Just like they did when Trump was spouting his birther lies.
When part of this country looks in the mirror they see a version of themselves that existed a generation ago. Unfortunately, that is gone and never to return but no one wants to believe it. Trump has fed off of it and will continue to demogogue it until it actually impact people's lives.
Sheep are easily led unfortunately.
Trump has made it OK to criticize and make fun of governmental institutions that are trying to provide a service to the people of this country. Trump feeds on the cynicism and the anger at the Federal Government even if many of our civil servants try every day to do the right thing.
Our descent and it is a descent into the legalization and corruption of the truth by Trump is a manifestation of our economic and social insecurity about the changes that are taking place both within this country and globally.The GOP has made a deal with the devil and they know it.
Along the same lines, Congressman King's Nazi-like description of what is happening in this country, harks back to the narrative Goebbels created around the Jews. Unfortunately, in these times anything can be peddled and tolerated. His party hesitated and then gave a lukewarm condemnation of his version of social darwinism for caucasians. Just like they did when Trump was spouting his birther lies.
When part of this country looks in the mirror they see a version of themselves that existed a generation ago. Unfortunately, that is gone and never to return but no one wants to believe it. Trump has fed off of it and will continue to demogogue it until it actually impact people's lives.
Sheep are easily led unfortunately.
4
Not quite selling your soul to the devil, but close. We are adding 24 million uninsured to save $100 per person per year in the US. Or, if we assume the cost would be born by the top 20% in income and their families $10 per week per person. Is that all the value we place on healthcare?
Of course, we could save that much and more by a single payer, such as Medicare for all.
Of course, we could save that much and more by a single payer, such as Medicare for all.
6
Let's get the math right:
$337B over 10 years and 26M uninsured. That means if we spend $337B over 10 years in subsidies we insure 26M people. That's really cheap subsidy insurance.
$337B over 10 years is the same as $33.7B per year.
$33.7B per year insures 26M, which is the same as about $1,300 per person per year.
So the average government subsidy for health insurance is just over $100/month for every uninsured American.
The trade-off of preventing 26M people to lose health insurance is a savings of $100/month.
$337B over 10 years and 26M uninsured. That means if we spend $337B over 10 years in subsidies we insure 26M people. That's really cheap subsidy insurance.
$337B over 10 years is the same as $33.7B per year.
$33.7B per year insures 26M, which is the same as about $1,300 per person per year.
So the average government subsidy for health insurance is just over $100/month for every uninsured American.
The trade-off of preventing 26M people to lose health insurance is a savings of $100/month.
8
Ryan and Trump's response to the health needs of the American poor are remarkably similar to that of the British government to the Irish potato famine of the 19th century. There are so many ways to make people suffer. The Republicans have hit on a dandy!
7
All you complainers just don't understand how hard it is to be rich.
14
Yes, but, the Republicans are doing their best to make sure it gets easier every day.
It's the cost of health care not the acalblity of health insurance that is the problem. This is all just a smoke and mirror game. The co-pay cost more then the doctor visit of twenty years ago. The deductible for many is all of ones disposable income.
My daughter went to the hospital because she fell and hit her head. She was there for less then two hours. They looked at her and charged 11000.00. The hospital put together two bills for the one visit so I had two co-pay. 4500 bucks in co-pay. The co-pay cost should be the cost of the treatment. Health care is a scam. Until that is fixed the number of insured doesn't matter.
My daughter went to the hospital because she fell and hit her head. She was there for less then two hours. They looked at her and charged 11000.00. The hospital put together two bills for the one visit so I had two co-pay. 4500 bucks in co-pay. The co-pay cost should be the cost of the treatment. Health care is a scam. Until that is fixed the number of insured doesn't matter.
3
Anti-Trump forces should not see the tumult over Ryancare as a threat to the bill's passage. Trump's Troops are already spewing out alt-facts (the REAL fake news). Besides, in the final analysis, do you think this Republican Party is going to vote to do the right thing or to keep the party in power?
2
What this actually means is 24 million visiting the local ER. There is no money saving here. ER medical care costs more -- especially in cities like NY. There may be more hospitals closing. Not a good move.
5
Mr. Ryan wants to give Americans "choice." Well, no one chooses to get sick.
3
How many jobs is this gonna cost us?
The doctor who removed my brother's diseased colon three years ago was headed to Ohio to start up THREE hospitals because FINALLY hospitals are for emergencies and general surgeries, not clinics for the indigent. Will those hospitals remain open? People need healthcare. Our population is aging. This is where the jobs are, but Trump wants to give us coal?
I've taken my lumps; enough of this pain control mechanism. If the GOP won't feel us, we will prick their balloon in 2018.
The doctor who removed my brother's diseased colon three years ago was headed to Ohio to start up THREE hospitals because FINALLY hospitals are for emergencies and general surgeries, not clinics for the indigent. Will those hospitals remain open? People need healthcare. Our population is aging. This is where the jobs are, but Trump wants to give us coal?
I've taken my lumps; enough of this pain control mechanism. If the GOP won't feel us, we will prick their balloon in 2018.
But...but....
trump said repeatedly on the campaign trail that that HE was going to protect Medicare and Medicaid....and that 'everyone would have health care'....
Trump = Liar
#SAD
trump said repeatedly on the campaign trail that that HE was going to protect Medicare and Medicaid....and that 'everyone would have health care'....
Trump = Liar
#SAD
Please change the misleading headline: "...but Save 337 billion $."
This bill would "save" Billions of $ for the Federal Government but it would add the same amount to State Budgets and to Co-Pays for the sick and injured.
A better headline might read " Bill Also Transfers 337 Billion $ In Costs to States and Patients."
This bill helps only those Americans who don't need help.
This bill would "save" Billions of $ for the Federal Government but it would add the same amount to State Budgets and to Co-Pays for the sick and injured.
A better headline might read " Bill Also Transfers 337 Billion $ In Costs to States and Patients."
This bill helps only those Americans who don't need help.
10
Absolutely. This doesn't mean people won't show up at the emergency room. They should also estimate the impact on hospitals and which might be vulnerable to closing.
1
Good point, an excellent example of secondary or tertiary impacts which are terribly important and often overlooked. In this case these impacts are as critical as the primary ones.
1
Paul Ryan is trying to claim now that the Obamacare mandate forced people to NOT buy insurance because nobody likes to do what we're told we have to do.
So he and Price are spinning what the CBO and others see as a decrease of 20 million or so insured and claiming that to the contrary MORE people will buy insurance with their more expensive plan because they won't be forced to buy it.
Yep. They think we're all a bunch of tweenagers.
So he and Price are spinning what the CBO and others see as a decrease of 20 million or so insured and claiming that to the contrary MORE people will buy insurance with their more expensive plan because they won't be forced to buy it.
Yep. They think we're all a bunch of tweenagers.
5
We are hearing the, all too usual, republican gobbledygook about this.
Fake news and gobbledygook ! this is the pathetic hallmark of the White House and the republicans who are dragging us into the Trump swamp.
Resist the lying con artist and his lying con men. They look you right in the eye and deny stealing from you, even as they are picking your pockets.
Fake news and gobbledygook ! this is the pathetic hallmark of the White House and the republicans who are dragging us into the Trump swamp.
Resist the lying con artist and his lying con men. They look you right in the eye and deny stealing from you, even as they are picking your pockets.
3
Republicans have been so completely brainwashed into buying this notion that government can do nothing good, and yet continue to chant their "small government" mantra since the days of Ronnie Raygun you'd think they would wise up by now. Instead they have only gotten worse. They've dug in, so wedded to their unflinching belief in Supply Side Voodoo Reaganomics they can't retreat on this failed idea. They just keep doubling down despite no proof it works, in fact, it does just the opposite. Take a look at the problems shrinking government now burdening Kansas. They have gotten to the point where they can cut no more but still keep trying, even though their state's Supreme Court has declared any further cuts to services harmful. Can you imagine such idiocy? If not, then take a good look at Kansas. We're not yet in Kansas nationally but it sure looks at though Ryan and his Republican gang of fiscal conservatives wish to take US there.
DD
Manhattan
DD
Manhattan
3
The premium's rates increasing by 15-20% for those buying their own insurance should be highlighted more as these where not the people expected to be hit by Trumpcare. This is a terrible plan for the poor, disenfranchised, and many in the middle class and self employed.
5
Prior to its introduction, the Republicans 'complained' that the ACA would set up death panels for older people. It's apparent with the increase in premiums for older and poorer people that Trumpcare will truly have the effect of being a death-care.
13
"Health Bill Would Add 24 Million Uninsured but Save $337 Billion."
Actually it saves $937 Billion with $600 Billion going to Billionaires and only $337 Billion going to nick a tiny fraction off the debt.
For Republicans, 24 million uninsured American Citizens - priceless.
