Perhaps someday, if I am fantasizing a bit here, the hard-line conservative Republicans will realize that ideological purity does nothing for the common people who call themselves Republicans. Small government (to be drowned in a bathtub) and low taxes (especially for billionaires) is not practicable; having the security of decent health insurance is an enormous stress reliever for middle class and lower income people, and higher taxes on the enormously wealthy would allow important government actions (i.e. infrastructure re-building) to occur. But, like I said, this is fantasy as the House Republicans will adhere to ridiculous belief systems no matter what they hear from their constituents.
31
Fortunately, the Republicans fell into a pit of their own making. However, it is necessary for the Democrats to accept that there are efficiency and cost issues in the ACA, and to provide legislation that addresses remediation of them.
The Republican politically driven mantra of "repeal and replace," while continuing to claim that the main features of the ACA would be maintained (e,g., coverage) was on the level of claiming that defense authorizations should be stopped because of cost overruns and the purchase of dubious weapons systems.
By the way, is the apparently redundant layer of bureaucracy known as the Department of Homeland Security to be maintained? Couldn't the scarce intellectual and financial resources it absorbs be reallocated to the FBI, CIA and NSA. A comparative benefit/cost analysis seems to be overdue.
The Republican politically driven mantra of "repeal and replace," while continuing to claim that the main features of the ACA would be maintained (e,g., coverage) was on the level of claiming that defense authorizations should be stopped because of cost overruns and the purchase of dubious weapons systems.
By the way, is the apparently redundant layer of bureaucracy known as the Department of Homeland Security to be maintained? Couldn't the scarce intellectual and financial resources it absorbs be reallocated to the FBI, CIA and NSA. A comparative benefit/cost analysis seems to be overdue.
5
The past two months that have culminated in the failure of the Repubs to pass health care legislation has brought to light a few outcomes:
1.Our representatives listen to their constituents when we show up at town-hall meetings. Maybe this is the antidote to social media falsehoods.
2.Many Americans got a look at the alternative to the ACA and it's looking pretty good.
3.The Repubs’ argument that their “market-based” solutions are a-priori better than the Dems’ solutions is an opinion rather than a fact.
4.Trump is shown to be the Carnival Barker that he is – all talk but no substance. Yes, elections matter but so does the ability to govern.
In my opinion, this provides a small window of opportunity for the Dems in Washington to take the offensive by making the conversation about fixing the ACA. If Repubs don’t participate, they will give evidence that they care more about their political fight than about our health. President Trump said as much in his statement Friday night. I wonder how that will go over in the hinterlands. If they participate, they will acknowledge the value of the ACA, undermining their clarion call of its damage to America.
If the Dems play this right, they could take a stinging defeat for the Repubs and turn it into a victory for the progressive movement. In the process, they could improve health care for our country, which would be nice. Let’s give the ball to Senators Schumer, Warren and Sanders and see how far down the field they can take it.
1.Our representatives listen to their constituents when we show up at town-hall meetings. Maybe this is the antidote to social media falsehoods.
2.Many Americans got a look at the alternative to the ACA and it's looking pretty good.
3.The Repubs’ argument that their “market-based” solutions are a-priori better than the Dems’ solutions is an opinion rather than a fact.
4.Trump is shown to be the Carnival Barker that he is – all talk but no substance. Yes, elections matter but so does the ability to govern.
In my opinion, this provides a small window of opportunity for the Dems in Washington to take the offensive by making the conversation about fixing the ACA. If Repubs don’t participate, they will give evidence that they care more about their political fight than about our health. President Trump said as much in his statement Friday night. I wonder how that will go over in the hinterlands. If they participate, they will acknowledge the value of the ACA, undermining their clarion call of its damage to America.
If the Dems play this right, they could take a stinging defeat for the Repubs and turn it into a victory for the progressive movement. In the process, they could improve health care for our country, which would be nice. Let’s give the ball to Senators Schumer, Warren and Sanders and see how far down the field they can take it.
18
The problem for the Retrogressors has always been one of revelation. As long as they can hide in the shadows and find halfway respectable dupes to do carry out their Draconian and retrogressive wishes they are successful... (Proof? something like 3% of the people "own" 90% of the wealth. That's a pretty good batting average.)
However when they are forced to actually come forward and lay their agendas out in daylight, they lose and will continue to do so now. There is nothing like Light to cure disease.
The vast majority of the people are goodhearted and caring individuals. Their love for their children and each other extends to the whole community. People actually do want everyone to be healthy and have a good education and decent standard of living. The vast majority of humans deplore poverty and are willing to share to eliminate it.
It is the devolutionary few who oppose Life Liberty and Justice for EVERYONE.
Their time is rapidly coming to a close.
However when they are forced to actually come forward and lay their agendas out in daylight, they lose and will continue to do so now. There is nothing like Light to cure disease.
The vast majority of the people are goodhearted and caring individuals. Their love for their children and each other extends to the whole community. People actually do want everyone to be healthy and have a good education and decent standard of living. The vast majority of humans deplore poverty and are willing to share to eliminate it.
It is the devolutionary few who oppose Life Liberty and Justice for EVERYONE.
Their time is rapidly coming to a close.
9
It failed because congressional reps didn't want to face their angry constituents again. The actual people they're supposed to represent. How's that for fear?
14
#1- Little understanding of any details of the plans
#2- spent most of the time at his golf club
#3- Insulted and threatened his supporters.
#4- Plan was all about politics and tax cuts not about health care.
#4- An out of touch uninterested man . He noted that he could not understand why the repubs were against abortion but voted against the plan since it got rid of Planned parenthood. Everyone should know PP cannot use public tax money for abortions, its against the law (Hyde law). PP serves the poor with gov't money, no abortions allowed. Trump? No clue.
#2- spent most of the time at his golf club
#3- Insulted and threatened his supporters.
#4- Plan was all about politics and tax cuts not about health care.
#4- An out of touch uninterested man . He noted that he could not understand why the repubs were against abortion but voted against the plan since it got rid of Planned parenthood. Everyone should know PP cannot use public tax money for abortions, its against the law (Hyde law). PP serves the poor with gov't money, no abortions allowed. Trump? No clue.
26
What if insurance companies could offer a choice of ACA or AHCA coverage?
Then the proof would really be in the pudding.
Then the proof would really be in the pudding.
7
Paul Ryan's comment at the press conference says it all, "You've heard me say this before: moving from an opposition Party to a governing party..." That is all they are about--Opposition. The press should replay this until it starts to sink in to the American people. It's what Obama and the Democrats have had to deal with for the past 8 years!!!! And it looks like Republicans haven't come up with an antidote for their virus since they are still a dysfunctional body. Unfortunate for the us, the American people, since we are the ones who suffer from their partisan antics.
18
"a display of incompetence and cruelty" seems to be the order of the day for this administration. Those words could describe his immigration policy as well.
25
It's breathtaking that the outrage over what the Republicans are attempting to do is not more fever-pitched.
Denial of health care results in the deaths of thousands of humans. The suffering of children. Broken lives and families.
But yet, many act as if it's simply a political game of football or worse. However, the Republicans will use the fear of ISIS or illegal immigrants over and over again and millions of voters will believe that is more of a just and urgent cause versus the millions of everyday lives that will be effected on a higher grandiose scale due to the denial of healthcare.
It's hard to believe what has made so many in American ideologically cruel.
Denial of health care results in the deaths of thousands of humans. The suffering of children. Broken lives and families.
But yet, many act as if it's simply a political game of football or worse. However, the Republicans will use the fear of ISIS or illegal immigrants over and over again and millions of voters will believe that is more of a just and urgent cause versus the millions of everyday lives that will be effected on a higher grandiose scale due to the denial of healthcare.
It's hard to believe what has made so many in American ideologically cruel.
30
This is ALL on the vote no democrats. They now truly own this monstrosity called Obamacare. Watch it implode of its own weight. Soon democrats will beg for repeal. The Art of the Deal.
The editors write, “Mr. Trump, Mr. Ryan and their colleagues have never had a workable plan that could gain the support of a congressional majority.”
In February Former House Speaker John Boehner said, “In the 25 years that I served in the United States Congress, Republicans never, ever, one time agreed on what a health care proposal should look like. Not once.”
Mr. Boehner retired in 2015, so it’s fair to say Republicans have never agreed on what a health care proposal should look like in 27 years. Not once. That does not bode well for any future GOP proposals.
House Speaker Paul Ryan yesterday: “I don’t know what else to say other than Obamacare is the law of the land. It’ll remain law of the land until it’s replaced.” Sounds like until means never.
In February Former House Speaker John Boehner said, “In the 25 years that I served in the United States Congress, Republicans never, ever, one time agreed on what a health care proposal should look like. Not once.”
Mr. Boehner retired in 2015, so it’s fair to say Republicans have never agreed on what a health care proposal should look like in 27 years. Not once. That does not bode well for any future GOP proposals.
House Speaker Paul Ryan yesterday: “I don’t know what else to say other than Obamacare is the law of the land. It’ll remain law of the land until it’s replaced.” Sounds like until means never.
10
I am reminded of Winston Churchill's comment that Democracy is the absolute worst form of government - until you consider all the others. The Affordable Care Act similarly is the absolute worst idea for health care - until you consider the others.
Time for the grownups: Let Senator Sanders negotiate with Speaker Ryan's designated Congressmen (perhaps Dent and Frelinghuysen) and come up with the one alternative that would allow Republicans to repeal the ACA while improving health care in America.
Time for the grownups: Let Senator Sanders negotiate with Speaker Ryan's designated Congressmen (perhaps Dent and Frelinghuysen) and come up with the one alternative that would allow Republicans to repeal the ACA while improving health care in America.
1
Is there any doubt whatsoever that the Republican/Trump response to the failure of their horrible bill will be to organize an all out strategy and effort to sabotage Obamacare in order to 1) get rid of it; 2) be able to dupe Americans into believing they were right when they lied and said it was imploding?
I have no doubt about that at all. Trump is, for a builder, a very destructive person when it comes to other people, and the GOP has become not the party of Jesus Christ but of Ayn Rand (hence their hiding behind Christ in rhetoric).
I have no doubt about that at all. Trump is, for a builder, a very destructive person when it comes to other people, and the GOP has become not the party of Jesus Christ but of Ayn Rand (hence their hiding behind Christ in rhetoric).
14
Trump tripped and fell into a vast pool of ice-cold karma, not a rope or life ring in sight, but plenty of fellow Republicans to keep him company, treading karma.
Or maybe it's just that kool-aid the GOP has been serving up all these years.
Or maybe it's just that kool-aid the GOP has been serving up all these years.
5
The other day, I heard a GOP legislator say 7 times over a two minute interview how bad the ACA is and that it's failed. That's gone on for years without hardly a word of support for the bill from Democrats. Wake up, Democrats. Even this yahoo in Indiana can see an opportunity to use this GOP defeat to promote this bill and foster health care for all Americans.
11
It's time for trump, the great deal maker, to include all the people in the deal. So far all he has done is include his supporters and, at times ,the GOP. If he would include the DEM's in his deal making he, and the rest of the country, could forget about the far left and right. I listened to Chuck Schumer right after this happened and he made a lot of scene. Focus not of repeal, but repair. Trump really needs to grow up and start acting like the President, he is the president of all of America, not just the people who voted for him. So far he is SAD, VERY SAD!!
4
Tom Price and his coterie of angry white men will try to chip away at ACA to make it fail. Mark my words.
21
If any legislation is ever passed and signed into law by the "president" it will be tainted by illegitimacy for any number of reasons. Take your pick. Bannons plan to deconstruct the administrative state has already succeeded in that regard. Kudos
3
I know this is not the moment for it, but will this country ever admit that we need to ration health care? Universal health care is desirable, but we can't have universal and unlimited care. So well laid out here, in what seems like the last time someone dared to utter the "R word": http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/19/magazine/19healthcare-t.html?pagewante...
1
I noticed in the article's accompanying photograph, the book on trump's desk is, Medal of Honor. Is he researching how to get one? He had 5 deferments. What are his chances?
6
The democrats now need to go on offense by offering a set of upgrades and improvements to improve the ACA and be seen as starting to fix the problems that we all know are there. This will give them a platform to call out the Trump administration when they take actions to undermine the ACA.
11
Trump who won in life only through dubious means, has finally come to the ground after flying high in the sky for a long time.
His promises in all his campaign stops that "I'll repeal and replace Obamacare on my first day in the office", is going to haunt him forever as all the media channels are already playing his campaign hubris again and again.
And they're going to do so for the rest of Trump's reign.
The biggest challenge for Trump is what he's going to tell his very hardcore supporters who voted for him thinking he was going to clear the swamp in Washington.
But with one defeat after another in his extreme legislative agendas, Trump is in a real bind as how to convince his supporters that he still can deliver the goods.
Many of his supporters who were immensely benefited by Obamacare were just hoping that he'd keep all the benefits from A.C.A. but just change the name to Trumpcare.
Those supporters never wanted to be denied medical care when the visited the hospitals and clinics.
But with the new American Health Care Act, that 's exactly what would've happened to 24 million Americans when they would've been turned away for lack of any insurance.
And once all the Americans came to know the secret behind this new healthcare act, that is to give a huge tax cuts to the rich and wealthy at the expense of putting all the 'grandmas and grandpas' on the death bed, they revolted.
They went to all the Republican congress members' town hall meetings to shut them down.
His promises in all his campaign stops that "I'll repeal and replace Obamacare on my first day in the office", is going to haunt him forever as all the media channels are already playing his campaign hubris again and again.
And they're going to do so for the rest of Trump's reign.
The biggest challenge for Trump is what he's going to tell his very hardcore supporters who voted for him thinking he was going to clear the swamp in Washington.
But with one defeat after another in his extreme legislative agendas, Trump is in a real bind as how to convince his supporters that he still can deliver the goods.
Many of his supporters who were immensely benefited by Obamacare were just hoping that he'd keep all the benefits from A.C.A. but just change the name to Trumpcare.
Those supporters never wanted to be denied medical care when the visited the hospitals and clinics.
But with the new American Health Care Act, that 's exactly what would've happened to 24 million Americans when they would've been turned away for lack of any insurance.
And once all the Americans came to know the secret behind this new healthcare act, that is to give a huge tax cuts to the rich and wealthy at the expense of putting all the 'grandmas and grandpas' on the death bed, they revolted.
They went to all the Republican congress members' town hall meetings to shut them down.
9
I went to a die-in yesterday, where people stood up and talked about the lifesaving nature of Obamacare in their own lives, and we all lay down in the grass with tombstone-style poster boards. It was incredibly moving.
This was the result of people power - all over the country. We didn't know when we started thousands of Indivisible and other groups all across the country - but we started something huge.
We are saving our country, saving our lives. Saving our world. We can be proud of what we've done in the past few months since that horrid November election. We are standing up and saying truth to power. Yelling truth to power: Hell, no!
Power to the people. All power to all the people. America lives! Look out, world, we won't stand for this. Watch us - you can do it, too! We are showing you how to do it, and nothing can stop us now.
World, you can do this, too!
This was the result of people power - all over the country. We didn't know when we started thousands of Indivisible and other groups all across the country - but we started something huge.
We are saving our country, saving our lives. Saving our world. We can be proud of what we've done in the past few months since that horrid November election. We are standing up and saying truth to power. Yelling truth to power: Hell, no!
Power to the people. All power to all the people. America lives! Look out, world, we won't stand for this. Watch us - you can do it, too! We are showing you how to do it, and nothing can stop us now.
World, you can do this, too!
8
"the great dealmaker at the White House was completely ineffectual." Friday afternoon and evening cable news networks kept bringing up "The Art of the Deal" and 45's skills at negotiating. Of course, 45 didn't write the book-Tony Schwartz did. Maybe our SCOTUS should have given Mr. Schwartz a ring and gotten some pointers on deal-crafting.
4
Good that the Times is calling this mess TrumpRyanCare. It's Ryan who dreams at night about taking insurance away from the poor. His name needs to be permanently attached to this mean-spirited effort so that it is remembered 3 years from now when Ryan tries to run for President.
8
The Republican elephants finally had the trough to themselves, all set for a gorging; but, as it goes in the "elephant-eat-elephant" world, they ended up eating each other.
Now get on with it, democrats, push, demand single-payer for all.
Now get on with it, democrats, push, demand single-payer for all.
4
You say 'Debacle', I say 'Deluded'. Let's call the whole thing off.
1
I believe members were thinking about not only the Quinnipiac poll but also the calls from constituents they were getting while they were deciding whether to oppose the bill.
2
Key here is that the Republican "plan" -- if it passed -- was strategically not to start until 2020, so Americans were going to be, to quote the president, "stuck with" Obamacare for three more years. What had the GOP planned to do with it during those three years? Support it or destroy it, and the health of their own people?