Actually it saves $937 Billion with $600 Billion going to Billionaires and only $337 Billion going to nick a tiny fraction off the debt.
For Republicans, 24 million uninsured American Citizens - priceless.
The only country in the developed world where health care is viewed as a necessary evil which the government tries to weazle out of funding.
6
I'd like to ask Paul Ryan what he has against the poor, the middle class and the elderly. He claims this will save money. Money for who or what? The wealthy and the Pentagon?
9
"Republican leaders tried to focus on the positive news in the budget office’s analysis."
Yes--Health insurance for the rich!
Again the rich get tax breaks. When will it be enough? it is clearer and clearer that Republicans do not care about American Citizens.
They do care about how much money they can get for their next election.
Health Care is a RIGHT, not an option.
Yes--Health insurance for the rich!
Again the rich get tax breaks. When will it be enough? it is clearer and clearer that Republicans do not care about American Citizens.
They do care about how much money they can get for their next election.
Health Care is a RIGHT, not an option.
8
"[Paul Ryan] said the goal of Republicans was not “to win some coverage beauty contest” or “to show a pretty piece of paper that says we’re mandating great things for Americans” with their health bill."
No "great things"? I thought Trump wanted to make America Great Again.
And "beauty" is one of the President's very favorite words -- to wit: "Mr. Trump predicted that if the Republican plan is enacted, “you’ll see rates go down, down, down, and you’ll see plans go up, up, up.” He said it would be “a thing of beauty.”
As usual, of course, Trump's language is utterly vacuous. He knows nothing about how to enact health care, and didn't know anything when he gave his grand promises prior to the election.
The most galling note of all is that this malicious act called TrumpCare is being sold under the banner of "freedom."
No "great things"? I thought Trump wanted to make America Great Again.
And "beauty" is one of the President's very favorite words -- to wit: "Mr. Trump predicted that if the Republican plan is enacted, “you’ll see rates go down, down, down, and you’ll see plans go up, up, up.” He said it would be “a thing of beauty.”
As usual, of course, Trump's language is utterly vacuous. He knows nothing about how to enact health care, and didn't know anything when he gave his grand promises prior to the election.
The most galling note of all is that this malicious act called TrumpCare is being sold under the banner of "freedom."
11
"Under the Republican plan, the premium for a typical low-income 64-year-old, AFTER subsidies, would jump to $14,600 a year, from $1,700 a year......"
"Trumpcare to increase premiums on older low income adults by as much as 860%" should be the headline here.
"Trumpcare to increase premiums on older low income adults by as much as 860%" should be the headline here.
5
Ah. The poor? The elderly? "Let them eat cake."
12
Ha ha ha. They already eat cake. And donuts and Whoppers and fries and mashed potatoes and chips and dip and pizza with ranch dressing. America is fat, really fat, so after a lifetime of horrible health choices, we need state-of-the-art healthcare to fix our bloated bodies.
OK. I have the freedom to choose! I can freely choose whether I want to buy a new Bentley or a new Rolls-Royce! But, unfortunately, I'm a retiree, living on Social Security and little else, so I guess the ten-year-old Saturn will just have to soldier on a bit longer.
11
Mulvaney's comment in the article about the CBO getting the number of insured wrong on Obamacare and that their numbers shouldn't be trusted now is typical chicanery. The CBO based their projections on Medicaid expansion in all 50 states as the bill intended. The Supreme Court eventually undid that after the fact so that states –all Republican–could opt out lowering the number of insured.
14
Saving $337B = Numerous preventable illnesses and deaths... looks like a fair trade.
6
Fair trade, Shanan?
The fact is, trump is giving that 337 BILLION to his Rich Friends and Donors.
trump's real motto? "Little People be Damned"
The fact is, trump is giving that 337 BILLION to his Rich Friends and Donors.
trump's real motto? "Little People be Damned"
4
The folks in West Virginia are wondering what happened to Trump's promises. The new plan even effects the coverage of black lung.
With friends like Trump one does not need enemies.
With friends like Trump one does not need enemies.
9
As long as the Republican Party prattles the right social value words, voters will vote against their interests and elect Republicans. Then they'll claim to be surprised when they lose their health care.
5
Wow, "said Ryan" if we go back to killing 40,000 Americans a year we can save money to spend making rich people richer?
On the one hand we have actual American citizens health at stake and on the other we have CASH! Which to choose, which to choose......
We pick the CASH over "average" people every time !!
Here's why: http://joethevoter.org/index.php/gop-insider-spills-the-beans
On the one hand we have actual American citizens health at stake and on the other we have CASH! Which to choose, which to choose......
We pick the CASH over "average" people every time !!
Here's why: http://joethevoter.org/index.php/gop-insider-spills-the-beans
7
Yes, but the 40,000 dead Americans are all poor, so that is how we make America Great Again.
5
The Whitehouse is asking people to "Share Your Obamacare Disaster Story." The White House is always asking people to tell Donald Trump what he wants to hear.
I believe in telling Donald Trump what you want to say. If you have an Obamacare disaster story, by all means share it. If you have different Obamacare story, I hope you will share that. If you have something else to say about health insurance, I hope you will say that.
Here's a link to the web page provided by the White House:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/obamacare-share-your-story
I believe in telling Donald Trump what you want to say. If you have an Obamacare disaster story, by all means share it. If you have different Obamacare story, I hope you will share that. If you have something else to say about health insurance, I hope you will say that.
Here's a link to the web page provided by the White House:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/obamacare-share-your-story
4
agreed. Both my husband and I shared our SUCCESS story which I am sure will not see the light of day.
5
Health insurance for those older would be totally unaffordable. It's already too high for those who are not eligible for a hefty government subsidy.
Why not take away the health insurance of every American, including those currently receiving employer insurance. Also, those in Congress should not have insurance either.
If you want to hurt people, hurt all of them, not just those that will be affected the most.
"Everyone will have insurance". This is what President Trump said. Another big, fat lie.
Why not take away the health insurance of every American, including those currently receiving employer insurance. Also, those in Congress should not have insurance either.
If you want to hurt people, hurt all of them, not just those that will be affected the most.
"Everyone will have insurance". This is what President Trump said. Another big, fat lie.
5
Older people are the ones who voted for Trump. Isn't it ironic, don't you think?
2
$337 Billion sounds like a lot, but it's over 10 years, and works out to $33.7 Billion per year.
$33.7 Billion a year is over $20 Billion LESS than the $54 Billion INCREASE the so-called president wants to shower the world's most expensive military with.
Republicans want to do a lot LESS for Americans in order to do a lot MORE to foreigners.
$33.7 Billion a year is over $20 Billion LESS than the $54 Billion INCREASE the so-called president wants to shower the world's most expensive military with.
Republicans want to do a lot LESS for Americans in order to do a lot MORE to foreigners.
6
Republican Health Care Choices "pick the plan you want":
Don't get sick.
Don't get old.
Don't get poor.
Don't get sick.
Don't get old.
Don't get poor.
9
$337 B saved on the GOP Wealth Care Plan doesn't even come close to paying for the $540 B increase (10 X $54 B--DJT's 2017 budget request, not including inflation) in defense spending.
What good does it do to have more guns when you're six feet underground? THIS is what Trump's supporters voted for?
What good does it do to have more guns when you're six feet underground? THIS is what Trump's supporters voted for?
8
Sounds like Palin's death panels are coming to a state near you.
9
Remember when Sarah Palin in days of yo talked about 'death panels and not taking care of the sick?
Well, it looks like we are entering that phase in new America.
And everything that Trump told his supporters, I can only hope his supporters will realize that they are included in those cuts. BIGLY.
Another thought that comes to mind, how much of those savings will go into the Trump Enterprises.
Well, it looks like we are entering that phase in new America.
And everything that Trump told his supporters, I can only hope his supporters will realize that they are included in those cuts. BIGLY.
Another thought that comes to mind, how much of those savings will go into the Trump Enterprises.
4
As if kicking 20+ million off insurance wasn't inefficient and shameful enough, the return to ER-based medical care exposes the lie of "saving money." Add to that the slick packaging that makes it seem as though all plans are the same -- when everyone knows the vast quality difference between catastrophic plans ("Broken femur? Here's 2 Percocet and a crutch.") and platinum plans ("Broken femur? Our chief orthopedist will see you now.").
4
What's missing in the reporting is that the "savings" from this "plan" is that it is actually a huge tax cut, in the three-digit billions, for the wealthy. The tax windfall comes from cutting the tax surcharge on the very wealthy that pays for Medicaid, the very program that allows the ACA and other programs to increase the number of covered Americans, primarily the working and disabled poor. Ironically, or rather just cynically this will hit Trump voters the hardest. Another I filled promise from a Trump campaign promise, to put it charitably.
3
Excessive focus on saving rich people's money combined with callous disregard of human suffering? They should call this plan "EbenezerCare" with the tagline, "Reduce the surplus population."