1
Maybe the narrative ought to include the idea that the system is working. "Obamacare" remains because it is better than anything else proposed to date. The failure of Ryan/Trump is our win.
2
May be that the Healthcare needs to go the NATO way!. ..with Everyone Contributing from 0.25 to 0.75%, or hypothetically say 0.5% of their Monthly income towards a Universal Healthcare Plan (or even a Tax or a Special Cess Fund). Well, the Rich may get a Five Star Treatment for their Significant Contribution, while the Middle, Lower Middle and the Lower income Contributors would all get the Healthcare Benefits, but with Lower Stars or with Lesser Comfort or Luxury Levels. ..and just like what happens in this Hospitality Business.
Spicer's analogy to sports in saying Trump left it all out on the field does not hold up. Trump's feeble last minute effort to talk to congress is more akin to a football team discovering itself in the super bowl without having ever played a game, held a practice, or learned the rules of the game.
5
Well that fiasco is out of the way, so let's move on to other legislation that will show the American people we have their back. Like a budget that will punish.....The less well off and suffering. Like a tax reform that will predominantly benefit....the wealthy. Like a public-private infrastructure plan that will benefit.... corporations and result in more tolls for everyday Americans. The Republicans and Trump said over and over they would help the little person, left behind after the recession. Keep telling them that. They fell for it once, they'll fall for it again. Nice of them to do all the hard work for the Democrats in 2018.
2
Please don't insult the American Turkey, a majestic animal B.Franklin chose for the national bird. Trump's health care bill was a despicable deception - a marked contrast to the character of our bird friends.
1
In my 70's and jumping up and down with glee. If those Republicans can't repeal the ACA, looks pretty safe for us on Medicare.
Have to keep a watchful eye on them though., they're a dangerous lot.
Have to keep a watchful eye on them though., they're a dangerous lot.
7
The GOP's attack on the social safety net began in the 1990s and has been sustained and directed by zillionaire ideologues like the Koch brothers. Who gave these people the right to prescribe social policy for the nation? Why should anybody listen to them? I ask my Republican friends if they want to destroy Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, and they say no. Maybe the GOP will reevaluate its goals and realize that social Darwinism is crazy and stupid. Maybe.
4
Please do not insult turkeys, truly magnificent animals.
1
Now that this minute's crisis is over, perhaps the Democrats can PROVE they deserve the next election by proposing a couple judicious FIXES to Obamacare that encourage the American people to demand single payer, Medicare for all system. Strike while the iron is hot (before the Bully-in-Chief can ascend his pulpit again) and propose DETAILED, COMPREHENSIVE legislation that will treat healthcare as a human right with access to all, by all and for all. Pay for it with tax increases to capital gains rates, removing executive pay and lobbying deductions, fining companies that outsource jobs overseas and DECREASING military spending. Have the CBO and OMB vet it thoroughly, build public and medical provider concensus through and at the grass roots level. Organize and ride this huge POPULIST plan into the 2020 midterms. You'll have to do it over the objections of the Kochs, Big Insurance and Pharma, but if you don't turn your back on corporate donors who are holding America hostage then you will never regain the trust and backing of the American people. Nothing will show the contrast between the Party of Big Money and the Party of the People more than a concrete proposal to ensure every human being is worth saving and investing in. We must do what the 32 top industrial nations do: prioritize healthier, happier and securer lives for its citizens: it's CHEAPER and BETTER for society. GOVERNING is about making sacrifices for the common good, not enriching your friends.
4
Perhaps a repeal of the entire Trump Fiasco is in order? Then maybe Congress' approval rating will rise above that of dandruff.
3
Democracy won! Those New England style town meetings of yore came back with a vegnence. Lets not forget that the people rose up and spoke and that is the fundamental reason the GOP lost big and reason was restored. That may be the beast thing that happened in this whole debacle. " Our Revolution." You bet. Keep it coming. Government may be on its way back to the folks after all.
3
Dare I hope Trump and the GOP will just be too incompetent to accomplish anything?
I mean, who knew governing is complicated?
Come on 2018. Let's change the majorities.
I mean, who knew governing is complicated?
Come on 2018. Let's change the majorities.
2
ROFL. And the contortions of Republicans trying to defend defeat.
Hey loser Republicans: only Loser-Losers don't accept defeat.
Now the gloat is good but the reality is better: Republicans can't govern. It was on full display all week. And has been evident to any of us without a blind-eye since forever.
Just like hiring a reality teevee real estate mogul with no political experience into the Presidency of the United States leaves us with 1 outcome: 'americans' are not really that good, are they? If you weren't afraid...buy gold?
Hey loser Republicans: only Loser-Losers don't accept defeat.
Now the gloat is good but the reality is better: Republicans can't govern. It was on full display all week. And has been evident to any of us without a blind-eye since forever.
Just like hiring a reality teevee real estate mogul with no political experience into the Presidency of the United States leaves us with 1 outcome: 'americans' are not really that good, are they? If you weren't afraid...buy gold?
1
There was no national plan to sell the replacement of the ACA. No constituent wanted it, no constituent needed it, and no Administration representative tried to sell them on why the ACA needed to be replaced. The empty slogans that the ACA is failing and imploding are false. No House member could sell the empty platitudes to the people who voted for Trump; those who actually need the ACA. That's the crazy thing about these dumb republicans. They thought that "the people" would rather pay for their "CHOICE" of health insurance (which is no coverage but that is their choice) than a government sponsored and paid for health insurance plan. Obviously they were wrong, wrong, wrong. The working class people of the country who voted in the Republican ran Congress and Administration are only no realizing the empty bill of goods they bought on election day. They want change, but not to their benefits, and they don't want or can afford to pay for it.
1
"...unified Republican government..." The oxymoron of the year. And only two months in... I don't think there's enough popcorn on the planet to get us through the next two months. Never mind....well, you know.
1
The real lesson here is that it's easy to break things in government. It's hard - very hard - to build things.
Trump and his ilk are going to spend four years (maybe) trashing the joint. It will be painful to watch. But a bunch of splintered furniture and smashed china isn't much of a legacy to leave our kids or our country.
Trump and his ilk are going to spend four years (maybe) trashing the joint. It will be painful to watch. But a bunch of splintered furniture and smashed china isn't much of a legacy to leave our kids or our country.
5
It amazes me that the very people who would have been most affected by the now defeated effort to repeal Obamacare voted for Trump. What does that say about the intelligence of people who vote against their own interests?
5
The real winner in this debacle is people who need coverage through Medicaid.
Damaging/limiting Medicaid was the real target of this lousy legislation in addition to giving the rich tax cuts.
Damaging/limiting Medicaid was the real target of this lousy legislation in addition to giving the rich tax cuts.
3
Pres Trump admitted he never realized healthcare was so complicated, clearly never took the time to master the details of either the ACA or Mr Ryan's cruel bill, gave up very popular common sense parts of the ACA in hopes of winning over extremists and then gave up the whole endeavor in no time when it was all too hard, and the blamed others.
We really do have a problem.
We really do have a problem.
3
Repeal. No "replace". Let the free market reign.
That's the trap the GOP fell into: The listen to the Dems and media, concentrating on the minority of Americans who, for various reasons,can't get health insurance.
Concentrate on the 90% of Americans who have had their healthcare system destroyed by Obamacare and the Dems.
That's the trap the GOP fell into: The listen to the Dems and media, concentrating on the minority of Americans who, for various reasons,can't get health insurance.
Concentrate on the 90% of Americans who have had their healthcare system destroyed by Obamacare and the Dems.
2
Trump = shame, lame, and blame in that order.
Always loses, to attorney generals and judges in multiple states.
Can't win a simple negotiation with his own party mates.
Under investigation by the FBI.
Always loses, to attorney generals and judges in multiple states.
Can't win a simple negotiation with his own party mates.
Under investigation by the FBI.
3
Three old white guys. All with some twisted version of reality and view of the female half of the species. Not all old white guys are them, myself and at least a few others I know.
It is already patently what is wrong with 45. Price is a doctor? What happened to the Hippocratic oath? Pence is a Christian fanatic. In Indiana, he redirects public money into private Christian madrasas.
What kind of humane bill could possibly emanate from these guys? Well now we know.
It is already patently what is wrong with 45. Price is a doctor? What happened to the Hippocratic oath? Pence is a Christian fanatic. In Indiana, he redirects public money into private Christian madrasas.
What kind of humane bill could possibly emanate from these guys? Well now we know.
9
This ain't over, kids. The American Death Panel of T-rump, Pence, McConnell, Ryan and Price are still sitting in the Russian bought seats of power, and we are all in danger of losing our access to care.
5
If EVERYONE, MSM and people, STOP calling this OBAMACARE. It's the AFFORDABLE CARE ACT. Why do I say this? Because research has already (in the New York Times no less, on Feb 7, 2017 in THIS PAPER) that one third of the populace did not know that they were one and the same. If you believe in the ACA or you believe, as I do, that it needs work across parties for the indivduals stuck in poor markets or have ridiculous premiums, you will do all a FAVOR by stopping the mis-nomer. Those 1/3 of the populace are Obama HATERS but ACA lovers. Let's not continually add fuel to their fire. Thank you.
11
The Republican Party has proven it is only capable of obstruction and of looking out for corporations and the 1%. In every other aspect of good governing skills they fail.
Just look at the photo of these three loosers. Sad!
Just look at the photo of these three loosers. Sad!
2
Battle won. Now Impeach the Russian troll and his crew of kleptocrats before they do any more damage and either give the office to Hillary, the real victor ,or Joe Biden or hold a new election. Time to run this GOP rot to the ground.
1
Nick, a flaw in your argument: a lot of resistance is coming from rightwing teaparty crackpots like my rep who DON'T WANT ANY healthcare at all. trumpcare wasn't meanspirited enough for them. And frankly, trump just doesn't have the horsepower to impress them.
3
Chump care is down for the count. Obama rope a doped the Republicans till they said no mas. Even Bernie, The Russians, and the FBI couldn't help them this time.
This was a victory for Hillary and President Obama.
This was a victory for Hillary and President Obama.
2
The ACA definitely has its flaws. But the answer to repairing those flaws is to address them individually and come up with workable solutions that do less harm than this monstrosity of a cruel, heartless bill did. Democrats - and Obama himself - agree that there are areas for improvement in the ACA. Unlike our President, they knew, from the monumental effort it took to craft it, "how complicated health care can be." But because the right in this country will never see the advantages of a single-payer health insurance system, a step-by-step revision of the ACA is our best hope for maintaining coverage for as many Americans as possible.
4
Chump care is down for the count.
2
It failed because the ultra conservative Freedom Caucus didn't think it was cruel or cynical enough.
7
If he weakens the ACA, it becomes his new Trumpcare. He can't blame his predecessor.
6
Nothing represents the fraudulence of the Republicans better than this. Voting five dozen times to repeal, when those votes were meaningless.
4
Sadly, when your Chief Executive of the most powerful country on the earth is simply a COWARD, and many of the people who stand with him, how on earth can we ever succeed in any form. That said, I agree, lets just keep up relentless badgering of this cowardice man until he falls.
5
It is no longer the ACA. It is now the TDC. Trump Don't Care!
2
I haven't felt this good about the country since the day before the election.
7
" Surely, many of them were also thinking "
........
you give way too much credit to biology for having given them a brain. Clearly, if they had one, they would have thought about their neighbors (sorry, I forgot they ALL live in gated communities and don't rub shoulders with ordinary people except at town meetings which they now hold via a computer so that they don't have to soil themselves with germs, and other filth associated with their constituents)....................................
........
you give way too much credit to biology for having given them a brain. Clearly, if they had one, they would have thought about their neighbors (sorry, I forgot they ALL live in gated communities and don't rub shoulders with ordinary people except at town meetings which they now hold via a computer so that they don't have to soil themselves with germs, and other filth associated with their constituents)....................................
2
Trump could still win on Healthcare. He could chose to claim that he faced down the right who threatened to wipe out access for 24 milion people and he could chose to work with the dems and moderate republicans to fix the problems with the ACA as it stands today. Better healthcare for all - Victory! Or of course he could chose to resign and go back to his guilded tower and leave the rest of us in peace - neither is very likely, I'm afraid.
1
I think it's all a matter of nomenclature. Simply stop using the name "Obamacare," for the ACA, and it's popularity will rise. Half of the country didn't much care for President Obama (despite his competence) so, by transference, they don't like the health care law that bears his name. Heck, if you want the President to embrace the ACA, just rename it Trumpcare (you don't have to change a thing) and he'd be all in. He likes giving himself credit for stuff. But "Obamacare's" got to go. Too many strings attached. Give the ACA a conservative tweak of some kind, rename it The Consensus Health Care Act, and violà.
2
When the fox is set to guard the henhouse the hens are very glad that the fox is not smart or capable and is easily distracted.
If Trump were smart he would improve and re-brand Obamacare. But that's probably too bigly an if.
2
What has DT been able to accomplish in his first days?
Immigration ban- not happening
Wall being paid for by Mexico-not happening
Repeal and replace the ACA- not happening
The only deal DT has come close to doing is to prove his loyalty to Putin as per prior agreements with his Russian handlers.
This is just another proof that the GOP cannot legislate and have no idea how to do it or anything close to governing. All they know to do is t go on talk shows and obstruct, obstruct, obstruct. Face it- they're dolts.
The only thing DT knows how to do is political rallies and to spend taxpayer money on his excessive travel for him and his family's business trips.
Sad.
Immigration ban- not happening
Wall being paid for by Mexico-not happening
Repeal and replace the ACA- not happening
The only deal DT has come close to doing is to prove his loyalty to Putin as per prior agreements with his Russian handlers.
This is just another proof that the GOP cannot legislate and have no idea how to do it or anything close to governing. All they know to do is t go on talk shows and obstruct, obstruct, obstruct. Face it- they're dolts.
The only thing DT knows how to do is political rallies and to spend taxpayer money on his excessive travel for him and his family's business trips.
Sad.
3
I wonder what it's like to be John Boehner today. Watching Paul Ryan, who has exactly zero legislative accomplishments, bumble around and be tripped by the Cruelty Caucus that gave him the gavel must be immensely satisfying.
Make no mistake about the other Republicans. They didn't oppose the bill because it's cruel or fiscally irresponsible, they did it because their seats can actually be lost. The Cruelty Caucus's ability to be evil comes from their inability to lose a general election. Gerrymandering is a cancer that's destroying the republic.
Make no mistake about the other Republicans. They didn't oppose the bill because it's cruel or fiscally irresponsible, they did it because their seats can actually be lost. The Cruelty Caucus's ability to be evil comes from their inability to lose a general election. Gerrymandering is a cancer that's destroying the republic.
3
Republicans hate the ACA because of the Obama name attached to it. But there are the ones they gave it that name. They tried to slandered by touching his name to it. By trying to erase President Obama from the history books they have now in enshrined to him in the hall of fame forever. He more loved and admired now and will continue to grow essteem forever.
4
The editors write, “Mr. Trump, Mr. Ryan and their colleagues have never had a workable plan that could gain the support of a congressional majority.” In February Former House Speaker John Boehner said, “In the 25 years that I served in the United States Congress, Republicans never, ever, one time agreed on what a health care proposal should look like.” Mr. Boehner retired in 2015, so it’s fair to say Republicans have never agreed on what a health care proposal should look like in at least 27 years. Thus it appears repealing, replacing, or improving Obamacare will not happen if it is left to GOP to do so.
1
I'm just relieved. That this one cliff-hanger vote is "over."
But the terrible tension in my whole body - that so many needy people would be left with basically nothing - has now been turned into complete exhaustion. Exhaustion from the horrors of the primaries and the general. Exhaustion from the shock of the Electoral result. Exhaustion from all the scandals, the investigations, the shame and disgust of having an ugly, spiteful, glowering face plastered all over blogs and media sites. A face that I firmly believe is toxic for my mental health, causing untold damage to neurons, brains, our very lives.
Yes, Dems, please write up a beautiful universal healthcare bill. Along with all the benefits to people, business, our nation's future. Even if you only introduce the bill, and it goes no further now, let us readers clamor for Press coverage, Editorials, OpEds, long comment threads.
Let's also write up and introduce other bills. Bills for daycare, public education, all the way up to college. Let's dream of better infrastructure, a better Justice system, true voting reform and non-gerrymandered districts with enough ways and places to vote. Better prisons with fewer prisoners. Take the time to have bills ready to go, to educate voters.
We the People have won one battle. Let's sketch out the entire battlefield. Let's show what a caring nation can be and become. We can do it!
But the terrible tension in my whole body - that so many needy people would be left with basically nothing - has now been turned into complete exhaustion. Exhaustion from the horrors of the primaries and the general. Exhaustion from the shock of the Electoral result. Exhaustion from all the scandals, the investigations, the shame and disgust of having an ugly, spiteful, glowering face plastered all over blogs and media sites. A face that I firmly believe is toxic for my mental health, causing untold damage to neurons, brains, our very lives.
Yes, Dems, please write up a beautiful universal healthcare bill. Along with all the benefits to people, business, our nation's future. Even if you only introduce the bill, and it goes no further now, let us readers clamor for Press coverage, Editorials, OpEds, long comment threads.
Let's also write up and introduce other bills. Bills for daycare, public education, all the way up to college. Let's dream of better infrastructure, a better Justice system, true voting reform and non-gerrymandered districts with enough ways and places to vote. Better prisons with fewer prisoners. Take the time to have bills ready to go, to educate voters.
We the People have won one battle. Let's sketch out the entire battlefield. Let's show what a caring nation can be and become. We can do it!
6
If we had a Congress that was focused on how best to ensure that more Americans can get care, and take care of their families, we'd use ACA as a platform and make adjustments that minimize cost of care delivery. Maybe that would include some Republican ideas, like allowing companies to participate across state lines. Maybe we could stop treating lifesaving drugs as commodities to be traded like stocks after prices have been jacked up. even for long time generics, just because they are essential. Maybe it would include making facilities and health services report their prices. Or maybe providing essential access and standard services, but making people buy a luxury policy for new drugs that cost 100s of thousands of dollars per course of treatment. Inovation and rising cost will not stop. Until we have reasonable profit margins for things that are essential, we are all just mandatory consumers at the whim of others profits.
4
Health care is complicated, and funding it even more so.
Yet the United States has been so far behind the rest of the developed world in figuring out how to protect its citizens and to embrace the concept that health care is a fundamental human right. The ACA was a tentative, though imperfect step in that direction, and those of us who disparaged it did so because it still left you far behind what we have achieved in countries like my own.
That the United States has allowed itself to sink to the Republican aspiration to overthrow even that imperfect response is astonishing. That you have failed offers the slightest glimmer of hope that you have a place in shaping the he roiling challenges of the 21st century.
Where are those who can lead you in the complex world we all now inhabit?
Yet the United States has been so far behind the rest of the developed world in figuring out how to protect its citizens and to embrace the concept that health care is a fundamental human right. The ACA was a tentative, though imperfect step in that direction, and those of us who disparaged it did so because it still left you far behind what we have achieved in countries like my own.
That the United States has allowed itself to sink to the Republican aspiration to overthrow even that imperfect response is astonishing. That you have failed offers the slightest glimmer of hope that you have a place in shaping the he roiling challenges of the 21st century.
Where are those who can lead you in the complex world we all now inhabit?
7
I do not think it's possible to "withdraw a bill". You can cancel a scheduled vote or other procedure, but once a bill is introduced, it's introduced. Please check, and clarify your wording.
The healthcare debacle is a carryover from the last century. It is not new. If only instead of the useless Vietnam war, then presidents Johnson and Nixon had developed a US government managed infrastructure of hospitals and clinics and a cadre (or army) of trained nurses and doctors to span across our land to take care of all Americans who could not afford private insurance to cover their health care, we would not have a failure of Hillary Clinton to introduce universal health care in the 90s and the Obamacare which her husband Bill Clinton calls it the craziest system in the world and which is gradually spiraling towards an abyss followed by a silly attempt by the Congressional Republicans minus the conservative tea party Republicans to repeal and replace Obamacare that ended in a debacle. Obamacare has got a breather for sure but that is only to extend its eventual demise. No matter how much tax payers pump oxygen to resuscitate Obamacare, the oxygen will be insufficient because the greedy private insurers are going to keeping sucking up that oxygen. Trump and Ryan may have had a good intention to have a better replacement of Obamacare introduced but as long as there is a group of Republicans who do not think it is worthwhile to have universal healthcare at escalating cost to the tax payers and it is more urgent to jack up military spending on hardware, the saga of debacle will continue beyond our life time. Govt.need to take the bull by its horn and manage healthcare.
1
How's that 'we need a businessman to run the nation' thingy working out for you? The elevation of business people to God like status in the United States of Central North America. Business people general know their business well but I would suggest they don't know much about civilization. And given the cruelty of the republican doctors and lawyers elected in the south, there should be some professional investigations of their commitment to their oaths of professionalism.
7 years to come up with something. 7 years! That should tell you everything!
7 years to come up with something. 7 years! That should tell you everything!
1
The democrats could try to be the adults in the room and instead of gloating offer to work with trump and party to improve ACA.
1
Is it really so hard to develop a bi-partisan health care plan? Really?
Are congressmen incapable of talking with people with other points of view?
Maybe that is the problem.... the "men" after the predicate congress
Are congressmen incapable of talking with people with other points of view?
Maybe that is the problem.... the "men" after the predicate congress
1
Jim, Rob, Alice, Christy, Charles, David, Robert, Rupert, and Jack, if taxed like the Middle Class, could fix SS and pay for a single payer healthcare plan for every American. Maximilien Robespierre knew how to persuade them to do so.
2
Despite their ceaseless attacks on Obamacare, Republicans leaders never had a workable replacement, so Obamacare will fall apart on its own.
When I saw the out of pocket premiums for a 64 YO, I protested, called and wrote post cards to my representatives. How could someone pay $14K on a $25K income? Ryan's heartless plan wouldn't kill me, but his plan would kill plenty of others. How could they possibly call this better than the ACA?
2
This is not a debacle, but more an indication that Republicans do care for people.
The easy solution would have been to simply repeal Obamacare. The harder part is to not allow Obamacare to fail.
We are now stuck waiting for Obamacare to implode, which it will.
Hopefully, the result will be a bipartisan push to craft a workable bill grudgingly supported by both parties.
The easy solution would have been to simply repeal Obamacare. The harder part is to not allow Obamacare to fail.
We are now stuck waiting for Obamacare to implode, which it will.
Hopefully, the result will be a bipartisan push to craft a workable bill grudgingly supported by both parties.
2
It amazes me, and pleases, that so many Republican Representatives voted no because of the "immense damage" the AHCA would have caused. Does this mean they will also change their positions towards tax "reform", the environment, climate change, labor unions, and the public sector? I think not. They are only concerned with "immense damage" when they get caught red-handed causing the immense damage. So good job main-stream media and engaged citizens. Good job. Thank you all. Don't stop.
Big things (e.g. Going to war) require bipartisan planning and approval to be effective. It's time for all "moderates" to step forward, then sit down together, and work out the path forward. Finally wisdom is needed ( temporarily in short supply).
There's a health care plan, not insurance, that can get enough moderate republicans and democrats on board and pass. Medicare expansion to everyone. Insurance could be to cover private hospital room, additional tests to satisfy weary patients and treatments in clinical trials, among other perks.
1
The failure of the Republican health care bill leaves me with a bit of hope. On Thursday, constitutents around the country overwhelmed their legislators' offices with pleas to abandon that cruel folly. On Friday, at about the same time my bit of hope arrived, I also read an excellent Chris Hedges piece, reprinted on Bill Moyers' website. Its title:
A LAST CHANCE FOR RESISTANCE.
This country is in desperate danger of falling into fascism and we must continue to do what we did on Thursday -- LET THE GOP KNOW WE NOTICE WHAT THEY ARE DOING.
http://billmoyers.com/story/american-democracy-last-chance-for-resistance/
A LAST CHANCE FOR RESISTANCE.
This country is in desperate danger of falling into fascism and we must continue to do what we did on Thursday -- LET THE GOP KNOW WE NOTICE WHAT THEY ARE DOING.
http://billmoyers.com/story/american-democracy-last-chance-for-resistance/
1
Mr. Trump's incompetence as a political leader was the leading cause of this disaster. We haven't seen the last of it.
Throughout his career, the thought of compromise has never crossed his mind, and probably never will. He's used to making promises to make a deal, whether he can or will keep them or not. Those promises reflect Trump's ideas alone, no one else, not Republicans, not the people.
During the campaign he made healthcare promises that Paul Ryan had no hope and no interest in meeting. Health care that is "better, cheaper, for all Americans." Ryan just wanted to repeal the ACA. Ryan attempted to put together a bill that would give lip service to the President's promises, couldn't get adequate support, and failed miserably.
We're due to see this repeatedly during the Trump Presidency. The Art of the Deal means shoving your ideas down other people's throats, not compromise that will win Congressional votes.
Throughout his career, the thought of compromise has never crossed his mind, and probably never will. He's used to making promises to make a deal, whether he can or will keep them or not. Those promises reflect Trump's ideas alone, no one else, not Republicans, not the people.
During the campaign he made healthcare promises that Paul Ryan had no hope and no interest in meeting. Health care that is "better, cheaper, for all Americans." Ryan just wanted to repeal the ACA. Ryan attempted to put together a bill that would give lip service to the President's promises, couldn't get adequate support, and failed miserably.
We're due to see this repeatedly during the Trump Presidency. The Art of the Deal means shoving your ideas down other people's throats, not compromise that will win Congressional votes.
2
Blaming the Democrats? Blaming Jared and Ivanka? How about blaming himself for wasting time, energy, and taxpayers' money on weekends at Mar-A-Lago and campaign rallies in Nashville and Louisville.
Trump can start all over again by apologizing to the people and firing Bannon, Price, DeVos and Pruitt (to start). People need health care, education and clean air/water. We don't need 'enemies of the people' in the cabinet.
Trump can start all over again by apologizing to the people and firing Bannon, Price, DeVos and Pruitt (to start). People need health care, education and clean air/water. We don't need 'enemies of the people' in the cabinet.
5
Shame on short sightedness. After this opening salvo, President Trump in his Oval Offie press conference said he would welcome Democrats in the next go - to address cost, lack of insurers in rural areas, ability to cross state lines to purchase and negotiation with drug industry on cost. Stay tuned.
1
Trump blames the Democrats for the failure of the AHCA. If the Giants beat the Dodgers, do the Dodgers blame their loss on the Giants?
1
That's silly the Dodgers can never beat the Giants anymore, and they know it.
1
The Republican plan was doomed before votes were ever counted. It was hobbled at the gate by a philosophy that treats healthcare like any other market commodity. Capitalism doesn't work in healthcare like other sectors because people don't choose to get sick, and insurance companies don't make money on sick people. Democrats view healthcare as a human right, a right of citizenship like all advanced countries. Government has a fundamental role to play, insuring that all citizens have healthcare, not just "access". The ACA was a huge step in achieving universal coverage with the lowest percentage of uninsured in our history. The Republican bill would have stripped away coverage from millions of vulnerable Americans while giving a tax cut to people who don't need one. The plan betrayed a faulty understanding of the healthcare marketplace and an utter disregard for the people in it. It deserved to fail.
4
The American Health Care Act, also known as TrumpScares, was indeed a display of incompetence and cruelty. That was just the first version. That the GOP decided after the first vote was delayed to remove Maternity care, hospitalization and prescriptions, made it insanely evil. That the Freedom Caucus did not believe it was cruel enough and refused to vote on it, and the moderate Republicans thought it was actually cruel, just goes to proof the GOP is fracturing into pieces. I had never thought I would see the day when a Republican actually cared about the need and care of their constituents. However, I suspect those many angry townhalls gave some of them a clear picture of their future if they voted in goose-step with the party.
Us liberals must keep on pressuring the Republicans and remind them that they still work for us.
Congrats to the American people, one battle won, but we have a war to fight!
Us liberals must keep on pressuring the Republicans and remind them that they still work for us.
Congrats to the American people, one battle won, but we have a war to fight!
7
Most people in America are liberal. The Republicans have been trying to slander the term for years. The fact is most Republicans are liberals too. Only the right wing crazies are actually the meanies. No they are not a liberal. Just mean.
2
Every aspect of the GOP health care bill was laden with ticking time bombs, if you will. Cut Medicaid, on which 70 Million poor Americans depend, by playing a big time shell game with block grants to States. Cut 24 Million from the health care roles over time, both through sheer attrition and wholly unaffordable premiums for those aged 50-64. Place young Americans in the unenviable position of being wiped out financially by advocating that they go naked under the guise of freedom. Remove other basic health care expectations from the basic rights list to garner a few votes. Oh, and provide a totally unnecessary tax break to those who make more than 1 Million per year.
All of this was advocated and endorsed by Trump, knowing full well that it would lead to a disaster of epic proportions over time. This was a sinister bill, unworthy of anyone calling themselves an American.
All of this was advocated and endorsed by Trump, knowing full well that it would lead to a disaster of epic proportions over time. This was a sinister bill, unworthy of anyone calling themselves an American.
6
Let's see. The next step, according to President Trump in the Oval Office, is to welcome Democrats. To improve the ACA on cost, no insurance companies in rural areas, cross state lines to buy insurance and bargain with drug industry to lower prices. Not a bad first salvo.
Utterly and thoroughly incompetent and incoherent.
4
Obviously ,however inconceivable, Trump was sure that Ryan's disastrous plan was going to pass. His son in law went skiing and he obviously was on the golf course.
3
Unfortunately, this is probably a setback for US health care in the big picture.
Ramming the repeal act thru would have made the need for national health care more glaring. As it stands, the country has kicked the can down the road again, and the GOP can complain about the ACA for years to come while doing nothing to fix it. Their voters will get to keep their subsidized insurance (most of them), and can still froth at the mouth every time the Freedom Caucus rings a bell.
Ramming the repeal act thru would have made the need for national health care more glaring. As it stands, the country has kicked the can down the road again, and the GOP can complain about the ACA for years to come while doing nothing to fix it. Their voters will get to keep their subsidized insurance (most of them), and can still froth at the mouth every time the Freedom Caucus rings a bell.
2
The real story is that WE THE PEOPLE STOPPED THIS TRAVESTY THROUGH GRASSROOTS SYNERGY.
Thousands of people across America demanded town hall meetings with republican operatives for The Top 1% Global Financial Elite Robber Baron/ Radical Religion Good Old Boys' Party/Corporate Cabal/ International Mafia put in office by Russia and friends and demanded that they vote NO.
Hundreds of thousands of people across America jammed the phone lines of OUR Congress/Senate to say NO. Do not destroy America's Affordable Health Care Act and throw 24 MILLION people off.
WE must be vigilant because every single social good since FDR is under attack, every single day, by the corrupt operatives who think they have taken over OUR governments at every level. They have not taken over the Good People of America - the Great Silent Majority who value OUR democracy and social/economic justice for all.
WE must each pick the one thing we value most about OUR democracy and fight like hell to preserve it and OUR lives.
Once again the world depends on America. WE must prevent WWIII. WE must oust the corrupt regime and operatives from OUR government at every level. Right now BEFORE they can force their evil world-wide government destruction plan on the rest of us.
Thousands of people across America demanded town hall meetings with republican operatives for The Top 1% Global Financial Elite Robber Baron/ Radical Religion Good Old Boys' Party/Corporate Cabal/ International Mafia put in office by Russia and friends and demanded that they vote NO.
Hundreds of thousands of people across America jammed the phone lines of OUR Congress/Senate to say NO. Do not destroy America's Affordable Health Care Act and throw 24 MILLION people off.
WE must be vigilant because every single social good since FDR is under attack, every single day, by the corrupt operatives who think they have taken over OUR governments at every level. They have not taken over the Good People of America - the Great Silent Majority who value OUR democracy and social/economic justice for all.
WE must each pick the one thing we value most about OUR democracy and fight like hell to preserve it and OUR lives.
Once again the world depends on America. WE must prevent WWIII. WE must oust the corrupt regime and operatives from OUR government at every level. Right now BEFORE they can force their evil world-wide government destruction plan on the rest of us.
8
It seems to be a bad idea to vote for politicians who promise to put local parochial interests above the national interest as a whole. The politics of government is a sort of fractal that repeats itself on larger and smaller scales, ranging between homeowner associations and the United Nations.
1
America's Biggest Loser is also America's Biggest Quitter. Trump is a gutless.
4
Trial and error includes lots of errors for every eureka. Trump doesn't admit errors, so he never gets to eureka.
It's bad enough for Trump to admit defeat; even worse, accept defeat by a black man.
1
It is bad to make public policy a personal issue.
Just as bad as going to war on a personal vendetta, like W did in Iraq.
1
Exposing the flaws in the proposed Trump-care legislation by the free press was critical. The large number of informed constituents knocking at the doors of their representatives was instrumental.
Exposing any future obstructionism will be even more critical.
Excellent job by the "failing NY times"! Keep it up.
Exposing any future obstructionism will be even more critical.
Excellent job by the "failing NY times"! Keep it up.
8
Enjoy this victory. I certainly am.
But, we need to look at the radar screen closely. In the not too distant future the debt limit will need to be raised.
It's not unreasonable to suspect Trump himself, at the urging of Bannon and Miller, might simply refuse to sign the bill, if the GOP House and Senate even pass one.