6
Yesterday a local news station was interviewing people in the street. One man said, "I don't like Obamacare, but I like the Affordable Health Care Act."
Aside from the stunning ignorance, I think this speaks sadly to what's in a name.
Aside from the stunning ignorance, I think this speaks sadly to what's in a name.
9
Also important: what is Sean Spicer wearing on his right foot in the lead photo?
6
It looks like an orthopedic shoe.
1
Clearly he bit down hard on one of the many occasions he has inserted his foot in his mouth since becoming Trump's propaganda secretary.
1
I don't know if health care is a right but it is a need. Poor people and old people are particularly challenged. Many avoid health care because they cannot afford it which means a lot of people getting (preventably) ill and some dying. Children of the poor are particularly hapless victims.
We have to stop dinking around with this. As a physician, I detest government oversight. But the neglect of the health of the poor and elderly is far worse. It is immoral. We need to put everyone on Medicare.
We have to stop dinking around with this. As a physician, I detest government oversight. But the neglect of the health of the poor and elderly is far worse. It is immoral. We need to put everyone on Medicare.
7
I am from Korea where we have a very good healthcare system. It was started in the late 70's when Korea was still a relatively poor country that was trying to industrialize. But a national healthcare system was something everyone aspired to and there was no dispute that it would be single payer run by the government. It took a while for the system to develop to what it is today of course, but now Korea is expected to have the longest life expectancy for both men and women partly due to the healthcare they receive so readily.
Now I just have a hard time understanding the conservatives' mindset in this country. Why they are so dead set against helping the less fortunate by taxing the wealthy a bit more especially when they have done so so well in the last couple of decades, when the gap between the rich and poor have widened to third world level. Aren't they ashamed to be the only industrialized country where its people can face financial ruin if they happen to get sick? And all this in the name of freedom and choice? (But then in the most personal and intimate aspect of one's life, it seems that the government has to intervene.)
Now I just have a hard time understanding the conservatives' mindset in this country. Why they are so dead set against helping the less fortunate by taxing the wealthy a bit more especially when they have done so so well in the last couple of decades, when the gap between the rich and poor have widened to third world level. Aren't they ashamed to be the only industrialized country where its people can face financial ruin if they happen to get sick? And all this in the name of freedom and choice? (But then in the most personal and intimate aspect of one's life, it seems that the government has to intervene.)
13
I'll believe that Trumpcare is really the grand solution Republicans claim it is when Congress does away with its own healthcare program and adopts Trumpcare for themselves and their families.
In other words, never.
In other words, never.
2
The GOP does not do good or even reasonable social policy. The GOP does two things well - they cut taxes for billionaires and they wreck social policy and restrictions on corporations. That's it - cut, destroy, cut destroy. There's nothing else in their bag of tricks. Asking the GOP to come up with decent social policy is like politely asking a wild tiger to leave a piece of steak alone. It's not going to happen.
6
Save 337 billion for who? For the ones that have more money than God?
But that's ok, balance the budget on the people who voted for the
Trumpster, and, the people most vulnerable that have the least influence.
We also have the added bonus of defunding planned parenthood and the dismantling of Medicaid and Medicare as we know it----such a deal
But that's ok, balance the budget on the people who voted for the
Trumpster, and, the people most vulnerable that have the least influence.
We also have the added bonus of defunding planned parenthood and the dismantling of Medicaid and Medicare as we know it----such a deal
2
Why do rich republicans have such hatred for the working poor and under privileged? These greedy billionaires keep building storehouses for their ever-increasing wealth, yet they pretend to be devout Christians.
1
Saving $337 billion for a nation that has a $20 trillion debt load is good news. The key is making health care more affordable. Under the Affordable Care Act that didn't happen. In fact both premiums and costs of medical visits skyrocketed, leaving many of the so-called "insured" in the same boat as when they were uninsured. They still can't afford to go to a doctor. Innovation is needed as the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) is failing even as it is adding hundreds of billions to our debt. I applaud the GOP for seeking a better way, offering access and lower costs so that many of those the CBO says are "losing" healthcare will actually be far closer to affording health coverage under this new plan than under Obamacare.
3
I take it you are not acquainted with any of the 24 million? I know several of them, and this has been a lifesaver for them. They work well over 40 hours a week and can now afford proper care.
So, death panels for them, I guess.
Your debt is from unfunded wars and tax cuts for the superrich. Lots of savings there if the greed and looting would stop paying for Congress to ignore the rest of us.
So, death panels for them, I guess.
Your debt is from unfunded wars and tax cuts for the superrich. Lots of savings there if the greed and looting would stop paying for Congress to ignore the rest of us.
12
So you just don;t believe anything the CBO has to say, that actually 24 million people will be further away from having health insurance? And how exactly are the Republicans with their plan improving access and lowering costs?
5
Death panels for the broke.
Replacing Obamacare with WeDontCare.
Selfish greedy and ignorant.
Replacing Obamacare with WeDontCare.
Selfish greedy and ignorant.
12
Double down on your efforts to get the facts and ultimate exclusions of the AHCA out to the Trump supporters. If necessary, use small words and speak slowly. Make sure they understand what a short and long-term travesty is being shoved down their throats. Their “benefactor” is lying again.
Congress and the President have to think of and care for all Americans, not just a chosen few.
Congress and the President have to think of and care for all Americans, not just a chosen few.
If we cannot live well why bother pretending we are a society?
11
An abolutely ridiculous plan of the GOP. MEDICARE FOR ALL is the only way to assure health coverage for all Americans at the price each can afford. Get with the program, Congress. This is 2017. Not 1917.
That's a lot of savings on the deficit. And the tax break for the wealthy is very generous. All the kings horses and all the kings men will be happy again. And Donald Trump will donate his 400 thousand dollar salary, ( which he said he wouldn't take) and get $156,000 tax write off. All's well that ends well.
7
OK, if this goes through, my insurance goes up as much as $5K annually. So my savings might last until I'm 65. But maybe not. Guess I may finally get to own that cell phone.
8
Access to health care is not the same as being able to afford to go to the doctor and get medicine, tests or referrals to other doctors for needed care. I have access, what I don't have is the money to pay for it. Does that mean I am not a cost effective human being? It sounds like the new death squads are in Congress.
8
So I am the hypothetical 64-year-old who earns about $25K and would see my healthcare go up to $14K in a year under this plan. And the real icing on the cake? If I let my insurance lapse because I couldn't afford it, I'd pay even more! What a joke. And what an insult to those of us Americans who try to eat healthy, stay fit, etc. We are obviously lesser creatures than those that earn more. Hear that, Trump voters?
23
I understand they don't REALLY think the CBO's numbers are off when it comes to how much this is gonna save the GOP's richest tax payers! Like anyone making over many millions a year needs to feel our pain.Or is that the only way they can tell how rich they are?
3
The Republican response about the CBO is "pay no attention to that man behind the curtain"
What is being too readily overlooked in reports about Trump-Ryan Care is that it very effectively wages war on people with low incomes from all backgrounds, races, ethnic groups, etc. By "ending Medicaid as we know it", and turning it into a program handled at the state level, the Republicans will return us to a time when poor and elderly people had little to no access to health care. Emergency room waits will swell, people will die needlessly or have their lives shortened unnecessarily, so that wealthy people will have their tax cut. I'm a retired primary care physician and I've seen that (horror) show before!
11
Doubt it will save $ 337 billion when the cost of caring for the critically ill uninsured who were denied preventative care. are estimated and subtracted from this "savings". Doubt the cost of supporting struggling hospitals which must care for the newly uninsured is figured into the equation. either. Very few middle class citizens will be able to afford the completely unregulated premiums of private insurers. We will return to the "Hollywood front" of insurance plans where people will pay top dollar for insurance that covers very little to nothing. Some of us will pay for this and it will certainly be the lower income members of our society and not the Donald Trumps of the world. Republican congress people should have to volunteer to return their lifetime government supplied medical insurance plans (likely costing taxpayers billions) before they support such a plan for the rest of us.
4
The supposed savings are not real savings. They are examples of shifting the costs of Medicaid from the federal government to the states. Unlike the federal government states cannot print more money to produce balanced budgets. They must make choices between things like medical care for the poor, providing police protection, or having decent public schools. Right now the two largest items in most state budgets are public education and medical aid to the poor (Medicaid.)
The Republican Unaffordable Care Act may not create death panels, but it does not need to do that. This bill would effectively increase the number of preventable deaths by preventing millions of poor people from accessing decent medical care.
The Republican Unaffordable Care Act may not create death panels, but it does not need to do that. This bill would effectively increase the number of preventable deaths by preventing millions of poor people from accessing decent medical care.
4
I have seen several Republican legislators say laughingly, in response to criticism of their health care proposal "don't worry, this is just a start, we have a lot of additional work to do", as if we are children getting unnecessarily excited over nothing at all.