This would accomplish most of the GOP dreamy list in one fatal swoop.
But, we need to look at the radar screen closely. In the not too distant future the debt limit will need to be raised.
It's not unreasonable to suspect Trump himself, at the urging of Bannon and Miller, might simply refuse to sign the bill, if the GOP House and Senate even pass one.
This would accomplish most of the GOP dreamy list in one fatal swoop.
It is actually encouraging to note that even Republicans could not muster passage of a bill that is so deeply flawed. A High Schooler with an hour of principal training in the essence of how Insurance works can see the flaws in this bill.
On the other side it is discouraging that Republican leadership even tried to bring such a bill to the floor.
No matter on which angle you take at the healthcare problem - the ACA's principles are solid. Republicans can only be successful in either completely repealing the ACA or work with Democrats to improve upon it.
In my mind Republicans should bring to the floor what they did many times during the Obama administration: Bring to the floor a simple one line bill; "All provisions of the ACA are herewith cancelled". The voters can then decide if they want to re-elect their representative in 2 years hence.
On the other side it is discouraging that Republican leadership even tried to bring such a bill to the floor.
No matter on which angle you take at the healthcare problem - the ACA's principles are solid. Republicans can only be successful in either completely repealing the ACA or work with Democrats to improve upon it.
In my mind Republicans should bring to the floor what they did many times during the Obama administration: Bring to the floor a simple one line bill; "All provisions of the ACA are herewith cancelled". The voters can then decide if they want to re-elect their representative in 2 years hence.
1
What could possibly go wrong with a health plan that rolls back federal and state mental health care, while passing laws for the NRA to provide mentally ill patients with automatic weapons ???
4
Shcizophrenia is the new sanity.
1
We must first eliminate the epidemic of selfishness infecting our political system.
2
Or elevate the discussion of what constitutes enlightened self-interest in our collective strolls across the stage of life.
2
"Friday’s outcome is good for the country, but humiliating for the Republican leadership. For Mr. Trump, it is a rather brutal reminder that campaigning is the easy part."
Brutal for who?
Trump is totally cool with this result.
He's the President, and that fact is all it is and has ever been about for Trump.
Fighting about the scraps and the details of some ridiculous health care bill is for other saps and suckers to worry about.
Trump wins now even when he "loses".
This isn't "brutal" for him. He's laughing his rear end off at all of us.
Brutal for who?
Trump is totally cool with this result.
He's the President, and that fact is all it is and has ever been about for Trump.
Fighting about the scraps and the details of some ridiculous health care bill is for other saps and suckers to worry about.
Trump wins now even when he "loses".
This isn't "brutal" for him. He's laughing his rear end off at all of us.
Every true con artist believes God made him or her to punish suckers for being even more narcissistic than they are.
1
Rather than euthanize it by passing the bill yesterday, the Republicans and hardliners in the caucus are preparing to let Obamacare die by a thousand cuts. Literally.
1
"Obama forced us to be incompetent!"
As President learned after taking Office, health care is complex.
His next lesson is that he and Republican Party, which now totally control the Executive and Congressional Branches, now own the ACA. They could not change the law and must now administer it.
If they make it a success over the next two years, they will get the credit and likely keep control of Congress.
If they fail, they will get the blame and likely lose control of Congress.
And if Democrats take control of either House of Congress, it is likely -- even certain -- that they will deeply investigate the Presidents taxes and ties to Russia and do so visibly.
The real lesson for President Trump is that if wants to win, he needs to make common cause with the Democrats on a host of issues. The House Freedom Caucus is not his friend -- as he hopefully just learned.
His next lesson is that he and Republican Party, which now totally control the Executive and Congressional Branches, now own the ACA. They could not change the law and must now administer it.
If they make it a success over the next two years, they will get the credit and likely keep control of Congress.
If they fail, they will get the blame and likely lose control of Congress.
And if Democrats take control of either House of Congress, it is likely -- even certain -- that they will deeply investigate the Presidents taxes and ties to Russia and do so visibly.
The real lesson for President Trump is that if wants to win, he needs to make common cause with the Democrats on a host of issues. The House Freedom Caucus is not his friend -- as he hopefully just learned.
2
I don't want Democrats to make friends with from under any circumstances. I want him impeached and jailed. We we need to make an example out of this Russian stooge.
1
"Repealing the Affordable Care Act was meant to be the first demonstration of the power and effectiveness of a unified Republican government."
That's because the fools were trying to get away with just watering Obamacare down a little while what we want is to have it killed dead, dead, dead.
"It has turned out to be a display of incompetence and cruelty."
Incompetence, yes. Cruelty only if you think it's right to pander to parasites who won't pay their own bills and think the rest of us ought to be forced to "subsidise" them.
That's because the fools were trying to get away with just watering Obamacare down a little while what we want is to have it killed dead, dead, dead.
"It has turned out to be a display of incompetence and cruelty."
Incompetence, yes. Cruelty only if you think it's right to pander to parasites who won't pay their own bills and think the rest of us ought to be forced to "subsidise" them.
Parasites? Begin at the White House!
3
I learned a great deal about transference-projection from Libertarians over the years, Henry Miller. The experience biases me to expect you to freeload, if not taxed.
4
We are all in danger so long as we allow ourselves to be led by the Republican Party. It was true in the 1920's and it is still true nearly 100 years later. It is the party of the rich, supported by the fear, hatred and ignorance of the people.
4
If a Canadian may be permitted an observation here, I would say first of all that the decision to withdraw this odious bill was very welcome for all of the reasons that you outline in your editorial. On the other hand, and fully recognizing that such an idea is completely incompatible with the current administration, doesn't a single-payer system make a lot more sense in that it would ensure that 100% of the population has coverage? Trying to balance the interests of users, providers, and legislators is surely difficult enough without having to meet the requirements of insurance companies.
4
This is nonsense. Repealing ACA has been a Republican project since the get go and Trump obviously not part of it in 2009. Also, I suspect that Ivanka is opposed to repealing ACA without something SUBSTANTIAL to replace it.
I really wish that the NYT work TOWARDS single payer health care and the way to do it is to get Ivanka and her father on your side.
The first step would be stop calling what happened this week as a "defeat for Trump." It is a defeat for Ryan and I suspect that Ivanka is pleased. Maybe Trump is too.
I really wish that the NYT work TOWARDS single payer health care and the way to do it is to get Ivanka and her father on your side.
The first step would be stop calling what happened this week as a "defeat for Trump." It is a defeat for Ryan and I suspect that Ivanka is pleased. Maybe Trump is too.
1
Destructive and incoherent are two words that pretty well sum up the republican party the last 35 years.
Incompetence and cruelty, those are two more words you used that are included in the text book definition of this party and their policies.
That the so called president had the temerity to scold democrats for not even trying to help was the absolute height of whining....and hypocrisy,
Another year of this kind of "making America great again" and all but the most stupid of his supporters will have realized the mistake of sending this so called human being to the White House.
Incompetence and cruelty, those are two more words you used that are included in the text book definition of this party and their policies.
That the so called president had the temerity to scold democrats for not even trying to help was the absolute height of whining....and hypocrisy,
Another year of this kind of "making America great again" and all but the most stupid of his supporters will have realized the mistake of sending this so called human being to the White House.
2
Trump, above all things, holds a grudge.
In this case, he is going to do all he can to sabotage Obamacare so that "the Democrats will be begging to make a deal next year".
Through this vindictiveness the population of the U.S. will be the real victims through continued rising rates and fewer usurers. Obamacare may be the law of the land, but the Republicans, especially Trump don't care who gets hurt, including their own misinformed base.
In this case, he is going to do all he can to sabotage Obamacare so that "the Democrats will be begging to make a deal next year".
Through this vindictiveness the population of the U.S. will be the real victims through continued rising rates and fewer usurers. Obamacare may be the law of the land, but the Republicans, especially Trump don't care who gets hurt, including their own misinformed base.
1
Next up: "tax reform".
Now we get to watch The Republicans fight among themselves over which lobbyists and pet loopholes for subsidies in their districts should be exempt from this effort.
And once again, they will fail, and demonstrate that they "got nothing" when it comes to actually governing.
Now we get to watch The Republicans fight among themselves over which lobbyists and pet loopholes for subsidies in their districts should be exempt from this effort.
And once again, they will fail, and demonstrate that they "got nothing" when it comes to actually governing.
1
Health care & governance are complicated unlike charging up Trumpistas at a rally, or voting over 60 x’s to repeal Obamacare. Remember that Obama opposed the dreaded mandate until July 2009. The Heritage Foundation created the 1st version in 1971 for “individual responsibility” in face of Ted K’s proposed universal coverage/“socialized medicine”. “Conservatives” like Grassley, McCain, Romney & others supported a form of the mandate for decades until just after Obama supported it. “Conservatives" suddenly discovered the mandate to be a constitutional & liberty threatening abomination.
5
The best achievement of DT and Ryan so far is the failure of their TrumpRyan Care bill. The best. And hoping for many more to come on the path to destruction of the administrative state. Hooray!!!
1
Will Trump's fragile ego be able to withstand 4 years of very public failures, persistent ridicule by the media, historically low approval ratings, being labelled a LOSER, continuing investigations into his business dealings and collaborations with Russia, mockery of his lack of grasp of anything more than superficial knowledge of government and issues, ridicule for his inability to speak coherently unscripted, for continually lying and acting like a spoiled baby, .....
I give him less than 1 year to resign the position and use as the reason the adverse financial impact on him and his family due to the vicious vendetta waged by the media and his enemies.
I give him less than 1 year to resign the position and use as the reason the adverse financial impact on him and his family due to the vicious vendetta waged by the media and his enemies.
5
Mr. Trump is far too lazy to spend time learning about healthcare because it is really complicated. Sad. He lacks the focus to sustain an effort to sell this bill to Congress. He's too spoiled to accept defeat and lacks the humility to learn from one. He's too distracted by a shiny object and too easily bored to "stay the course" on projects that don't show his brilliance. And yet, knowing all this during the campaign, we elected him president.
5
At this point humiliating Republicans is good for the country. It is the only possible cure for the legislative overreach, incompetence, and arrogance which is the current norm.
5
The GOP's principals often show how they sub-consciously prioritize irrational fears over the well-being of the their own people. They clearly think government is out to get them, so there are still many states that will not expand Medicaid which would cost them next to nothing and help their poor immeasurably. It is one of the most astonishing choices imaginable.
2
We've painted ourselves into a corner on healthcare. If we want universal coverage we must get rid of our uniquely stupid linkage of health insurance and employment and, with a single payer, remove the need for insurance companies with their enormous profits and bloated CEOs.
7
Our grassroots efforts of calling congressional leaders to oppose the bill worked!
Now let's work together to make the ACA better for all.
Now let's work together to make the ACA better for all.
6
While this dramatic healthcare process unfolded I was flipping channels to see how various new outlets were talking about it. It's was a lesson in the way perception is manufactured. If you are bewildered by the fact that Trump was elected, you need to look no further than your TV.
Most News channels covered the basic facts, shaping the argument in various ways: left, right, center.
But Fox News avoided covering the process as much as possible. Sean Hannity and Tucker Carlson dedicated entire shows to crimes committed by a few undocumented immigrants. When they did dedicate obligatory time to RyanCare, it felt like a secondary story of govt mechanics, with the focus on disparaging the mandates within the ACA without any examination of the Ryan plan itself or the opinions for or against it with the Republicqn Party.
Media shapes opinion.
Opinion shapes votes.
Votes shape power.
Power shapes media.
We need change.
Most News channels covered the basic facts, shaping the argument in various ways: left, right, center.
But Fox News avoided covering the process as much as possible. Sean Hannity and Tucker Carlson dedicated entire shows to crimes committed by a few undocumented immigrants. When they did dedicate obligatory time to RyanCare, it felt like a secondary story of govt mechanics, with the focus on disparaging the mandates within the ACA without any examination of the Ryan plan itself or the opinions for or against it with the Republicqn Party.
Media shapes opinion.
Opinion shapes votes.
Votes shape power.
Power shapes media.
We need change.
3
Much about Ryan and Trump in the healthcare fiasco. Steve Bannon is Trump's political advisor. It seems the failure is more his than his boss's. Leaving the ACA intact and in force is hardly what one could describe as dismantling the administrative state.
Barak Obama must really be enjoying his time off. Well deserved, sir.
Barak Obama must really be enjoying his time off. Well deserved, sir.
14
Hate, greed, fear and incoherence, 36 years and counting. Riches for the already rich, crumbs, slogans and despair for all others.
3
Well, ok. As liberals, it's good fun to watch Republicans show the world how dysfunctional and ineffective they are.
It's always fun to watch stupidity meet reality.
Both houses of congress and the presidency, and they still can't accomplish the one thing they've been promising their voters for seven years.
Talk about an unforced error!
And how about the Great Dealmaker!? That great and successful Businessman!! So far, he's failed twice with his "travel ban" attempts, and now he's failed to repeal the ACA - his most important policy objective.
What a spectacular string of failures for this President!
And he has both houses of congress!
(Oh, and did I mention he's under investigation by the FBI for colluding with Russia and undermining a US election? Look into this Manafort guy - there's no bottom.)
But, no doubt, his worshippers will believe that he has been winning, because that's what he will say.
So okay, let's celebrate a little. But tomorrow they are going to continue degrading the ACA, as this editorial suggests.
Their plan, apparently, will be to try to win points by continuing to criticize the ACA, even as they undermine it.
This strategy doesn't have a chance of working on informed people. The ACA is their baby now, whether they like it or not.
But we've seen that there is no limit to the gullibility of the Trump supporter.
Whatever the Dear Leader says must be true. And anything that says otherwise must be fake news.
It's always fun to watch stupidity meet reality.
Both houses of congress and the presidency, and they still can't accomplish the one thing they've been promising their voters for seven years.
Talk about an unforced error!
And how about the Great Dealmaker!? That great and successful Businessman!! So far, he's failed twice with his "travel ban" attempts, and now he's failed to repeal the ACA - his most important policy objective.
What a spectacular string of failures for this President!
And he has both houses of congress!
(Oh, and did I mention he's under investigation by the FBI for colluding with Russia and undermining a US election? Look into this Manafort guy - there's no bottom.)
But, no doubt, his worshippers will believe that he has been winning, because that's what he will say.
So okay, let's celebrate a little. But tomorrow they are going to continue degrading the ACA, as this editorial suggests.
Their plan, apparently, will be to try to win points by continuing to criticize the ACA, even as they undermine it.
This strategy doesn't have a chance of working on informed people. The ACA is their baby now, whether they like it or not.
But we've seen that there is no limit to the gullibility of the Trump supporter.
Whatever the Dear Leader says must be true. And anything that says otherwise must be fake news.
3
President Thumbs (uses thumbs to tweet garbage) is all thumbs. Thank goddess that sick health care bill failed.
1
A win yesterday, but there are many more battles. Starting with kicking out those republicans who referred to this disastrous bill as the 3rd inning of a 9 inning game. What in the world does that mean, Vern Buchanan of FL's 16th district? It would be the last inning for 35 thousand of your constituents. November 2018 is nearing...
5
Congratulations America! Your government and president avoided burning down the house while playing with matches. Bravo!
This of course means that you continue to get your healthcare from your current, much older, Republican designed plan.
This of course means that you continue to get your healthcare from your current, much older, Republican designed plan.
4
Paul Ryan has been most aptly nicknamed by my wife. She refers to him, as "Count Chocula."
With apologies to General Mills.
With apologies to General Mills.
1
Whose fault is it really? The GOP who spent 7 years LYING about ACA. Unfortunately for them, their base believed them, then they began to believe themselves. Then, when the time came and they had their chance to actually fix the ACA, they couldn't...because of their own lies. Once they finally came to the realization that "healthcare is complicated" it was too late, they had hung their hats on a lie
Fixing the ACA will take courage, wisdom, and some humble pie...for both sides. I hope the Dems can put their joy aside (after a few days) and act like the adults in the room...reach out, reach across, reach to the other side.
For the sake of the Country -
Fixing the ACA will take courage, wisdom, and some humble pie...for both sides. I hope the Dems can put their joy aside (after a few days) and act like the adults in the room...reach out, reach across, reach to the other side.
For the sake of the Country -
4
I have a new proposal: The American Universal Health Care Act
9
For 8 years their mantra was "Just Say No". Now that they're in control, Republicans reveal themselves: Rebels Without a Cause.
3
Stop calling it Obamacare ... the Republicans own it now ... Yet here in lies a truly great opportunity ... whereby reasonable and sensible Republicans and Democrats can get together and begin building the foundation for a meaningful and comprehensive health system ...
4
A photograph of Mike Pence presiding over a conference table of 14 old white men who decide to terminate coverage for maternity care.