They also say the numbers from the CBO are all wrong, only they understand the real numbers.
Finally, they explain how we will have a free market for health insurance (likely with further reductions in the number of available health insurance providers, pharmaceutical companies and hospitals through government approved mergers), people need to be responsible for their own decisions and don't buy IPhones.
But the truly scary part is that my friends who get all their news from FOX believe this bleep without question.
They also say the numbers from the CBO are all wrong, only they understand the real numbers.
Finally, they explain how we will have a free market for health insurance (likely with further reductions in the number of available health insurance providers, pharmaceutical companies and hospitals through government approved mergers), people need to be responsible for their own decisions and don't buy IPhones.
But the truly scary part is that my friends who get all their news from FOX believe this bleep without question.
10
Maybe, just maybe, this GOP healthcare bill will demonstrate to the tens of millions of working class voters that Trump and the GOP truly does not have your best interests at heart. Tax cuts to the uber-wealthy and further denial of health care to the poor and near-poor will be the result of this bill. The realist in me says this may be the most effective way to further the collapse of the TP-dominated GOP, and allow a socially-moderate, fiscally-conservative poltical party to rise from the ashes. Change is difficult, and we are in for some significant changes over the coming years.
4
What this shows is that Obamacare would have covered 14 million people in 2018 at $1714.29 a pop. Trumpcare will cover them nothing.
BC of new jersey wrote -
Health Care is not a right, it's a privilege. Grow up and take responsibility for yourselves and your children.
My question for BC, is what if you are the child of someone who is derelict in their duty for whatever reason?
We have a real problem in that 1 out of every 2 babies born is paid for with Medicaid. Ignoring those babies health is no solution. Ignoring the fact that those who cannot or will not support their babies are having more children on average than those who must support their own plus the children of those who are derelict is also no solution.
Health Care is not a right, it's a privilege. Grow up and take responsibility for yourselves and your children.
My question for BC, is what if you are the child of someone who is derelict in their duty for whatever reason?
We have a real problem in that 1 out of every 2 babies born is paid for with Medicaid. Ignoring those babies health is no solution. Ignoring the fact that those who cannot or will not support their babies are having more children on average than those who must support their own plus the children of those who are derelict is also no solution.
5
337 billion dollars divided by the population of the great USA equals 8 dollars and 81 cents per month for each of us for the next ten years. That is what the white house says we are going to save over the next ten years if we remove 24 million people from health care. I spelled it out to make it look like the big deal that they are so proud to announce. $8.81 a month. Can you imagine the hardships 24 million people are going to face because the Republicans want to save a measley $8.81? Lets just chip in $8.81 a month and let every one keep there health care. Where can we send it Mr. Trump?
We need a constitutional amendment. We can't depend on these professional "Bickertons" to get anything done. Even Huey Long had been working on this since 1930! Get healthcare out of the hands of the bureaucrats and back into the hands of the people. Healthcare is a right because it is good for the country and makes us a stronger nation. Complicated? Only if the lobbyists want to butter their bread on both sides.
"Access" to healthcare is not the same as affordability. I also have access to buying a Bentley.
The headline is awkward and at first sounds to me as if 24 million uninsured will be added to the plan.
1
The 2018 election cycle is now underway.
2
Trump and his appointed swamp dwellers are only out to make the richer much richer and siphon money from the poor. It's so obvious what they are doing that there's no other way to put it. They view the people who will die as a result of losing their healthcare as collateral damage.
The issue that is not being written is that the Republican Care will result in 43,000 deaths a year as a result of no health care insurance, and that premiums and hospital and doctors costs will rise as a result of those larger amounts of those uninsure.
Also, Republican Care is not a wellness plan or has measurements that increases quality of care as Obamacare.
Also, Republican Care is not a wellness plan or has measurements that increases quality of care as Obamacare.
2
No more leaving the country for a year abroad for work or study: 30% increase in health insurance premiums upon return.
Country lock, the new job lock.
Country lock, the new job lock.
5
Cutting off healthcare to people without means to pay saves money? Who would have thought?!
5
$337 billion off the federal budget deficits, but at what cost to those, whom will be uninsured in the terms of lost wages and years of life lost.
2
Let's be clear: this plan is BillionaireCare, designed to get rid of the tax on the wealthy that funds much of Obamacare. Getting rid of that tax is the top priority of Republicans, and who cares if millions lose their health care?
8
I hope we save the Republic from these tyrants. I mean what sort of educational institution did these idiots got their degrees from? Yikes, oh well, lets see if their supporters will vote them back into office after they lose their healthcare.
4
Donald Trump will start a war to keep his job.
We might 'save' in the short run, but certainly not in the long. Longing for the compassion and wisdom of leaders like the late Sen. Paul Wellstone who said, "We all do better when we all do better."
6
Save money by throwing Americans to the dogs - that's Republicanism today.
5
What's all the fuss about? Everyone knows that the CBO report doesn't mean diddly. It's just "numbers and stuff" generated by Washington Eggheads. What really matters is that our President, Donald Trump, said everyone will have healthcare in this country and it will be "cheaper and better." Their, I said it, I "feel better" already. Now I don't even have to see a doctor!
4
A consequence of the Republican replacement for Obamacare will be many employers not providing insurance. In addition to the savings of not paying for employee insurance, there will be another reason to drop health insurance coverage after both employer and individual mandates are gone. Consider two firms trying to hire minimum wage workers. One employer offers the minimum wage plus some (probably meager) health insurance, that requires some partial payments from the employee. The other employer offers the minimum wage and can tell the prospective employee that since there is no health insurance the employee will not have any premium taken from their pay and that will significantly increase their take-home pay.
HMO's were once thought to be a way of dealing with the inexorable price increases. The problem is that HMOs have to compete against each other for services of doctors and hospitals. As long as medical prices are set by market forces, the inelasticity of demand will force market prices inexorably higher. In a "mixed system" with both free-market and controlled health care prices like the USA, prices inexorably are driven upwards to the market level as long as demand is inelastic. Prices such as payments from Medicare that are "controlled" have to be increased continuously with legislation such as the "doctor-fix" to stay competitive with market prices. Medical costs can only be effectively controlled by price controls.."
http://seekingalpha.com/article/1647632
HMO's were once thought to be a way of dealing with the inexorable price increases. The problem is that HMOs have to compete against each other for services of doctors and hospitals. As long as medical prices are set by market forces, the inelasticity of demand will force market prices inexorably higher. In a "mixed system" with both free-market and controlled health care prices like the USA, prices inexorably are driven upwards to the market level as long as demand is inelastic. Prices such as payments from Medicare that are "controlled" have to be increased continuously with legislation such as the "doctor-fix" to stay competitive with market prices. Medical costs can only be effectively controlled by price controls.."
http://seekingalpha.com/article/1647632
1
The construction companies should love the bill, there is now plenty funding for their wall
3
It is not only exasperating how Trump and the GOP strenuously object to facts, it is corrosive to our very form of government (or what's left of it).
3
Many middle class Trump supporters will think, 'Whoopie, we're gonna save a third of a TRILLION dollars on wasteful government spending'. Like they are going to see a dime of that. Sad.
Plain and simple-Paul Ryan is being guided by Ayn Rand's delusional thinking rather than his Catholic morality. Shame on Mr. Ryan for worshipping false idols. If capitalism can't benefit all people, then it is the function of government to "ensure the blessings of liberty."
8
The GOP and Trump make me a believer in that Satan really exists!
6
Letting millions of children and adults die, WILL have consequences...!!!!
6
Well, let's see: The hospital associations hate it. The American Medical Association hates it. AARP hates it. The CBO says millions will lose care. The President and his cronies say everyone else is wrong and they are right. Business as usual from this Congress and Administration.
13
Man these dudes are Special:)
Impress us MORE by having the initial 14million losing insurance building your Wall on the Border.
And the Pièce De Résistance,...have them on the Southern Side of the Great Wall when they're finished.
Impress us MORE by having the initial 14million losing insurance building your Wall on the Border.
And the Pièce De Résistance,...have them on the Southern Side of the Great Wall when they're finished.
3
Can we get a read on mortality rates from these cuts in coverage? U.S. citizens will die prematurely based on lack of adequate access to health care so that the government can, yes, save money. But let us understand that these are our Republican legislators becoming a de facto death panel.
3
I really hope the trumpers are satisfied. If they thought they were maligned before this....you guys own this cruel mess!
6
Has anyone figured out how many of the 24 million will stop working earlier and how many of them will die earlier. There is a cost to the nation for that, and it is a lot higher than the $ 337 billion savings over 10 years. Then prior to that, all of the misery the families of the 24 million that has to be endured. The Republicans have no conscience.
6
Health Insurance is not controlled by doctor and/or patients. It is controlled by the insurance companies writing and selling their health insurance policies to consumers/patients.
If you have a policy with networks involved- you cannot really pick your doctor -you have to pick a doctor who accepts the insurance that you have.
As my insurance broker said to me several years ago, you get what you pay for.
The more comprehensive the policy, the more it costs- zero deductible, the right to any doctor who accepts the policy without being referred, and so on- costs a lot-
Luckily, people who cannot afford high premiums are able to go on the exchange, get a subsidy and get coverage but are still faced with high deductibles that often make it impossible for them to afford the out of pocket cost of a CSCAN or an MRI.
Dr Rich cannot be serious- pick the doctor you want-NO, you can go to the doctor who accepts your health insurance-
If you have a policy with networks involved- you cannot really pick your doctor -you have to pick a doctor who accepts the insurance that you have.
As my insurance broker said to me several years ago, you get what you pay for.
The more comprehensive the policy, the more it costs- zero deductible, the right to any doctor who accepts the policy without being referred, and so on- costs a lot-
Luckily, people who cannot afford high premiums are able to go on the exchange, get a subsidy and get coverage but are still faced with high deductibles that often make it impossible for them to afford the out of pocket cost of a CSCAN or an MRI.
Dr Rich cannot be serious- pick the doctor you want-NO, you can go to the doctor who accepts your health insurance-
4
Did the CBO report take into account increase in ER visits by the newly uninsured? Also, who might drop insurance due to necessity? Faced with insurance payment or feeding the kids, the poor may opt for the kids, then be faced with much higher premiums later. How is this fair? But I guess, fair wasn't the point.
7
So 337 Billion "saved" by the federal government; what about the states? That's where this will get really ugly. This is a shell game designed to pass the costs to state government. Someone, somewhere will always pay the hard price.
4
Yeah - pass the costs to the states, most of which are controlled by Republicans - where they will not be met. They can't really expect us to believe that "passing the costs" to the states will solve anything, can they? The states are less equipped to handle the costs than the federal government. Look as what has happened to other programs that were turned into block grants to the states.
1
Greed reigns king in Ryan's version of TRUMPCARE. Never mind the reasons anyone might actually need health care. As long as those in need have access to what they cant actually have because of money constraints is all that really matters.
Repubs in essence have officially determined that wealth will determine ones right to health care.
TRUMPCARE equates to a return to what existed prior to the ACA. A health system with too many levels of profiteering that with each passing year was monetarily less and less accessible to the working class.
Anyone who believes that a return to yesteryear is a good thing has to be incredibly gullible and very stupid. Thanks repubs for nothing more than what everbody except incredibly wealthy profiteers hated before the ACA.
Repubs in essence have officially determined that wealth will determine ones right to health care.
TRUMPCARE equates to a return to what existed prior to the ACA. A health system with too many levels of profiteering that with each passing year was monetarily less and less accessible to the working class.
Anyone who believes that a return to yesteryear is a good thing has to be incredibly gullible and very stupid. Thanks repubs for nothing more than what everbody except incredibly wealthy profiteers hated before the ACA.
3
Republicans have stooped to fake news for years. Now they have dropped any sense of humanity by providing us with fake healthcare for all.
4
$337 billion saved? Excellent. Put it all in the military to protect our glorious American way of life...our great nation which will have ever more struggling poor, ever more people without adequate health care, an ever more deteriorating environment, an increasingly venal, atomistic, dumbed-down population. And on and on and on.
8
A strange way of caring for the "left behind" people in the Rost Belt and at Motown.Why not stop food stamps and housing subventions for the poor so they don't take away desperatly needed money from rich?
3
That's coming next.
I predict that this bill will fail in the House because it is too generous to the working poor and those below the poverty line. The Tea Party caucus won't be satisfied until all federal subsidies are removed.
Also, I'm not hearing much about the loss of tax revenue caused by this bill. What's the overall result after tax cuts are subtracted from reduced payouts?
Also, I'm not hearing much about the loss of tax revenue caused by this bill. What's the overall result after tax cuts are subtracted from reduced payouts?
2
Dear GOP Grifters and Dilettantes--
Glad to see that people will lose health insurance.It was just weakening their minds anyway. So tell me how you decide who are the worthy? Dr. Tom Price has it all figured out. You, after all were the ones who conceived of death panels. Why go through this charade? Just get rid of Medicaid altogether. Take us back to 1965. Get rid of Medicare-- just pay back everything paid in plus interest. Take us back to 1929. Then America will be the Shining City on the Hill, right?
Glad to see that people will lose health insurance.It was just weakening their minds anyway. So tell me how you decide who are the worthy? Dr. Tom Price has it all figured out. You, after all were the ones who conceived of death panels. Why go through this charade? Just get rid of Medicaid altogether. Take us back to 1965. Get rid of Medicare-- just pay back everything paid in plus interest. Take us back to 1929. Then America will be the Shining City on the Hill, right?
5
One does not have to be a genius to know that once the individual mandate to buy insurance is removed to pay a tax penalty people will game the system. There is a man who stood up at town hall meeting with Paul Ryan, the speaker of the House who admitted he had despised Obamacare and the requirement to buy health insurance. He's around 48 years old. When he came down with stage 4 cancer he signed up for insurance. And there is no law that says he can't do that. So that's the problem there. That is why this system won't work. When I was in my twenties I had health insurance that both my employer and I paid for. It was not free. I never needed to see the doctor but I live in a city where I could be hit by a car, bus or bike any day. So even then I thought I's rather pay into a system I might never use than risk waking up in a hospital without insurance.
Also it;s disingenuous that people in the administration and their supporters are saying that the CBO scored incorrectly for the ACA. When the law was passed it took into consideration that states would opt in and expand Medicaid to insure their residents who are not poor but earn too much to be on Medicaid. Well at first many of them, under Republican control, refused to expand Medicaid. So less people were insured. Kentucky expanded it under a Democratic governor with a Republican legislature. Yet Kentucky voted in a Republican governor who is against the ACA. Now we see why Trump is president.
Also it;s disingenuous that people in the administration and their supporters are saying that the CBO scored incorrectly for the ACA. When the law was passed it took into consideration that states would opt in and expand Medicaid to insure their residents who are not poor but earn too much to be on Medicaid. Well at first many of them, under Republican control, refused to expand Medicaid. So less people were insured. Kentucky expanded it under a Democratic governor with a Republican legislature. Yet Kentucky voted in a Republican governor who is against the ACA. Now we see why Trump is president.
24 million is less than 10% of the people in the country .. a proportion of those do not want insurance. That leaves very few "uninsured" .. that is, people who want insurance. Of these some cannot afford ACA insurance and some can but cannot get a doctor for several different reasons. These people further reduce the number of "uninsured" Americans (notice that people play fast and lose with the term "uninsured"). NYTs and others who oppose Republican like to through around the 24 million number because it sounds BIG. The real problem with the Republican plans has to do with the windfall for the rich.
As if the majority of voters needed reminding, Trump and his Republican enablers and propagandists are morally bankrupt. As always the pendulum swung too far and it will swing back – but what damage to our democracy in the meantime from these political thugs? If the health of citizen's is not Job-1 from any government, I don't know what is. Money can be apparently be found in an instant for unfunded ways costing trillions and major increases in defense spending when our main adversary spends a small fraction of that – but health and education under the Republican regime is only ever a talking point before elections. What a disgrace these people really are.
13
According to the IRS 6.5 million taxpayers pay the fine rather than buy Healthcare Insurance. Another 12.7 million are granted a waiver on said fine.
Which means almost 20 million people, who don't qualify for an expanded Medicaid and can afford to buy insurance, choose not to. 20 Million people not in the risk pool.
And that is the basic flaw in Ocare. It is a closed loop system that depends upon participation of all. And there will always be people who choose risk over healthcare insurance.
It has failed.
Which means almost 20 million people, who don't qualify for an expanded Medicaid and can afford to buy insurance, choose not to. 20 Million people not in the risk pool.
And that is the basic flaw in Ocare. It is a closed loop system that depends upon participation of all. And there will always be people who choose risk over healthcare insurance.
It has failed.
1
Considering that ocare has had so little support yea, dare i say has been sabotaged, it's doing pretty well. The penalty was designed to start low then increase. The higher the penalty the more incentive to sign up.
We all know why that mandate is a pillar , the larger and healthier the insurance pool the less risk to the insurance companies and the lower the premiums. Also less people using emergency rooms for their health care lowers the care costs for all of us.
Without the mandate, the republican plan apparently won't have these benefits.
We all know why that mandate is a pillar , the larger and healthier the insurance pool the less risk to the insurance companies and the lower the premiums. Also less people using emergency rooms for their health care lowers the care costs for all of us.
Without the mandate, the republican plan apparently won't have these benefits.
Single payer, payroll deduction health insurance, like Medicare, would solve much of the problem you're talking about.