Am I hallucinating this?
Am I hallucinating this?
13
So the Repubicans got voted into office by putting together a coalition that could agree that it was bad to have a woman or a black man as President, but they can't agree on anything else.
11
Lawrence O'Donnell tore trump a new one last night, repeating over many times how poorly educated he was in regards to knowledge of either the ACA or the Ryan bill, and just relying on his usual "Elmer Gantry" disguise to push anagenda that didn't exist. The photo shows him very pale, including the hairpiece as the blood left his lifeless body. Love the piece that showed up that trump was angryat Kushner because Jared was skiing during the fight. Maybe Jared isn't as thick as trump.
3
I'm in my 60s & while I've had momentary feelings of despair about my country - when Robert Kennedy & Martin Luther King were murdered, during Vietnam, watching violence against minorities & race riots, during Reagan's presidency and during the Iraq War - this is the first time I've felt hopeless. It's like in the last 8 months we turned a corner & are drifting toward a hellish place where there's no truth anymore & no responsible entity in our government that can be trusted to care about our welfare or protect the sanctity of our democracy & future of our
country. I wake up in the morning & I've never gotten used to this, like the shock one feels for months after someone very close has died. Really, gone forever? So it seems....
country. I wake up in the morning & I've never gotten used to this, like the shock one feels for months after someone very close has died. Really, gone forever? So it seems....
14
The "let them eat cake" faux leadership crashed as reasonable observers expected. Now, back to the Russians and the stench of collusion.
12
We can only hope that Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer are selfless enough to put the American people first by handing Donald Trump a plan that will
a) fix Obamacare and b) make Donald Trump look like the winner he needs to be.
a) fix Obamacare and b) make Donald Trump look like the winner he needs to be.
6
Let Trump damage the ACA just for spite - let the people of this great country see him clearly for what he is - an arrogant, ignorant, lying, narcissistic bore who is unfit to govern.
9
The Ryancare debacle also shows Trump and his Wrecking Crew that movement forward will require greater adherence to the party's far-far-right members. Thirty-three of them kept Ryancare from passing because they wanted the ACA totally repealed. Those 33 are not going away and, having won this fight, you can bet they will weigh in again on future fights. Brace yourself, America; the effects of putting this group in power are just beginning!
3
I agree with many here. Now is not the time to gloat or brag.
Now is the time for those opposed the DJT to double down on the single payer or universal healthcare solution that a MAJORITY of Americans want.
Now is the time to keep our eye on HHS Sec. price and resist and expose any of his acts to sabotage the tenets of the ACA that remain,
In the meantime we must conclude an investigation into DJT's collusion with Russia and block the Gorsuch appt.
No SCOTUS appt can take place while DJT is under M U L T I P L E investigations by the senate and FBI.
Resist.
Now is the time for those opposed the DJT to double down on the single payer or universal healthcare solution that a MAJORITY of Americans want.
Now is the time to keep our eye on HHS Sec. price and resist and expose any of his acts to sabotage the tenets of the ACA that remain,
In the meantime we must conclude an investigation into DJT's collusion with Russia and block the Gorsuch appt.
No SCOTUS appt can take place while DJT is under M U L T I P L E investigations by the senate and FBI.
Resist.
14
My only fear with the urinating on the GOP grave after this act of failed stupidity got buried is they might get angry and pass this useless piece of garbage just "cause they could". So this might be the time to let the sleeping dog lie.
2
So with all the finger pointing and blame laying by Trump what might Harry Truman (the first President to start the push for national health care) have said about where the buck stops?
I wonder.....
I wonder.....
2
Maybe they should all try sitting down together and try to iron out a solution that is palpable to most instead of trying to ram it down each others throats.
2
The new Trumpcare Plan is "to let Obamacare implode". We can be sure he will do his best to make this happen and then blame it on Obama and the Democrats. We know this because he has the full character of a pathological liar who is willing to undermine the health of the American people to see himself as having been "prophetically right" when, in fact, he is pathetically wrong, once again. Sad. Really Very Sad.
6
Schadenfreude.
5
The best negotiator in the world just threw up his hands and walked away. You negotiate by building consensus on something that works for everyone. Trump and Ryan are bullies in expensive suits.
3
And to think I had to defend voting for Hillary.
8
The Democrats should be outlining a proposal for improving Obamacare, possibly including some ideas from various Republicans. It will go nowhere but they should show they have something, unlike the Party of No.
2
Meanwhile our country's health deteriorates and "deaths of despair" increase while Trump and Ryan fiddle.
3
Mr. Trump, if he wants to, has a great opportunity to show his leadership. He can form a bi-partisan committee to get recommendations to improve ACA and to bend the healthcare cost curve for the foreseeable future. I am sure democratic leadership will welcome such a proposal.
Pointing fingers and waiting for ACA to fail is not leadership.
This is the sane and humane thing to do. He has a chance to build his credibility and do something for the American people that will last generations. This move will also help to unite the country by tackling such an important agenda in a bi-partisan way. But, will his advisers let him do the right thing once!! Let us hope so.
Pointing fingers and waiting for ACA to fail is not leadership.
This is the sane and humane thing to do. He has a chance to build his credibility and do something for the American people that will last generations. This move will also help to unite the country by tackling such an important agenda in a bi-partisan way. But, will his advisers let him do the right thing once!! Let us hope so.
2
There's a broad spectrum of views regarding health care:
"Medicare for all"<------------------------------------------------------>"Free market"
(e.g. Sanders) ("Freedom caucus")
The principal objective of Medicare-for-all is universal coverage, which is what most Democrats support. It is roughly in line with every universal health care system on the globe. The goal of Free Marketeers seems chiefly to be to remove government influence from any health care system and to turn the matter over to the market competition, a model without a single example worldwide and which inherently denies universality.
I think single-payer is the best way to go. That said, most systems have elements of Medicare-for-all (government) and a free-market elements in varying proportion. And that brings me to the concept of compromise, at least as a start. A couple of days ago I saw on TV a Texas House member (I forget which one), seemingly in distress, applaud Medicare Advantage as an example of free markets. And that leads me to wonder if Republican would accept Medicare-Advantage-for-All.
"Medicare for all"<------------------------------------------------------>"Free market"
(e.g. Sanders) ("Freedom caucus")
The principal objective of Medicare-for-all is universal coverage, which is what most Democrats support. It is roughly in line with every universal health care system on the globe. The goal of Free Marketeers seems chiefly to be to remove government influence from any health care system and to turn the matter over to the market competition, a model without a single example worldwide and which inherently denies universality.
I think single-payer is the best way to go. That said, most systems have elements of Medicare-for-all (government) and a free-market elements in varying proportion. And that brings me to the concept of compromise, at least as a start. A couple of days ago I saw on TV a Texas House member (I forget which one), seemingly in distress, applaud Medicare Advantage as an example of free markets. And that leads me to wonder if Republican would accept Medicare-Advantage-for-All.
1
Trump is a 16-screen multiplex. His attacks on America are playing out simultaneously on many fronts. The "deny poor Americans healthcare' movie went dark when the projector broke, but it is still running, in the dark, as Dr. Price is injecting air embolisms into the veins of Obamacare. After the debacle, Trump reluctantly hoped Americans wouldn't be too badly hurt by Obamacare. In the next breath, he crowed that Obamacare is a disaster. What are Trump's true feelings? We saw how much he cared about his campaign promise that Trumpcare would be "great" and "super" and would increase coverage for all Americans while reducing their costs - he threw his supporters under the bus trying to negotiate what would have been astonishingly poor medical care. His supporters, would-be victims of this monstrosity, rebelled. But the lie that Obamacare will become complete failure - that's a promise he intends to keep.
On screen #2, the EPA is slated for destruction. On #3, the State Department's ability to project soft power is being shifted to the War Department, the action movie playing on #4. On #5, the Congressional Black Caucus is being asked "what do you have to lose?" (spoiler alert: everything). On #6, education funds are being trashed. On #7, local government is being blackmailed to support Trump's xenophobic immigration program. On #8, sustainable energy is being assaulted. On #9, tax cut for the wealthy. It goes on.
Fighting off Trump everywhere require unceasing vigilance.
On screen #2, the EPA is slated for destruction. On #3, the State Department's ability to project soft power is being shifted to the War Department, the action movie playing on #4. On #5, the Congressional Black Caucus is being asked "what do you have to lose?" (spoiler alert: everything). On #6, education funds are being trashed. On #7, local government is being blackmailed to support Trump's xenophobic immigration program. On #8, sustainable energy is being assaulted. On #9, tax cut for the wealthy. It goes on.
Fighting off Trump everywhere require unceasing vigilance.
2
Emphasizing the failure of the GOP to produce a viable alternative to Obamacare over the past seven years since its passage fails to recognize the fact that their apathy - more accurately, their antipathy - toward this nation's health care needs has effectively ossified into policy over many generations. The only thing that has changed is that their entirely predictable failure to finally address this fact has just been so dramatically revealed.
1
NO is easy....governing is another matter! Way to go, Republicans!
2
Democrats ought to argue for a single payer system paid for with a VAT.
No more welfare for insurance companies.
Healthcare is a universal human right according to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
No more welfare for insurance companies.
Healthcare is a universal human right according to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
3
Single payer system - yes. Paid with VAT - no. VAT is an extremely regressive tax. Health is not value-added.
It must be paid by progressive taxation; the rich pay more, the poor pay less.
It must be paid by progressive taxation; the rich pay more, the poor pay less.
1
Republicans are a shameful lot. Their repeal-and-replace act has derailed badly. They forgot about voters. Turns out voters like Obamacare. Voters! Americans! They like it! Who knew?
1
There is only one good replacement for Obamacare and that's universal single payer. Wake up middle class republicans. Your party only cares about the wealthy.
5
You say "campaigning is the easy part."
Sure, when you have the Russian government setting things up and the FBI director waiting to deliver the kill shot.
Everyone knew this man was unqualified. Now we're reaping what was sown.
Sure, when you have the Russian government setting things up and the FBI director waiting to deliver the kill shot.
Everyone knew this man was unqualified. Now we're reaping what was sown.
2
The Congress should tend to the business of keeping the country up and running properly and inform the President they'll work with him on his agenda when the investigation into his campaign team has ended. We need a time out.
Considering that during Barack Obama's presidency the Republicans dedicated themselves to reflexive, knee jerk opposition to every single policy proposal he put forth, and that now the governing philosophy of the Trump regime is not to govern, but, to use Steve Bannon's phrase, to "deconstruct" the federal administrative state, and that there is a Republican faction in the Congress, the so-called "Freedom Caucus", that is dedicated to the cause of "do nothing" government, there is absolutely nothing surprising or shocking that Trump and the Republican majority in Congress were unable to pass the Trump/Ryan healthcare bill. The Republicans have spent so much time, effort, and political capital on trying to prove that government can't do ANYTHING right (except for the coercive instruments of The State), now that they have unquestioned control of the Presidency and the Congress they find it difficult -- perhaps impossible -- to switch gears and ACTUALLY GOVERN, effectively or otherwise.
What needs to be easily explained is arguing T's word salad from yesterday. We know why some states are suffering it's because Republicans refused those states care (medicaid) and now the insurance providers have pulled out because it became too costly. Keep it very simple... "your state of (insert here) is suffering now because (insert name here) refused help from ( Medicaid or???) so premiums went up or private insurance companies pulled out" This is not the democrats or the ACA it is the republican states that are suffering.. don't let that idiot get away with this...
It's amazing, isn't it, that our banana republican government has sunk so low so fast. They own all three branches of the federal government and STILL they the blame the past president and the minority opposition for their complete and utter incompetence. Maybe what's happened this week will turn out for the good after all, but right now the ice we're skating on seems thinner and thinner.
2
and someone please print out a transcript of yesterday's "press conference" from the tweeter than black out all the "extra words" it'll end up being 140 characters
1
This is what happens when you have "The Gang Who Couldn't Shoot Straight" in charge of public policy. Where are all the smart people who know what they are doing? They are doing investigative reporting.
Please keep it up.
Please keep it up.
1
As despicable as Trump is, I don't think his heart was in this bill. I don't believe he really wanted to take health care away from anyone. When he campaigned and said repeal and replace, and everyone's going to have great health care for less money, I think he really believed it could be done. Then he let Ryan write the bill, and Ryan, and perhaps Tom Price, are the most despicable people in Washington, and the bill ended up not being what Trump really wanted. Ryan's goal throughout his political career has been to take from the poor and give to the rich. This is Ryan's humiliation, Ryan's loss. It's clearly a repudiation of everything he stands for.
10
Donald Trump-
-Lost popular vote
-Lost Trumpcare vote
-Lost Muslim Ban twice
-Lost Ryan Owens in Yemen
-Lost Michael Flynn
-
-Lost credibility
So when Donald, exactly does the winning start?
-Lost popular vote
-Lost Trumpcare vote
-Lost Muslim Ban twice
-Lost Ryan Owens in Yemen
-Lost Michael Flynn
-
-Lost credibility
So when Donald, exactly does the winning start?
6
Great, so now a bunch of rich guys with access to great healthcare are now simply going to wait for the current system to implode rather than fix it. This reminds me of the brat of loses a game and throws all the pieces on the floor.
13
....could this possibly be even BETTER than Hillary winning?!? Now we're having fun!
Let me get this right.
We have a Republican president, a Republic-controlled House of Representatives and a Republican-controlled Senate, and failure to pass an effective healthcare bill "is the Democrats' fault ??" Uh, no.
Perhaps the attempt to dismantle the ACA and replace it with the Republican style of replacement, a bill which would throw 24 million poor people off existing healthcare insurance plans to raise enough money to partialize subsidize massive tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans and corporations, was recognized by enough American for what it was - a complete fraud.
Not surprisingly, Pres. Trump then used this "opportunity" to spew forth an additional set of lies and fake news by accusing the Democrats of sabotaging his "wonderful" healthcare bill. DJT redefines the word "chutzpah".
We have a Republican president, a Republic-controlled House of Representatives and a Republican-controlled Senate, and failure to pass an effective healthcare bill "is the Democrats' fault ??" Uh, no.
Perhaps the attempt to dismantle the ACA and replace it with the Republican style of replacement, a bill which would throw 24 million poor people off existing healthcare insurance plans to raise enough money to partialize subsidize massive tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans and corporations, was recognized by enough American for what it was - a complete fraud.
Not surprisingly, Pres. Trump then used this "opportunity" to spew forth an additional set of lies and fake news by accusing the Democrats of sabotaging his "wonderful" healthcare bill. DJT redefines the word "chutzpah".
Like many others, I'm breathing a sigh of relief that the GOP "health" plan collapsed. But I'm worried that Democrats will pass up an opportunity to propose a bill that addresses the many flaws in Obamacare. They must show that while the Republicans posture, the Democrats want to deliver.
2
We can finally put 'paid' the the GOP fantasy of running government like a business. Now we see why Trump had 5 bankruptcies.
Government is a service and a system- not a business, not a non-profit.
Government is a service and a system- not a business, not a non-profit.
The Democrats were so unhappy the Republicans were going to repeal Obamacare now are even more unhappy that it wasn't repealed. Looks like this American experiment in democracy has many flaws.
Please, please stop naming those who do not believe all citizens of a democratic country should have health care "Conservatives." They are Radicals, destroyers of democratic norms. It is time to make the distinction.
Thank you.
Thank you.
3
Thank you! True conservatives would recognize that preventive care reduces costs, that healthy employees are more productive and that planning for childbearing protects families.
These people aren't conservatives: they are "tax and spend liberals" whose beneficiaries are Big Oil, Big Pharma, Big Weaponry, Big Ag and Big Money.
Fussing about welfare, immigration and entitlements is just bait to keep workers voting for their own exploiters.
These people aren't conservatives: they are "tax and spend liberals" whose beneficiaries are Big Oil, Big Pharma, Big Weaponry, Big Ag and Big Money.
Fussing about welfare, immigration and entitlements is just bait to keep workers voting for their own exploiters.
I do not want to pretend that universal healthcare is easy to implement but do not be fooled by the size of this task. This is totally doable!
The US has the money and healthcare infrastructure to make this happen. And now and I mean NOW, the political momentum may be there to move towards a system that covers all and at reasonable prices.
This is not a knock-just fact - that the GOP simply cannot govern, period!
They need Dem and progressive party help in implementing something of substance so remove any GOP members that do not support some form of universal plans so we can get to work.
We should not let the fact that the ACA remains from getting to work on a revised or better solution.
The GOP needs to know that they can be part of the solution or they will be removed from office!
It's time for everyone to pick a side on healthcare and US voters get to pick who comes along!!
The US has the money and healthcare infrastructure to make this happen. And now and I mean NOW, the political momentum may be there to move towards a system that covers all and at reasonable prices.
This is not a knock-just fact - that the GOP simply cannot govern, period!
They need Dem and progressive party help in implementing something of substance so remove any GOP members that do not support some form of universal plans so we can get to work.
We should not let the fact that the ACA remains from getting to work on a revised or better solution.
The GOP needs to know that they can be part of the solution or they will be removed from office!
It's time for everyone to pick a side on healthcare and US voters get to pick who comes along!!
1
In the seven years that the GOP spent shrieking about the ACA, they spent no time coming up with a reasonable alternative?
1
They can't even punch the ball in from the 1 with no defense lined up.
Can you imagine what will happen when an actual catastrophe occurs and this Republican government is tasked with the responsibility of protecting and defending us?
Can you imagine what will happen when an actual catastrophe occurs and this Republican government is tasked with the responsibility of protecting and defending us?
2
This entire charade is based on lies -- Mr. Trump is a pathological liar -- he is fortunate that so many of his followers have been fed fake news and lies (primarily from FOX (FAKE) News) for years. so they don't have a clue -- they still think that Mrs. Clinton and John Podesta were running a child sex ring out of a pizza restaurant in DC. Alex Jones actually apologized for pushing that -- when is he going to apologize for saying the Newtown shooting was fake or the hundred other "fake" stories he promulgated about Hillary Clinton. This a person who is a source for our President who cannot tell the difference between what is real and what is not, but pathological liars do have that problem -- they tell the lie so often, to them it is the truth. Along with his Republicans (who seem to forget that they are in charge of everything and as soon as Gorsuch gets on SCOTUS, they really will be in charge of "everything" -- coming out and blaming Democrats (a lie) is just outrageous and then telling the American people -- "I'm moving on, the American people can go to hell and oh, btw (here is another lie) the Affordable Care Act is imploding so good luck to you -- REALLY, what's your job Mr. President -- fix what's wrong with the Affordable Care Act, help the people you serve. Stop going off to play golf and get to work -- that's the only reason your deplorable supporters put you in office.
2
Crying wolf only works when there is no wolf and you are not accountable. All those repeal votes the GOP majority Congress over the last 6 years from the very start of ACA, now come to fruition. Their tag line was that if only they have a President who would sign it, they would have passed the repeal. If any voter (not just the voter who benefited from ACA) did not see the GOP's incredible cruelty and bluff now, even their GOP God cannot save them (or the USA for that matter) from disaster.
Excess of anything is dangerous and causes imbalance. It not just the market forces or bottomless charity that solves the societal woes. When there are plenty of examples around the world on decent healthcare for their citizens with neither pure market nor absolute socialist approaches alone, not adopting them to our own advantage is stupidity! What does that say about a country that boasts the richest, most powerful, advanced, and innovative?
Excess of anything is dangerous and causes imbalance. It not just the market forces or bottomless charity that solves the societal woes. When there are plenty of examples around the world on decent healthcare for their citizens with neither pure market nor absolute socialist approaches alone, not adopting them to our own advantage is stupidity! What does that say about a country that boasts the richest, most powerful, advanced, and innovative?
2
It's obvious that the Republican Party is not a viable governing coalition. In most other advanced countries yesterday's government collapse would lead to a reconfigured governing coalition. It is there. All Ryan needs to do is sit down and offer to build a coalition of sane Republicans and moderate Democrats and there will be huge majorities for governing reasonably sensibly, including "fixing" ObamaCare. Unfortunately that would leave out the only real solution, Medicare For All.
On the other side, it would have been interesting to watch Trump voters suffer the consequences of TrumpRyan"Care", if only that could be confined to them.
On the other side, it would have been interesting to watch Trump voters suffer the consequences of TrumpRyan"Care", if only that could be confined to them.
1
Despite the noise and posturing there IS a way to pass a bill that would solve the problem of health care instantly. Snap! like that. AND it's so simple - a word Mr. Trump likes - it would seem obvious. What is it?
Let every American who wishes to join Medicare. That's it. Possibly even make it a mandate. Like car insurance. You wanna drive, bud? You got to have insurance. You don't want to pay up? Don't drive.
Of course it would cost some money, which would mean Republicans would have to stop lining the pockets of already rich Americans with even more cash and make them pay a fair share of taxes. Will that happen? No. The GOP is the party of greed and self-interest. They really do not care about working class Americans and never have. They like to build walls, instead. Like the one they imagine for the Mexican border. Or the ones they build around their mansions to keep the riffraff out.
Let every American who wishes to join Medicare. That's it. Possibly even make it a mandate. Like car insurance. You wanna drive, bud? You got to have insurance. You don't want to pay up? Don't drive.
Of course it would cost some money, which would mean Republicans would have to stop lining the pockets of already rich Americans with even more cash and make them pay a fair share of taxes. Will that happen? No. The GOP is the party of greed and self-interest. They really do not care about working class Americans and never have. They like to build walls, instead. Like the one they imagine for the Mexican border. Or the ones they build around their mansions to keep the riffraff out.
3
It's a safe bet that Trump never even read the bill; that if you asked him what exactly he liked about the bill, he couldn't answer.
Anyway, this massive political car crash should galvanize folks to get off their butts and vote in the midterms. This is absolutely crucial and cannot be emphasized enough. The Republicans must be swept out of office. If we were a saner nation, they wouldn't be there in the first place.
Anyway, this massive political car crash should galvanize folks to get off their butts and vote in the midterms. This is absolutely crucial and cannot be emphasized enough. The Republicans must be swept out of office. If we were a saner nation, they wouldn't be there in the first place.
4
Maximilien Robespierre knew how to persuade the wealthy to pay their fair share of taxes. The Waltons, Kochs, Robert Mercer, Jack Welch, Rupert Murdock. et al. should take note.
How do Schumer and Pelosi respond? An excellent move by the Democrats would be to come forward ASAP with an Obamacare improvement bill that would show how they might have crafted such legislation if Hillary had won. While it is unlikely that they would get enough Republicans to cross the lines and force Trump to veto it, it would underscore the difference in approach of the two parties. Obamacare can clearly be improved, and Democrats need to play offense as well as defense, even if they don't score on this drive.
This would again highlight how many Trump supporters' health care coverage the Republicans were willing to eliminate in their march forward back into the 19th Century, when workers really sick or hurt on the job were fired. When I started working in a chemical lab in the 1960's, before Nixon signed OSHA, the prevailing attitude was 'Good Workers don't get hurt, Good Workers don't get cancer". The Freedom Caucus attitude seems to be 'Good Americans don't get injured, Good Americans don't get sick. Good Americans are rich enough to afford choices.'
This would again highlight how many Trump supporters' health care coverage the Republicans were willing to eliminate in their march forward back into the 19th Century, when workers really sick or hurt on the job were fired. When I started working in a chemical lab in the 1960's, before Nixon signed OSHA, the prevailing attitude was 'Good Workers don't get hurt, Good Workers don't get cancer". The Freedom Caucus attitude seems to be 'Good Americans don't get injured, Good Americans don't get sick. Good Americans are rich enough to afford choices.'
3
I agree. The Democrats need to make efforts to improve the ACA and promote those efforts to the public. This could help them tremendously in the midterms.
This was never about healthcare; it was about Obama.
6
How is it Tom Price escapes our scorn? He was one of the worst offenders in the House. Now he's in a position to make a difference in health care and he comes up blank. Is being a cipher a prerequisite for working with Donald?
3
Trump, Ryan and the Republican congress hold the middle class in contempt and sneer at the poor, are disciples of the latest billionaire, Robert Mercer. Read Jane Mayer's New Yorker article concerning the ledgerdomain od the Mercer's , Trump, Bannon, et al.
Mercer's main thrust, much like the Koch Bros , is selfishness. The main difference between Koch and Mercer is that Mercer believes to the core that if you are not rich you are an inferior being. An inferior entity. People like Trump, Bannon, Ryan, Pence eat this philosophy up, and as a result we have the current US condition. Budding Oligarchy, without resistance, will engulf the US with casualties in the tens of millions. This is just the beginning, RESISTANCE is a necessity if we are to survive on any kind of acceptable scale.
Mercer's main thrust, much like the Koch Bros , is selfishness. The main difference between Koch and Mercer is that Mercer believes to the core that if you are not rich you are an inferior being. An inferior entity. People like Trump, Bannon, Ryan, Pence eat this philosophy up, and as a result we have the current US condition. Budding Oligarchy, without resistance, will engulf the US with casualties in the tens of millions. This is just the beginning, RESISTANCE is a necessity if we are to survive on any kind of acceptable scale.
The Friday rebuke of Trump, especially right after his challenge, showed that he can bully some, but not all.
It's excellent that Congress finally stood up to him. I wish the voters had showed similar strength, realized that he is a salesman above all else, and voted against him.
Although I preferred the Democrats, and was not pleased with most of the Republicans who wanted to be the nominee, I would have accepted almost any of those running on the Rep ticket, except Trump. Throughout the run up to the election I kept wondering when some of them would recognize that he is nothing more than a sideshow barker. As such his aim is to fleece as many as possible.
It's excellent that Congress finally stood up to him. I wish the voters had showed similar strength, realized that he is a salesman above all else, and voted against him.
Although I preferred the Democrats, and was not pleased with most of the Republicans who wanted to be the nominee, I would have accepted almost any of those running on the Rep ticket, except Trump. Throughout the run up to the election I kept wondering when some of them would recognize that he is nothing more than a sideshow barker. As such his aim is to fleece as many as possible.
The modern GOP has no interest in governing. Paul Ryan is no "policy wonk". He's an Ayn Rand fan boy who thinks he's smart but he's not.
6
And thanks, once again, to Nancy Pelosi for her zeal for Obamacare. As I recall she midwifed it through the first time those several years ago and once again she took on the push for people's rights to health care. The woman behind it all. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Pelosi.
1
Wake up America!
Look at this issue - it is a defining issue. It clearly exposes who is really for the People and who is not. Dare I say Christian and who is not?
First it exposes Trump the populist as anything but one. It snaps into focus that he is a conman who contrary to his proclamations in 2016 cares little for what really effects us.
He is NO idiot and even a common person with any objectivity and savvy could see the foundations of the AHCA were highly counterproductive to most Americans. Yet he fought for it?!?
Likewise he knows the ACA is NOT a disaster, is incrementally net beneficial to ordinary America, and its flaws CAN be technically fixed rather easily. Yet he wishes for the ACA's collapse - indeed will try to ensure it happens?!?
Wake up America - this exposes him and his Administration big-time! So does their war on the EPA, etc. yes - but this here and now health care puts all his cards on the table like nothing else has opportunity to do so far! He is a sham populist who is dangerous to ordinary America!
Diito can be said about all the Rs. But we should have recognized that long ago right?
Trump and Rs a serious poison to us. And anyone who seriously thinks their ideology/policies will benefit America overall is either willfully stupid or delusional.
And those more alert to reality that vote these vermin because they boil their religion down to one issue will get seriously chastised by their Lord when they meet him I think.
Look at this issue - it is a defining issue. It clearly exposes who is really for the People and who is not. Dare I say Christian and who is not?
First it exposes Trump the populist as anything but one. It snaps into focus that he is a conman who contrary to his proclamations in 2016 cares little for what really effects us.
He is NO idiot and even a common person with any objectivity and savvy could see the foundations of the AHCA were highly counterproductive to most Americans. Yet he fought for it?!?
Likewise he knows the ACA is NOT a disaster, is incrementally net beneficial to ordinary America, and its flaws CAN be technically fixed rather easily. Yet he wishes for the ACA's collapse - indeed will try to ensure it happens?!?
Wake up America - this exposes him and his Administration big-time! So does their war on the EPA, etc. yes - but this here and now health care puts all his cards on the table like nothing else has opportunity to do so far! He is a sham populist who is dangerous to ordinary America!
Diito can be said about all the Rs. But we should have recognized that long ago right?
Trump and Rs a serious poison to us. And anyone who seriously thinks their ideology/policies will benefit America overall is either willfully stupid or delusional.
And those more alert to reality that vote these vermin because they boil their religion down to one issue will get seriously chastised by their Lord when they meet him I think.
Notably missing from yesterday's Trump photo-ops are Darth Bannon and Class III Child Care Droid Priebus. Could this be a New Hope?
2
The Republicans have clearly shown when it comes to governing the cannot walk and chew gum at the same time. I look for this to continue with future initiatives they are planning.
1
Making Obamacare fail is still a priority of the Trump administration, all wealthy Republicans, the insurance industry, and the 1,300 lobbyists being paid $225 million a year to help keep the profits up. Obamacare was a step down the slippery slope towards a less profitable, universal single-payer system. Trump & Co. are new at this, and they had a mis-step, but they are determined to make the rich richer. Don't get carried away celebrating over this "debacle" just yet. I'm betting they roll out a new, improved, equally terrible AHCA by the end of the year. They are selling widgets, not health care, and they are going to try and corner the market.
12
People need to stay "woke!"
The Democrats who crossed over to get a few bucks off of the ObamaCare poor people lost big-time. Next time think of other, too.
Healthcare shmelthcare, now it's time to move on to the next grand failure.
Trump, the boy from Queens who wanted to play with the adults in Manhattan, has found out that, gee, governing is really, really hard.
His bluster and bullying may have worked well for him in the real estate game, surrounding himself with high-priced gunslinger attorneys and threatening lawsuits to anyone who dared oppose him, the the dealer-in-chief just could not close the deal.
I'm glad. Millions of Americans will keep their healthcare. Is the ACA perfect? Not yet. But the policy in Congress should be mend it, not end it.
Of course, Trump blamed the Democrats ("We didn't get one Democratic vote.") Really? Surprise, surprise.
His bluster and bullying may have worked well for him in the real estate game, surrounding himself with high-priced gunslinger attorneys and threatening lawsuits to anyone who dared oppose him, the the dealer-in-chief just could not close the deal.
I'm glad. Millions of Americans will keep their healthcare. Is the ACA perfect? Not yet. But the policy in Congress should be mend it, not end it.
Of course, Trump blamed the Democrats ("We didn't get one Democratic vote.") Really? Surprise, surprise.
2
The editorial says the Trump administration "might seek to undermine the health care law through administrative steps." Might? We can count on it.
The vindictive, puny man in the Oval Office extracts revenge on EVERYONE who does not shine a light upon him. How do you think he sees the hundreds of thousands of us who took to the streets and flooded town halls demanding our health care not be undermined? We opposed him. We made him look bad. It resulted in a public, humiliating defeat. It is not a stretch to believe the heartless, morally empty suit in the Oval Office will do anything to exact revenge on the populace overall.
We need watchdogs on this. We need the media to report on the GOP and Trump efforts to undermine and sink the ACA. We need you to be on this as consistently as you are now calling out his lies. The people will take to the streets. We will fight for what we need. But we need backup. We need the press to have our backs and not allow the American people to be deliberately harmed by those sworn to protect. Lives are, literally, at stake. We need the press to help us. Please.
The vindictive, puny man in the Oval Office extracts revenge on EVERYONE who does not shine a light upon him. How do you think he sees the hundreds of thousands of us who took to the streets and flooded town halls demanding our health care not be undermined? We opposed him. We made him look bad. It resulted in a public, humiliating defeat. It is not a stretch to believe the heartless, morally empty suit in the Oval Office will do anything to exact revenge on the populace overall.
We need watchdogs on this. We need the media to report on the GOP and Trump efforts to undermine and sink the ACA. We need you to be on this as consistently as you are now calling out his lies. The people will take to the streets. We will fight for what we need. But we need backup. We need the press to have our backs and not allow the American people to be deliberately harmed by those sworn to protect. Lives are, literally, at stake. We need the press to help us. Please.
I'm dismayed at the tone that the mainstream media (well, at least NYT and WaPo) are adopting. Instead of crowing about GOP's failure, they should be asking "what can we do to save healthcare in the US?" The ACA is crumbling, and it is now politically impossible for any Repub to help fix it. This hastily cobbled-together mess was no improvement. What would be?
NYT editors already made one proposal: catastrophic-only coverage for all. We could start with that and add optional coverage; your premiums would be based on income and lifestyle. How to win Repub support? Make it for citizens only, and require that visitors have their own insurance.
In short, we need more policy discussions and less gotchas.
NYT editors already made one proposal: catastrophic-only coverage for all. We could start with that and add optional coverage; your premiums would be based on income and lifestyle. How to win Repub support? Make it for citizens only, and require that visitors have their own insurance.
In short, we need more policy discussions and less gotchas.
2
The most important line of this editorial, and something that was not focused on often enough in the media or any of the progressive calls for action: "the bill’s underlying and increasingly obvious purpose, … was to reduce taxes for the wealthy by cutting benefits for the needy.” And now, on to the fight against tax reform.
1
Mr. Trump has, aided by his father's money, bullied and lied his way to some fortune, much fame, and now the presidency.