I've got this figured out. This is a way to kill 2 birds (old geezers) with one stone. Make the insurance premiums so high that the older folks won't be able to afford it. That way they will die before they reach social security or medicare age. The GOP promised not to touch ss or medi. Well this is their way to "fix" them without touching them.
9
Keep an eye on June 21. That is the last day for insurance companies to commit to the federal healthcare markets for next year.
If no clear direction in made the repeal and replace may totally fall apart or worse the GOP would cause unnecessary chaos in these markets
Resist the GOP plan!
If no clear direction in made the repeal and replace may totally fall apart or worse the GOP would cause unnecessary chaos in these markets
Resist the GOP plan!
5
Before the election, Republicans conned millions into voting for them with vague hand-waving promises of "more...better...cheaper healthcare." Now, they release a bill that basically sends us back to the old free market system (wealthy people can afford health insurance and live healthy, over 40 million poor people can't, and will more often die).
Now they are continuing with their vague hand-waving promises, saying, "wait, we're going to make some laws, and those laws are somehow going to make it better, don't worry!" More cons, that's all.
The free market is great for some things. It isn't great for the 40+ million who can't afford basic healthcare, and who cost hospitals $millions in emergency care, and who die of preventable diseases.
The government has a role to play in our society. Republicans are stuck on an antiquated idea of government that leaves our society without protections from harmful actions by the rich and powerful. Our health, our air, our water, our drugs, our food, our safety, our environment, our place in the world, and our future all hang in the balance now.
Now they are continuing with their vague hand-waving promises, saying, "wait, we're going to make some laws, and those laws are somehow going to make it better, don't worry!" More cons, that's all.
The free market is great for some things. It isn't great for the 40+ million who can't afford basic healthcare, and who cost hospitals $millions in emergency care, and who die of preventable diseases.
The government has a role to play in our society. Republicans are stuck on an antiquated idea of government that leaves our society without protections from harmful actions by the rich and powerful. Our health, our air, our water, our drugs, our food, our safety, our environment, our place in the world, and our future all hang in the balance now.
Ryan called his Obamacare alternative plan an “act of mercy," it effect -- mercy killings.
9
All we have to do is build (1) less Y2 Bomber or (netter yet) (1) less Destroyer/ The best solution is to eliminate (1) of the following agencies, which are listed in no particular order: All State Police; All US Marshall(s); The FBI, The CIA; The NSA; Homeland Security; US Customs; The Border Patrol; The Secret Service; (50%) of All Pentagon Employees; All Super-Pacs; Decriminalize drug use; ad infinitum.
Obviously, my point is so many of these agencies have (A) overlapping duties and (B) Are not necessary anymore. The only reason they have grown to outrageous proportions is because once a job is created, no one has the guts to eliminate it.
Do we REALLY need armored vehicles in Nowheresville, Kansas?
Obviously, my point is so many of these agencies have (A) overlapping duties and (B) Are not necessary anymore. The only reason they have grown to outrageous proportions is because once a job is created, no one has the guts to eliminate it.
Do we REALLY need armored vehicles in Nowheresville, Kansas?
I think the most important achievement of the new health care plan is that it would motivate Americans to live a healthier lifestyle, therefore stay healthy preferably for their whole life.
This on the longer term could completely eliminate the need for “Health Care” as everybody would be healthy. Those very few in need would pay market cost for services required.
This is not some kind of a “joke”. This is real.
Might even work as a promo on Fox News.
This on the longer term could completely eliminate the need for “Health Care” as everybody would be healthy. Those very few in need would pay market cost for services required.
This is not some kind of a “joke”. This is real.
Might even work as a promo on Fox News.
2
Just listened to the weasel words of Price during a TV interview -- the new act will provide "access" and the "feasibility" of buying coverage. There is a multimillion dollar home in my town, so, yes, I have "access" to it and I have the "feasibility" of buying it but the issue is that I don't have the actual MONEY with which to purchase it and that's the situation with the "new" tax cut for the wealthy bill -- people won't actually be able to afford to purchase the amount of coverage that they need.
This bill is a tax cut for the wealthy presented as healthcare bill. Don't be duped by the lies and the lying liars in Congress and the administration who are stripping you naked for their own fun and profit.
This bill is a tax cut for the wealthy presented as healthcare bill. Don't be duped by the lies and the lying liars in Congress and the administration who are stripping you naked for their own fun and profit.
9
Let's develop a tracking system that identifies when a US congressman's extended family member dies for lack of Public Health care.
4
Fox New is saying Paul Ryan says the COB's numbers "exceeded his expectations" while Newt Gingrich is saying the CBO's numbers were "disgustingly wrong". What's the deal. Perhaps Ryan loves the financial boon to the federal budget and the tax break to his wealthy donors and Gingrich.....well I have no idea what he might be thinking.
At the end of the day it's a wealth of riches for the wealthy and the poor get screwed. Many of whom voted for Trump. I still have my employer sponsored healthcare and will likely be able to put more away tax free. But I was fine with taking a limited tax deduction for millions to get heath coverage.
I never thought a political party would be so blatantly cruel. I knew they were cruel and in the pocket of the rich, but I just never thought they would be so obvious about it.
At the end of the day it's a wealth of riches for the wealthy and the poor get screwed. Many of whom voted for Trump. I still have my employer sponsored healthcare and will likely be able to put more away tax free. But I was fine with taking a limited tax deduction for millions to get heath coverage.
I never thought a political party would be so blatantly cruel. I knew they were cruel and in the pocket of the rich, but I just never thought they would be so obvious about it.
10
Haven't read all the comments, so perhaps this has been addressed, but one of the most inhumane and cynical stipulations of this bills is that a person who has lost his job for more than 3 months now has to pay a *higher* premium? (Higher permanently, from thereon? I'm not clear on that point.)
Aren't Republicans aware that a person who is let go, fired, laid off may not be able to find another job within 3 months? Where have they been since 2007?
The person without income is charged more? Really? The person who has been using any savings he may or may not have just to eat and pay rent while he hunts for a new job?
Throw-Mama-under-the-bus Trumpcare! What a way to go! Put all your *representatives* on speed dial, folks. It's time to speak up.
And whilst speaking, ask 'em what's wrong with just offering Medicare to everyone? Much simpler. Very popular. Already in place. Much like the flat tax they always mewl about.
Aren't Republicans aware that a person who is let go, fired, laid off may not be able to find another job within 3 months? Where have they been since 2007?
The person without income is charged more? Really? The person who has been using any savings he may or may not have just to eat and pay rent while he hunts for a new job?
Throw-Mama-under-the-bus Trumpcare! What a way to go! Put all your *representatives* on speed dial, folks. It's time to speak up.
And whilst speaking, ask 'em what's wrong with just offering Medicare to everyone? Much simpler. Very popular. Already in place. Much like the flat tax they always mewl about.
As if Americans cared ... You continue exposing false facts ...because when tou really care a bout global health care you don't just show numbers about how it could potentially go worse. It is a behaviorist psy chology .If you really care about healthcare just strt to show the analysis and the numbers of how a global health care system could operate and how it works in other nations and economies. The data is out there available easily . If you don't ,pleae don't continue to show tour american hypocrite faux semblant.
Christian nation ?? It's Free Market Fundamentalism all the way $$$$$
Medicare for all is the best solution!
.
Medicare for all is the best solution!
.
6
Free market? It's only a feee market until the billionaires need a bail out. Hello AIG.
Any single party plan is doomed to failure, if we as Americans can't work together to solve the healthcare challenges, we will reap what we sow.
I think it's sad that we're so concerned with watching "The Other Party" fail in its endeavors that we wind up collectively screwing ourselves.
Wake up America, a divided nation is weaker and so are its policies that impact our lives. Look in the mirror today, if your not interested in being part of the solution, you are the problem!
I think it's sad that we're so concerned with watching "The Other Party" fail in its endeavors that we wind up collectively screwing ourselves.
Wake up America, a divided nation is weaker and so are its policies that impact our lives. Look in the mirror today, if your not interested in being part of the solution, you are the problem!
So...Trumpettes. how's the view from under that bus?
8
Ever since this election, so many articles claim that liberals "live in a bubble" and lost the election because we don't care about white working class families. Yet liberals are the ones who have consistently supported health care for all Americans.
This GOP plan is criminal and will affect millions of people, many of whom are white working class families in Trumpland. This liberal cares about that.
This GOP plan is criminal and will affect millions of people, many of whom are white working class families in Trumpland. This liberal cares about that.
13
Probably the most biased, left sided article I've read in the Times... Sad. Looks like I'll now read Breitbart''s take on the new, proposed healthcare law to get the other perspective.
Look at the greater majority of articles you have on the "front page" of your website this morn.... all quite left leaning.
How can you "journalists" take yourselves seriously as a legitimate, balanced source of news?