But in his heart he remains trashy, as his gilded mansions attest.
Not for him the largesse, finesse, and honor of, say, a David Rockefeller who, during a ceremony at The New York Pubic Library, said of its patron, Brooke Astor, "[She] has set an extraordinary example in terms of the enrichment of New York’s most exciting and important resource — the minds of its people of all ages.”
Think about Donald Trump's considering "the minds of . . . people of all ages" as resources to be cherished and nurtured. It ain't going to happen when all he thinks about is his libido.
That so many people voted for this consummately vulgar emptiness is a disaster unlike that we've ever seen. Are they now, finally, seeing what they've got?
But in his heart he remains trashy, as his gilded mansions attest.
Not for him the largesse, finesse, and honor of, say, a David Rockefeller who, during a ceremony at The New York Pubic Library, said of its patron, Brooke Astor, "[She] has set an extraordinary example in terms of the enrichment of New York’s most exciting and important resource — the minds of its people of all ages.”
Think about Donald Trump's considering "the minds of . . . people of all ages" as resources to be cherished and nurtured. It ain't going to happen when all he thinks about is his libido.
That so many people voted for this consummately vulgar emptiness is a disaster unlike that we've ever seen. Are they now, finally, seeing what they've got?
Trump's temper tantrums and his character trait of seeking revenge when he doesn't get his will don't bode well for the ACA.
He will do everything in his power to sabotage Obamacare in order to be able to tweet Donald J. Trump told you so, losers. SAD!
He will do everything in his power to sabotage Obamacare in order to be able to tweet Donald J. Trump told you so, losers. SAD!
1
I am concerned that the DNC is not doing enough to make sure that 1) the American public realizes that even though Ryancare failed, the Republicans are doing much to undermine the integrity of the ACA. If they cancel the mandate and make other negative changes to the funding of the ACA, that health plan will fall apart (and the Republicans will say, there we told you it would collapse under its own weight).
The democrats need to be running television spots, encouraging the Republicans and Trump to sit down and look at fixing and strengthening the ACA so that it remains solvent. Otherwise, it will fail and millions will be left without coverage.
Republicans run those types of ads regularly, including on liberal outlets like MSNBC, but Dems should be doing the same on outlets like FOX.
The democrats need to be running television spots, encouraging the Republicans and Trump to sit down and look at fixing and strengthening the ACA so that it remains solvent. Otherwise, it will fail and millions will be left without coverage.
Republicans run those types of ads regularly, including on liberal outlets like MSNBC, but Dems should be doing the same on outlets like FOX.
2
This whole Trump presidency will go down in history as the most incompetent and divisive administration lead by a con man with absolutely no knowledge of how to effectively and intelligently run our government. What's even more pathetic are Trump and the Republican Party supporters who still find excuses to defend these guys.
2
Gloating over this failure by the self-rigijteous sanctimious Democrats and certain arrogant Republicans alike do me no good. I need solutions, and Obamacare is NOT the solution, and apparently NEITHER was the latest Republican one. People here, including the NYT, need to grow up and beyond partisan politics and provide solutions, not gloating. The independent segment of the population, like me, will grow larger and larger and start rebelling against the likes of you extremists here at the NYT, as well as those at FOX, etc.
2
Is it Trumpcare? Is it Ryancare? Wait, it's two mints, two mints in one. The Double Mint Twins are very different in nature. One considers himself the brains of the GOP, not a title one would ascribed much worth to, sort of like being the coach of the worst team in whichever sport you prefer.
The other Double Mint Twin is the showboat, the know-nothing goof ball, the towel-snapping locker room banter boy. Oh yeah, and he's the Closer.
There is no need to name either Double Mint. We know who is who. And so, these bi-polar opposite twins get together, and construct a plan. The heavy lifting of course goes to The Brain. He's a Big Brain, and he's been working on this plan for years. It's a fantastic, tremendous, stupendous plan. Then the Twins bring this Foolproof Plan before their members, who control the majority in both Houses of Congress. What could go wrong? What, in fact, do they have to lose?
Apparently, a lot. Losing face is a serious business. In Japan, it can exact extreme consequences. Luckily, in the United States, we are not are demanding of such retribution when it comes to the failure of our leaders. We note their names, and come election time, which for Representatives comes every other year, we make our displeasure known at the polls. While other nations might demand their heads, all we demand is their removal from office.
DD
Manhattan
The other Double Mint Twin is the showboat, the know-nothing goof ball, the towel-snapping locker room banter boy. Oh yeah, and he's the Closer.
There is no need to name either Double Mint. We know who is who. And so, these bi-polar opposite twins get together, and construct a plan. The heavy lifting of course goes to The Brain. He's a Big Brain, and he's been working on this plan for years. It's a fantastic, tremendous, stupendous plan. Then the Twins bring this Foolproof Plan before their members, who control the majority in both Houses of Congress. What could go wrong? What, in fact, do they have to lose?
Apparently, a lot. Losing face is a serious business. In Japan, it can exact extreme consequences. Luckily, in the United States, we are not are demanding of such retribution when it comes to the failure of our leaders. We note their names, and come election time, which for Representatives comes every other year, we make our displeasure known at the polls. While other nations might demand their heads, all we demand is their removal from office.
DD
Manhattan
2
The big story should be how easily Trump was willing to throw his ardent supporters under the bus, just so he could make a "deal." The initial bill, with its betrayal of older, poorer Americans, was bad enough, but the cavalier way he accepted eliminating required benefits shows how little he cares about these loyal but misguided voters. He calls them "my people," but that's only to sell them his foreign-made MAGA hats and to get them to turn out for his rallies in airport hangars, before jetting off, at their expense, to his private club/estate, where his real people are. As for blaming the Freedom Caucus, they are merely the monster creation of the morally-bankrupt Republican Party and its craven leaders, McConnell and Ryan. This hair shirt belongs to Trump.
Four more years of Trump and company will be hard. Trump is a casino operator. He has no knowledge of governing. However, the USA will survive. Hopefully, Trump will spend more time in Mar-A-Lago, and stay out of DC. It will be good for him and the country.
How to pass a bill which guarantees health care for all US citizens.
This is a debate which should be aired publically on public television until
a viable conclusion is met...and agreed to by ALL US citizens....
The partisan and unviable Health Care plan...will never succeed...and the
time wasted by the endeavor to privatize health care....is DOA.
Let's have a public forum such as a moderated Q & A...such as the Oxford
Debate forum....and then...we will be able to evolve as a nation which
guarantees health care for every citizen.
This is a debate which should be aired publically on public television until
a viable conclusion is met...and agreed to by ALL US citizens....
The partisan and unviable Health Care plan...will never succeed...and the
time wasted by the endeavor to privatize health care....is DOA.
Let's have a public forum such as a moderated Q & A...such as the Oxford
Debate forum....and then...we will be able to evolve as a nation which
guarantees health care for every citizen.
3
Liberals were cheering on the Freedom Caucus as they blocked this bill from being approved. But they need to realize that this is not a case of "the enemies of our enemies are our friends". The Caucus is decidedly not a friend of Liberals.
The Caucus was against this bill because it was too moderate, even as regressive as it was. They wanted more cuts, less coverages, and even more wealth transferred to the wealthy. If the Caucus had had their way, Liberals would have seen a much harsher bill passed instead of the one which was withdrawn.
So the ACA has survived the onslaught from the extreme right, but for how long? The extremists won't sit silently about this. They will try again, and again, and again. After all, these are the same people who passed a repeal of the ACA over 60 times. They won't give up.
Now is the time for Liberals to redouble their efforts against the right. They can't settle back and bask in the glory of this defeat. Victory is transient and requires constant diligence to survive. The Democrats need to come forward with a plan to fix the problems with the ACA which drove the right against it. This window of opportunity is short-lived. The Democrats must act now. They must count this failure of the Republicans as just one step forward in the long march toward the healthcare plan that the country really wants.
And the Democrats must use this setback as a springboard to taking back Congress in 2018. Both houses are now in sight.
Don't relax now.
The Caucus was against this bill because it was too moderate, even as regressive as it was. They wanted more cuts, less coverages, and even more wealth transferred to the wealthy. If the Caucus had had their way, Liberals would have seen a much harsher bill passed instead of the one which was withdrawn.
So the ACA has survived the onslaught from the extreme right, but for how long? The extremists won't sit silently about this. They will try again, and again, and again. After all, these are the same people who passed a repeal of the ACA over 60 times. They won't give up.
Now is the time for Liberals to redouble their efforts against the right. They can't settle back and bask in the glory of this defeat. Victory is transient and requires constant diligence to survive. The Democrats need to come forward with a plan to fix the problems with the ACA which drove the right against it. This window of opportunity is short-lived. The Democrats must act now. They must count this failure of the Republicans as just one step forward in the long march toward the healthcare plan that the country really wants.
And the Democrats must use this setback as a springboard to taking back Congress in 2018. Both houses are now in sight.
Don't relax now.
2
So we will not eat cake. Yet.
Meanwhile. I will celebrate this win for most American people.
To Trump, I wish that the defeat of the bill will trigger a post mortem staff-GOP representatives meeting, I refer to the ones that forgot they are a separate branch of Government and have the compulsion to report to the President in order to get a good grade.
This post-mortem meeting should enlight them about what they were about to pass so next time the effort will focus on what can be improved: coverage and premiums not on breaking the good parts of it. It is called lessons learned: Corporate America 101.
Full disclosure: I have an independent health care insurance that with the ACA cap on premiums, cost me $1,075.00 monthly. Not perfect but better than multiplying that premium by 3. I will welcome improvements.
Meanwhile. I will celebrate this win for most American people.
To Trump, I wish that the defeat of the bill will trigger a post mortem staff-GOP representatives meeting, I refer to the ones that forgot they are a separate branch of Government and have the compulsion to report to the President in order to get a good grade.
This post-mortem meeting should enlight them about what they were about to pass so next time the effort will focus on what can be improved: coverage and premiums not on breaking the good parts of it. It is called lessons learned: Corporate America 101.
Full disclosure: I have an independent health care insurance that with the ACA cap on premiums, cost me $1,075.00 monthly. Not perfect but better than multiplying that premium by 3. I will welcome improvements.
The goal isn't to provide people with insurance; the goal is to provide people with health care. Insurance is simply one means of doing that.
Markets don't work when people are provided the product whether they choose to buy it or not. Markets fail miserably when people are provided a more expensive product when they choose not to buy it. That's health care in America, where emergency rooms are required to treat all comers.
The inevitable conclusion of the market model for health care is that people without the ability to pay, whether through insurance or through their pocketbook, must be turned away. Republican debate audiences cheer this.
We can fiddle with deductibles and subsidies till the end of time, but the only way to reconcile with our social insistence that the sick be treated is to shift to a Medicare-for-all system where health care providers are paid by the government to provide health care to those who need it.
Republicans can preserve their precious markets in optional medical services, like cosmetic rhinoplasty and breast sculpting, but preventative care saves resources in the long run and chronic and catastrophic care does too. These simply have to be provided, and we have to allocate our resources as a society to do it.
Markets don't work when people are provided the product whether they choose to buy it or not. Markets fail miserably when people are provided a more expensive product when they choose not to buy it. That's health care in America, where emergency rooms are required to treat all comers.
The inevitable conclusion of the market model for health care is that people without the ability to pay, whether through insurance or through their pocketbook, must be turned away. Republican debate audiences cheer this.
We can fiddle with deductibles and subsidies till the end of time, but the only way to reconcile with our social insistence that the sick be treated is to shift to a Medicare-for-all system where health care providers are paid by the government to provide health care to those who need it.
Republicans can preserve their precious markets in optional medical services, like cosmetic rhinoplasty and breast sculpting, but preventative care saves resources in the long run and chronic and catastrophic care does too. These simply have to be provided, and we have to allocate our resources as a society to do it.
2
So the Emperor has no clothes. Shocker? Not! He's a part-time RE dealer with a sketchy track record, who mostly sells a shabby-chic brand, when he can. He 100% lacks political deal making experience - and he's certainly no Lyndon Johnson, not even a 5th rate Reagan.
While the Repubs are a like a bunch of understudies waiting in the wings for their big moment, most of whom don't know what the motivation for their character is. Except to be belligerent to peoples real needs. And Paul "Opie" Ryan, has less control of the House then Boehner did when they booted him out! In fact, its zero control! He thinks he can dust off his wonky Republican think-tank paper, present it like the tablets given to Moses, and everyone will fall in line, because "now is the historic moment." LOL! Yes, it was - it was the moment for the Repubs to actually do some really hard work! Cause finger-pointing and lying about X or Y isnt real work!
He said as much yesterday when, like his boss, admitted; "its hard to get difficult things done." No kidding Captain Obvious! The rest of us, most of us, knew that already...we watched the generation of the ACA, and the failures of all its predecessors. And guess what the major underlying problem to all was? REPUBLICANS!
Like "Opie's" esteemed predecessor said, in his 25 years in office he never once saw Repubs agree on anything re; health-care/insurance. But Senator Wonky was gonna do it in under 4 weeks! Clearly the history record escaped him.
While the Repubs are a like a bunch of understudies waiting in the wings for their big moment, most of whom don't know what the motivation for their character is. Except to be belligerent to peoples real needs. And Paul "Opie" Ryan, has less control of the House then Boehner did when they booted him out! In fact, its zero control! He thinks he can dust off his wonky Republican think-tank paper, present it like the tablets given to Moses, and everyone will fall in line, because "now is the historic moment." LOL! Yes, it was - it was the moment for the Repubs to actually do some really hard work! Cause finger-pointing and lying about X or Y isnt real work!
He said as much yesterday when, like his boss, admitted; "its hard to get difficult things done." No kidding Captain Obvious! The rest of us, most of us, knew that already...we watched the generation of the ACA, and the failures of all its predecessors. And guess what the major underlying problem to all was? REPUBLICANS!
Like "Opie's" esteemed predecessor said, in his 25 years in office he never once saw Repubs agree on anything re; health-care/insurance. But Senator Wonky was gonna do it in under 4 weeks! Clearly the history record escaped him.
2
What seems evident that few are talking about is it appears that a good many of representatives on the Republican side of the isle, apparently were absent from their fourth grade class the day the word "compromise" was on their vocabulary test. They obviously don't know the meaning of the word nor do they have an inkling that it is a basic requirement to governing, another word that they apparently missed.
For the last six years of the Obama administration, Republicans stonewalled the President every step of the way. Now they, and especially the far right wing of the party, are doing it to themselves because they refuse to see any point of view that's not their own. Regardless whether you feel Obamacare is a total failure or just needs to be fixed, this is an epic failure of leadership. Many on the right don't belong in government.
For the last six years of the Obama administration, Republicans stonewalled the President every step of the way. Now they, and especially the far right wing of the party, are doing it to themselves because they refuse to see any point of view that's not their own. Regardless whether you feel Obamacare is a total failure or just needs to be fixed, this is an epic failure of leadership. Many on the right don't belong in government.
2
Okay let's put things into perspective; 55% of Americans want to keep and or fix the Affordable Care Act. Only 17 % of Americans thought the Trump-Ryan tax cut disguised as a health-care plan was a good idea. It isn't finger pointing that Republicans need; it's introspection.
1
We can be grateful that the checks and balances are in place and operative and freedom of the press prevailed. In this case the constituents registered extreme disapproval of the thoroughly mean, hasty Act that failed yesterday. It is obvious that Trump and his cohorts want to operate a Fascist government. When video of his unequivocal campaign and even inaugural promises to immediately replace the ACA with a law that provides health insurance to all at a lower cost is replayed one of the more obvious big lies upon which Trump has depended will cost him what support he has left among his fans. Trump's likely administrative edicts to undermine the operation of the ACA will be on display as well and will further erode what support he needs to govern. Our system of government works and the mid-term elections may well mark the end of the beginning of this nightmare Administration with its mean spirited initiatives.
Next up is the Supreme Court nominee who is a similarly mean spirited person who must not be approved. Yes, the rules may be changed to railroad him to approval, but every American should be informed of the nominee's ideology and how it can hurt them. We can only hope that the sitting Justices remain healthy until Trump is gone.
Next up is the Supreme Court nominee who is a similarly mean spirited person who must not be approved. Yes, the rules may be changed to railroad him to approval, but every American should be informed of the nominee's ideology and how it can hurt them. We can only hope that the sitting Justices remain healthy until Trump is gone.
2
Trump's a loser!
2
This debacle exposed not only the incompetence and arrogance of Trump but also heartlessness of some Republicans--they don't care what they demanded would really cause harm to millions of American. Trump thought he could charm or threaten congress to a yes vote for the AHCA, he is so wrong! He shamelessly blamed the Democrats. This the POTUS who always blames others for his own failure and shortcoming.