Look at the greater majority of articles you have on the "front page" of your website this morn.... all quite left leaning.
How can you "journalists" take yourselves seriously as a legitimate, balanced source of news?
4
Have you considered that reality in this case (and many others) is simply liberal?
1
The report was produced by a bipartison commitee headed up by Republican. Pay attention!
1
Pre the A.C.A. I read this:
New study finds 45,000 deaths annually linked to lack of health coverage
Uninsured, working-age Americans have 40 percent higher death risk than privately insured counterparts
September 17, 2009
By David Cecere, Cambridge Health Alliance
New study finds 45,000 deaths annually linked to lack of health coverage
Uninsured, working-age Americans have 40 percent higher death risk than privately insured counterparts
September 17, 2009
By David Cecere, Cambridge Health Alliance
1
Actually, this legislation is quite smart. There's no fear of or need for Sarah Palin's death panels. You either pay higher premiums or you croak.
8
My republican ex-friend insists that government cannot run anything right and the vast majority of people who receive Medicaid are "able-bodied" people with cellphones looking for a hand-out. When it is pointed out that 80% of Medicaid pays for kids, senior long-term care, and people with disabilities, he scoffs dismissively at suspect "facts". When it is suggested that dreaded government initiated and administered programs are actually improving peoples' lives -- that, for example, before Medicaid and its expansion, Medicare and social security, 1 in 3 seniors lived in poverty and now that number is 1 in 10, he rolls his eyes dismissively. Bottom line. Giving the wealthy $285 billion in tax cuts is the goal. Gutting and capping Medicaid funds by 25% will harm a yuge number of trump supporters. Hoping their victimology flares up again. #Trump-Don'tCare
8
Well, let's see what happens if and when your "ex-Republican friend" suffers a long term or catastrophic illness, the medical bills pile up and see how he "changes his tune". It never ceases to amaze me that people that think like this honestly believe that, unlike anyone else in this world, they have a "lease on life".
The genius for the Republicans is they know convincing the poor that the pee they feel running down their backs is actually rain is only a matter of appealing to a willfully ignorant state of bliss. It's not, for example, income disparity, sucking the economy dry, but rather it's immigrants who want your service economy job. No different from convincing a poor share cropper that he should abandon his farm to go fight a war because Northerners had a plan to free all the slaves who would then somehow threaten his way of life. Convincing Billy Bob that tax cuts for the rich, at his expense, is a great idea, is only a matter of assuring him that at least Mexicans won't be able to climb the Great Wall and rape his daughter.
8
People who need the most being deprived of the healthcare coverage simply to enrich the already super rich who hardly need this extra dose of tax cuts.
2
Hi America,
Just a quick one. In Australia we have had similar legislation. It has cost a lot. I am insured, but for that "privilege" I get to pay over $3000.00PA. Plus I can always look forward to a 6% plus increase every year. Wish my wages went up accordingly.
But to the point, a lot of Aussies are pulling out of private health insurance because of policies introduced to make people pay for private insurance. We have some of our political leaders from all sides questioning the value of health insurance in this country as a result.
We did have a good quality Health policy in place until we got the "right" of politics in control. Beware what you have voted for.
Just a quick one. In Australia we have had similar legislation. It has cost a lot. I am insured, but for that "privilege" I get to pay over $3000.00PA. Plus I can always look forward to a 6% plus increase every year. Wish my wages went up accordingly.
But to the point, a lot of Aussies are pulling out of private health insurance because of policies introduced to make people pay for private insurance. We have some of our political leaders from all sides questioning the value of health insurance in this country as a result.
We did have a good quality Health policy in place until we got the "right" of politics in control. Beware what you have voted for.
2
which "similar legislation"? your comment is difficult to follow...
1
Health Bill Would Kill 24 Million Uninsured but Save 337 Billion, Reprt Says
2
Any Republican Congressman who identifies as a "Christian" should take up the Bible and reread the prophets, the Law of Moses and the words of Jesus Christ. There they will find the ethics of a good health bill, which is to love one's neighbour as one's self, to care for the poor and needy, to be merciful. The tale of the Good Samaritan comes to mind. Paul Ryan, I'm looking at you, you utter hypocrite.
9
Let the Republicans trumpet the savings, which may amount to about $1,500 annually per newly uninsured American. That tells us all we need to know about the values of Mr Ryan and his crowd.
Of course these savings may be off-set by reduced worker productivity as some of the 24 million newly uninsured fall ill. And the savings may fall on everyone else's shoulders as the cost of health care rises, with many waiting until they are desperately ill and then going to hospital emergency rooms.
As an historian I am reminded of a precedent: When the Nazis introduced their plan for euthanasia, it was trumpeted to the public in part for financial reasons: it supposedly saved the taxpayers 60.000 RM for every individual killed.
Of course these savings may be off-set by reduced worker productivity as some of the 24 million newly uninsured fall ill. And the savings may fall on everyone else's shoulders as the cost of health care rises, with many waiting until they are desperately ill and then going to hospital emergency rooms.
As an historian I am reminded of a precedent: When the Nazis introduced their plan for euthanasia, it was trumpeted to the public in part for financial reasons: it supposedly saved the taxpayers 60.000 RM for every individual killed.
3
Conduct an independent investigation into DJT ties to Russia with and we will spend the rest of 2017 putting a new president in place.
The healthcare fight will become a secondary priority once it is publicly known what DJT has done. By then we will be to the 2018 midterms when we can begin to remove the GOP faithful that support the repeal and replace.
Keep the focus on DJT and his lies and incompetence, making enacting new and dangerous policy like this GOP plan nearly impossible.
The healthcare fight will become a secondary priority once it is publicly known what DJT has done. By then we will be to the 2018 midterms when we can begin to remove the GOP faithful that support the repeal and replace.
Keep the focus on DJT and his lies and incompetence, making enacting new and dangerous policy like this GOP plan nearly impossible.
5
Seems to me that the ACA is finally collapsing under the weight of six years of intense Republican assault.
4
While Obama was President, it seemed relatively easy to fan the flames of anti-Obama sentiment and get people to fall in line behind the idea of opposing him in any way possible. 57 separate votes to repeal the ACA aka Obamacare were symbolic but helped to keep the drumbeat going.
But now the White House has a new Occupant, with a honeymoon period that barely lasted till his inauguration, while Obama's popularity has soared and buyers' remorse is setting in.
So the Republicans in both executive and legislative branches should not be surprised that the well-worn battle cry of "Repeal Obamacare" is now ringing even more hollow. People are looking beyond slogans at hard reality and do not like what they see.
Republican members of Congress looking to their own political futures are realizing the Ryan proposal is going to drag them down. Their options are to not support it, and risk the wrath of Ryan and of the White House, or to postpone its implementation till after 2018 to help them with the voters who won't pay attention till they actually lose their health care.
Once again, caveat emptor!
But now the White House has a new Occupant, with a honeymoon period that barely lasted till his inauguration, while Obama's popularity has soared and buyers' remorse is setting in.
So the Republicans in both executive and legislative branches should not be surprised that the well-worn battle cry of "Repeal Obamacare" is now ringing even more hollow. People are looking beyond slogans at hard reality and do not like what they see.
Republican members of Congress looking to their own political futures are realizing the Ryan proposal is going to drag them down. Their options are to not support it, and risk the wrath of Ryan and of the White House, or to postpone its implementation till after 2018 to help them with the voters who won't pay attention till they actually lose their health care.
Once again, caveat emptor!
5
Excellent plan President Trump! Even if you had not planned to pull "the old bait and switch" routine, you could not have done it better. Bravo! SAD!
5
Let's see...
$337,000,000,000/24,000,000 = $14,041.67
I was never quite sure what a human life was worth... I would like to thank the Republican Party for finally solving that mystery.
$337,000,000,000/24,000,000 = $14,041.67
I was never quite sure what a human life was worth... I would like to thank the Republican Party for finally solving that mystery.
Already looks better than Obamacare......
In this case, looks are deceiving.
Under the Republican’s plan, what happens to a person who loses her job and is unable to find a new job until four months later, during which time she cannot afford her health insurance premiums and lets her coverage lapse? It sounds like what happens is that when she finds a new job and can again afford her health insurance premiums, they will have risen by 30%. Can that be right? That sounds insane.
5
I would rather croak in the forest like an Indian than have a government force me to do something.
Looks like that may be the plan all along.
2
Fine by me. Go for it. Just to expect to freeload any health care before you croak!
2
I wouldn't.
OK. Now the truth is out. The GOP really does care about money ahead of people's well being. With Paul Ryan talking about his actions as "marketing" (selling) health care, his motives are completely exposed. Now, with that in mind, let's not allow these people to talk this country into a bad deal. Not again.
They're just putting lipstick on a pig. And they've run out of lipstick. No more?
When does their greed stop?
They're just putting lipstick on a pig. And they've run out of lipstick. No more?
When does their greed stop?
4
Bragging you're Saving(?) $$s by removing folks from the rolls,..
Is like speaking to a person that lost their arm in an accident and complimenting them on the weight loss.
That's not POSITIVE Spin,..as much as it's Positively Delusional and Tone Death.
Is like speaking to a person that lost their arm in an accident and complimenting them on the weight loss.
That's not POSITIVE Spin,..as much as it's Positively Delusional and Tone Death.
8
Toss "American Exceptionalism" out the window with these actions too. There's no more of that with the GOP at the helm. It's downright embarrassing to watch these lawmakers try to pawn off this legislation on us under the guise of "saving" health care. Oh yeah, and so much for our Christian attitude also.
It's becoming clear that instead of improving health care they just are out to get rid of Obamacare, with their hatred of the former President the motive. It's disgusting seeing the people we have elected's actions. Let's vote accordingly next election.
It's becoming clear that instead of improving health care they just are out to get rid of Obamacare, with their hatred of the former President the motive. It's disgusting seeing the people we have elected's actions. Let's vote accordingly next election.
RepublicansDon'tCare
let's just call it what it is
tax cuts for the richest
less for everyone else
let's just call it what it is
tax cuts for the richest
less for everyone else
4
This Republican tax break for billionaires cost America 24 million lives...
Deplorable...
Deplorable...
2
Oh well. The report seems only to emphasize what the Trump et.al. wants to have: the balance of burden and coverage and yes money be tilted toward the rich. They are superb populistic manipulator: enough number of poor and the middle income poor were led to vote for the T team.
Americans have chosen democratically the populist manipulators. Won't you do something to correct the appalling situation (with Mr. T as the sitting president of the most powerful country) quickly, please.
Americans have chosen democratically the populist manipulators. Won't you do something to correct the appalling situation (with Mr. T as the sitting president of the most powerful country) quickly, please.
2
Save $337 billion? For who? That is the pertinent question here. And the answer is, of course, the wealthy. It matters not that people will die. It only matters that we comfort the already very comfortable.
Please, let's stop calling it Trumpcare or Ryancare. They're all complicit in this. So the appropriate moniker for it must be GOPCare or RepublicanCare. Don't let any of them off the hook.
Please, let's stop calling it Trumpcare or Ryancare. They're all complicit in this. So the appropriate moniker for it must be GOPCare or RepublicanCare. Don't let any of them off the hook.
6
The definition of "to cull":
to reduce or control the size of (as a herd) by removal of especially weaker animals; as a means of population control..
The Republican health care bill, as now written, should be quite effective in culling Americans who are weak, sick, poor, addicted, young, elderly....and in such a short period of time...
to reduce or control the size of (as a herd) by removal of especially weaker animals; as a means of population control..
The Republican health care bill, as now written, should be quite effective in culling Americans who are weak, sick, poor, addicted, young, elderly....and in such a short period of time...
3
Yes, but then who's going to vote for them.
Enough! Single payer now!
7
What a useless bill. Saves money and does nothing for getting people health insurance.
1
This is the oddest headline I have seen in the NYTimes (front page, linking to this article): "24 Million Fewer Could Receive Coverage". Why not say "24 Million Could Lose Coverage"? any particular reason for this convoluted headline? it confuses people.
2
I hope Republicans will forgive me for using math, but if the American Wealth Care Act saves $337 billion over ten years while kicking 24 million off insurance...
...that means that the cost to America of keeping these 24 million people insured through Obamacare's exchanges and its Medicaid expansions would be $337 billion, or $33.7 billion a year, which works out to just $1400/year for each extra person insured by keeping Obamacare.
That is serious value for money. Excellent even by European standards. Well done Obama! You were a pearl cast before swine
...that means that the cost to America of keeping these 24 million people insured through Obamacare's exchanges and its Medicaid expansions would be $337 billion, or $33.7 billion a year, which works out to just $1400/year for each extra person insured by keeping Obamacare.
That is serious value for money. Excellent even by European standards. Well done Obama! You were a pearl cast before swine
3
Single. Payer. System. We're done.
2
Trump/RyanCare will victimize millions of Americans as its promises of competition and choice of plans are revealed to be completely divorced from or destructive of the sustaining of the good health of the American people. The success of any health care and insurance system is outcomes. The Trump/Ryan hoax of a health insurance plan will produce outcomes that will place the US behind all of the developed world and many nations of the developing world. And there is nary a word on "Preventive Care", the one component of any health care system that can save lives and resources simultaneously.
The Federal Government of the United States is the only institution in our nation that can forge a national community. And Medicare is the one program that, aside from its practical benefits as health insurance, is a metaphor for just that.
Medicare is the most successful health insurance plan in American history. There is no "choice" of plans because such a "choice" is irrelevant. Why? Because no one can accurately predict what health issues individuals and families will face in the future. What is important is benefits, choice of doctors and hospitals and affordability. Medicare has excellent benefits, is affordable, covers 80% of all costs and a beneficiary can select his or her doctors and hospitals. It is, essentially, a "single Payer" plan for senior citizens. It is by far the most efficient of all plans, public and private. And it should be available for all.
The Federal Government of the United States is the only institution in our nation that can forge a national community. And Medicare is the one program that, aside from its practical benefits as health insurance, is a metaphor for just that.
Medicare is the most successful health insurance plan in American history. There is no "choice" of plans because such a "choice" is irrelevant. Why? Because no one can accurately predict what health issues individuals and families will face in the future. What is important is benefits, choice of doctors and hospitals and affordability. Medicare has excellent benefits, is affordable, covers 80% of all costs and a beneficiary can select his or her doctors and hospitals. It is, essentially, a "single Payer" plan for senior citizens. It is by far the most efficient of all plans, public and private. And it should be available for all.
Oh goody goody more dead and sick people to save 337B. Great as long as they are 24 million of the 60 million that gave us this knucklehead.
1
"Mr. Trump predicted that if the Republican plan is enacted, “you’ll see rates go down, down, down, and you’ll see plans go up, up, up.” He said it would be “a thing of beauty.”
Which is Trumpspeak for rates going up and coverage going down creating an ugly mess.
Which is Trumpspeak for rates going up and coverage going down creating an ugly mess.
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"Mr. Trump predicted that if the Republican plan is enacted, 'you'll see rates go down, down, down, and you’ll see plans go up, up, up.' He said it would be 'thing of beauty.'"
Take a minute to reflect on that statement. An informed heath care policy expert Trump is not. Republicans are -- justifiably so -- having a very difficult time selling their health care plan. If they still plan to stubbornly push ahead in the face of widespread opposition, they might think about keeping all cameras and microphones far, far away from our So-Called President.
Take a minute to reflect on that statement. An informed heath care policy expert Trump is not. Republicans are -- justifiably so -- having a very difficult time selling their health care plan. If they still plan to stubbornly push ahead in the face of widespread opposition, they might think about keeping all cameras and microphones far, far away from our So-Called President.
1
Two things...
First, I think the new plan is best described as a return to the "you're on your own" nothing we had before the ACA except with a nice tax cut for the very wealthy.
Second, is Sean Spicer wearing one black shoe and one brown shoe in the lead photo?
First, I think the new plan is best described as a return to the "you're on your own" nothing we had before the ACA except with a nice tax cut for the very wealthy.
Second, is Sean Spicer wearing one black shoe and one brown shoe in the lead photo?
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Kate,
First, yeppers, pretty much.
Second, it looks like Spicer has an open toe black sandal, like are used with foot injuries, and a blue sock on his right foot and, yes indeed, a brown shoe on his left.
First, yeppers, pretty much.
Second, it looks like Spicer has an open toe black sandal, like are used with foot injuries, and a blue sock on his right foot and, yes indeed, a brown shoe on his left.
There is no saving of billions of dollars. The headline is wrong. We are shifting costs to some payor other than the Federal Government. That payor will be us. And as individuals we don't have the resources to do what a well-run government program can. the trick is not to get government out of healthcare, it is to get effective governance into healthcare. Failing this, the human cost for us all will be huge.
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Wow! Just think how much we could save if we cut off all financial support to all citizens. We'd have tons of money to give tax cuts for the wealthy and even be able to fund World War III.
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To all the sanctimonious commenters moralizing about a few of your pennies going to Medicaid, keep in mind 40% of Medicaid recipients (soon the be 50% as the population ages) are the elderly in nursing homes. So you literally want to throw indigent grandmothers (and it's easy to become indigent if you need round-the-clock care) out in the street. Despicable!
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The people who are going to lose are the ones who usually get freebies...lazy sponges milking the system for all it's worth. Good.
The fact that they didn't hold any public hearings before marking up the Bill clearly signals that they know how malevolent it is. Just as with their climate and environmental policies, they have demonstrated that they will never let data and expert advice interfere with their mission of serving the biddings of the plutocrats.