1
Trump's incoherent mutterings about the ACA imploding or exploding probably suggest his administration will do everything possible to subvert its implementation, no matter the cost in human misery to the poor and middle-class. An unthinking reflex of hatred for Obama - the man, his policies, and his legacy - possesses Trump and drives him. It is driven by his fears and suspicions that despite all the bragging and posing he himself is a phony, ineffective, incompetent, and undeserving of power or privilege.
2
This bill, whatever it was, had nothing to do with health care: it was all about wealth care.
4
Now let's fix Obamacare, and let the administration take credit for it, and rename it. Elements could include tort reform, the public option, folding in the VA, increasing the individual mandate, and requiring all states to expand medicaid.
2
Perhaps you're too young to remember, but we've "fixed" Medicare multiple times in the past, and it's still broken. Yet somehow you think government can "fix" Obamacare? Your lack of intellect reveals the problem of public schools in the US: You do not know how to think.
1
Who knew governing could be so complicated?
#LoserDonald
#LoserDonald
3
Remember Trump wanted to do tax reform first. He thought the
Obama Care program was in such trouble, he put its replacement
down as his first priority. You really should wish the President well.
He is trying to help America.
Obama Care program was in such trouble, he put its replacement
down as his first priority. You really should wish the President well.
He is trying to help America.
1
"Success has many fathers while failure is an orphan."
2
I hear people are calling for Paul Ryan to be replaced. By whom? No one in their right mind would take on the job of herding that bunch of cats. John Boehner is probably laughing all the way to the golf club.
1
Donald Trump blaming the Democrats for not cooperating on this bill is like a spouse abuser blaming a responding police officer for not letting him teach his wife one more lesson.
3
It's time for the biggest march on Washington, ever. (Trump likes records--let's give him one.)
It's time to demonstrate America's desire for a SINGLE PAYER system, a la Canada. Desire? No, demand!
Bet democrat and republican voters would both show up for this one. Meet up maybe July 3rd?
It's time to demonstrate America's desire for a SINGLE PAYER system, a la Canada. Desire? No, demand!
Bet democrat and republican voters would both show up for this one. Meet up maybe July 3rd?
6
Now in the wake of Republican ineptitude it is time for Democrats and Independents to push them back on their heels and work toward Medicare for all. Senator Bernie Sanders said on MSNBC last night that he would be introducing such a bill soon.
The Republicans may control the levers of government, but they have fumbled the ball and have no one but themselves to blame. Independents and Democrats should now lay the ground for 2018 and ask the American people for a mandate to create Universal coverage for all Americans.
The Republicans may control the levers of government, but they have fumbled the ball and have no one but themselves to blame. Independents and Democrats should now lay the ground for 2018 and ask the American people for a mandate to create Universal coverage for all Americans.
6
Obamacare 1 Trumpdontcare 0
3
A pair of LOSERS!! What a debacle. They would have destroyed the lives of Millions of people.
5
The most astonishing and ironic part of all of this is that the ACA was co-written by industry lobbyists and was basically a re-dressed version of a private health insurance company-friendly Republican plan from the 90's that Republicans then re-named Obamacare. The private health insurance industry, whose rapacious greed is being protected by both parties, is not crying over the death of TrumpRyanCare. They still control the game with no real competition.
5
When you think about what is right for the vast majority of the American people, it is not what republicans want. Republicans want limited government until it benefits them to have more - such as in cleaning up their homes after a hurricane or a flood. Republicans, especially very rich republicans, want lower taxes. They try to cloak their agendas by wrapping them in names like Americans for Prosperity and American Enterprise.
6
If the Republicans want to focus on an agenda item that will have broad support, they would be wise to focus on infrastructure next.
1
The GOP and Trump failed because American's came out in force and let Representatives and Senators know they would lose their seats in 2018. In New Jersey 4 GOP congressmen vote no, all who had voted previously to get rid of the ACA. This happened around the country. If you want congress to do its job stay involved and let them know their out if they don't start working for you and not the few millionaire, billionaires and corporations.
3
Some good has come out of this debacle.
-- It is time to put ideology aside and discuss what is the most cost efficient way to deliver quality healthcare to all Americans.
-- A couple of key learnings came out of this. Americans are now realizing that quality healthcare no matter what your income is essential and yes a right not and option.
-- And, if we heard nothing the past two weeks, the larger the pool of insured people, the lower the risk as you have a balanced blend of payers and users.
So, DUH, how do you get the biggest pool? Easy, put everyone in it. Lets not call it single payer, lets call it the American Healthcare Pool and you fund it as you do now with employer and individual contributions. For those without that option, they shop plan in one click that meets their needs from one provider--the American Healthcare Pool. Medicaid based on income-sorry poor people get sick
-- First, you take the provider "profit" margin out of the system. If you don't want to hire a large gov't bureaucracy to fund it you have a ONE private entity administer it for a fixed fee. No padding the federal payrolls for the deficit hawks and no argument that government can't run anything (which is totally debunked by current Medicare which is a dream).
You now have a risk pool of 365 million people, the majority fairly healthy and funding the system as we do now. The difference is huge profits to insurance company shareholders, obscene executive costs and administrative costs go away.
-- It is time to put ideology aside and discuss what is the most cost efficient way to deliver quality healthcare to all Americans.
-- A couple of key learnings came out of this. Americans are now realizing that quality healthcare no matter what your income is essential and yes a right not and option.
-- And, if we heard nothing the past two weeks, the larger the pool of insured people, the lower the risk as you have a balanced blend of payers and users.
So, DUH, how do you get the biggest pool? Easy, put everyone in it. Lets not call it single payer, lets call it the American Healthcare Pool and you fund it as you do now with employer and individual contributions. For those without that option, they shop plan in one click that meets their needs from one provider--the American Healthcare Pool. Medicaid based on income-sorry poor people get sick
-- First, you take the provider "profit" margin out of the system. If you don't want to hire a large gov't bureaucracy to fund it you have a ONE private entity administer it for a fixed fee. No padding the federal payrolls for the deficit hawks and no argument that government can't run anything (which is totally debunked by current Medicare which is a dream).
You now have a risk pool of 365 million people, the majority fairly healthy and funding the system as we do now. The difference is huge profits to insurance company shareholders, obscene executive costs and administrative costs go away.
4
This is probably the biggest collection of incompetent individuals
ever to try to administer and legislate the U.S. government.
The resilience of the democracy is being tested from the top
down and all around.
Trump's kids must get onboard any effort to 'pull him off the track'
and save four years of hell for America and the world. They could do
it in the interest of his own well-being, and we will be supportive,
just as long as this man and his enabling fools go back to private life.
ever to try to administer and legislate the U.S. government.
The resilience of the democracy is being tested from the top
down and all around.
Trump's kids must get onboard any effort to 'pull him off the track'
and save four years of hell for America and the world. They could do
it in the interest of his own well-being, and we will be supportive,
just as long as this man and his enabling fools go back to private life.
2
No debacle at all.
Nothing has changed for me. I pay for my own insurance and don't rely on the government.
Nothing has changed for me. I pay for my own insurance and don't rely on the government.
"More generous subsidies for people with modest incomes could bring the cost of health care down at a relatively small expense to the government."
Maybe if Trump would cut down his Mar-a-Lago trips to one a month, we could afford more generous subsidies.
Maybe if Trump would cut down his Mar-a-Lago trips to one a month, we could afford more generous subsidies.
1
I too worry about administrative sabotage to hasten the longed-for collapse of Affordable Care.
What will be our recourse when Mr. Price issues harmful regulations? Maybe a large-scale, well-organized display of 1000s of case studies showing how those harms will play out in real life for real people?
What will be our recourse when Mr. Price issues harmful regulations? Maybe a large-scale, well-organized display of 1000s of case studies showing how those harms will play out in real life for real people?
2
Republicans don't know how to govern, it is very easy to sit in a corner and yell, "NO", but they are unable to do the heavy lifting. It is unclear that this group will be able to change the tax structure (to benefit the 1%), infrastructure or the various treaties. To quote trump, "who thought this was so hard", stupidity thinks everything is easy. Ryan is a total bluff with very little skill to corral the Conservative Fringe, who ideals are beyond the means of governing well. This leaves the Moderates with very little to truly offer their voters.
This group makes the Keystone Kops look good.
This group makes the Keystone Kops look good.
3
I am less optimistic about the consequences of this charade. Listening
to the democrat lower Duma group during their press discussion, they seemed
to believe still that there were people party members interested in working
with them to improve current difficulties with ACA implementation. This
just continues the illusion that the leadership of the lower Duma is interested in crafting and passing legislation for the good of citizens. After all the evidence to the contrary, it is amazing that this illusion persists.
The only way the current farce vis a vis ACA changes for the better is
to decide that the take no prisoner Tea Party clique should not enjoy veto power over legislation. This is hardly likely given the leadership in the lower Duma. Indeed, Ryan is closer to it than Boehner ever was.
So with whom will the democrat minority work to craft improvements to ACA that enjoy "bipartisan" support and could pass without the majority of the people's party?
Without such, ACA will suffer from continual sniping, underfunding, purposefully incompetent HHS oversight, that will be seen in insurance
companies policies and premium changes for the worse. The return of
full funding for the Risk Corridor transition period offers a good test
to see if any people party members want to improve ACA.
The democrats will find zero interest in any passable improvements. So
in 2018, all this sturm und drang will have been forgotten and
candidates will still run against ACA.
party
to the democrat lower Duma group during their press discussion, they seemed
to believe still that there were people party members interested in working
with them to improve current difficulties with ACA implementation. This
just continues the illusion that the leadership of the lower Duma is interested in crafting and passing legislation for the good of citizens. After all the evidence to the contrary, it is amazing that this illusion persists.
The only way the current farce vis a vis ACA changes for the better is
to decide that the take no prisoner Tea Party clique should not enjoy veto power over legislation. This is hardly likely given the leadership in the lower Duma. Indeed, Ryan is closer to it than Boehner ever was.
So with whom will the democrat minority work to craft improvements to ACA that enjoy "bipartisan" support and could pass without the majority of the people's party?
Without such, ACA will suffer from continual sniping, underfunding, purposefully incompetent HHS oversight, that will be seen in insurance
companies policies and premium changes for the worse. The return of
full funding for the Risk Corridor transition period offers a good test
to see if any people party members want to improve ACA.
The democrats will find zero interest in any passable improvements. So
in 2018, all this sturm und drang will have been forgotten and
candidates will still run against ACA.
party
The point I rarely see after editorial writers have mentioned that nothing mattered more to the Republicans for the past seven years than repealing the ACA is that this awful display of incompetence illustrates that, over all those years and election cycles, they never even tried to craft anything that would improve the law.
8
Mr. Trump has run up against a harsh reality. Negotiating real estate deals, no matter how yuge they are, is child's play compared to the sausage grinder of negotiating legislation where everyone's real agenda is hidden and nothing is what it appears to be.
But after spending seven years screaming "repeal and replace" the GOP spent just eighteen days to formulate a plan that was no plan at all, with no committee hearings at all, with no input from stakeholders at all. They then scheduled a vote on the symbolically important date of the anniversary of Obama's signing ACA into law -- before they even had a preliminary whip count.
It should be crystal clear even to Messrs. Ryan and Trump that if they want to move real meaningful legislation, they will have to bypass the Hoover Dam that calls itself the "Freedom Caucus" and find their votes on the other side of the isle. Of course, that would require leadership and would probably cost Ryan his speakership.
But after spending seven years screaming "repeal and replace" the GOP spent just eighteen days to formulate a plan that was no plan at all, with no committee hearings at all, with no input from stakeholders at all. They then scheduled a vote on the symbolically important date of the anniversary of Obama's signing ACA into law -- before they even had a preliminary whip count.
It should be crystal clear even to Messrs. Ryan and Trump that if they want to move real meaningful legislation, they will have to bypass the Hoover Dam that calls itself the "Freedom Caucus" and find their votes on the other side of the isle. Of course, that would require leadership and would probably cost Ryan his speakership.
7
As long as "universal coverage" is based on a for profit private insurance system it will continue being very expensive for some. Only solution is a single payer, Medicare for All. The other thing that needs to happen is to have intense and comprehensive public education about the need to change lifestyle and nutrition in order to prevent disease, a massive undertaking as most people would rather take a "magic pill" than do the basic changes that are needed. Trillions of dollars spent in treating the most common illnesses that currently affect us would be saved over a decade, yes, trillions.
The solution is so easy and inexpensive but we live in a society where people feel no one can tell them what to do (because they KNOW better) in addition to the numerous entities in the Food and Agriculture Industries is to make profits no matter what. We currently throw away millions of tons of food and vegetable items. Ina few years, 60% of Americans will be overweight or obese, with the resulting degradation in health; meanwhile, millions are starving because they do not have enough to eat.
It is a moral and social tragedy.
The solution is so easy and inexpensive but we live in a society where people feel no one can tell them what to do (because they KNOW better) in addition to the numerous entities in the Food and Agriculture Industries is to make profits no matter what. We currently throw away millions of tons of food and vegetable items. Ina few years, 60% of Americans will be overweight or obese, with the resulting degradation in health; meanwhile, millions are starving because they do not have enough to eat.
It is a moral and social tragedy.
5
Bravo! Bravo! Bravo! When the ACA first was established, that the American Grocers Association, big Ag, big Pharma would keep more people sick than could possibly be treated or persuaded to change their lifestyles was obvious.
Fortunately, the free annual check-up has had some effect on publicity about good nutrition and more people of all ages are exercising. The TV channel I watch for news has, however, a disgusting array of big Pharma and Exxon ads, both of which are definitely anti-health and seen by millions.
When do we factor in climate change?
Fortunately, the free annual check-up has had some effect on publicity about good nutrition and more people of all ages are exercising. The TV channel I watch for news has, however, a disgusting array of big Pharma and Exxon ads, both of which are definitely anti-health and seen by millions.
When do we factor in climate change?
What's frustrating me about the reporting (the actual content is another story) is that there's no mention of the campaign promise repeated over and over about the "beautiful" healthcare - he obviously had no plan of his own b/c as soon as he was elected he asked the Republicans to draft one. Why is this not being brought in EVERY STORY? It should at least be mentioned so that if there are members of his base who have even a few functioning brain cells can come to the conclusion for themselves that he LIES! He kept saying that he had a plan but obviously he has no plan himself - he just tells other people to come up with something so he can take the credit or lay blame - however it ends up going.
This country will only be salvaged when the 40+% that voted for him start to THINK. I no longer feel bad when I say that - the NYT article that had examples of how many of T's supporters had benefited from progams that he wanted to cut but STILL SUPPORTED him was further proof these people are not thinking. That couple that would've lost their farm and had to live in their car - would they feel better when it happened to their neighbors thanks to DontheCon? I'm almost sorry that the bill didn't pass maybe then something would get through to them. We can't function, grow and meet the terrible challenges coming up as a country with 40+% of our populace willfully ignorant.
This country will only be salvaged when the 40+% that voted for him start to THINK. I no longer feel bad when I say that - the NYT article that had examples of how many of T's supporters had benefited from progams that he wanted to cut but STILL SUPPORTED him was further proof these people are not thinking. That couple that would've lost their farm and had to live in their car - would they feel better when it happened to their neighbors thanks to DontheCon? I'm almost sorry that the bill didn't pass maybe then something would get through to them. We can't function, grow and meet the terrible challenges coming up as a country with 40+% of our populace willfully ignorant.
6
CEOs who get an adrenaline rush from negotiating and signing a deal, in my experience, are the ones most distanced from the actual details and the implementation, left to the lawyers (in this case, Ryan) and the minions (for example, the two stiff white-haired props pictured in your story) . Trump the CEO once again proved that his chronic lack of attention to detail, his focus on the "win" and selfishly making it all about himself are losing strategies, contributing to the magnitude of the disaster that is his presidency.
3
That ANY measure put before this so-called "Congress" could be derailed by a group called "The Freedom Caucus", an all white, Tea Party inspired bunch of ultra-conservatives, is a disgrace.
ACA may still be intact but it's defeat changed none of the dynamics of how this bunch operates. Simply put their motto is "I'm right, you're wrong, any questions"?
Meanwhile more people will need health care in the immediate future if this circus passes the "Hearing Protection Act" which would legalize silencers on firearms; seems their concerned about the gun folks hearing versus the multitudes of police and civilians that could be quietly wounded or killed.
So don't become too happy about the ACA triumph; these people are STILL there and have plenty of other crazy legislation to consider like less taxes on the 1% and corporations or doing away with all those "pesky" regulations that protect people from faulty products or phony pyramid schemes.
This fight's still going on and 2018 might just tell us just who's winning.
ACA may still be intact but it's defeat changed none of the dynamics of how this bunch operates. Simply put their motto is "I'm right, you're wrong, any questions"?
Meanwhile more people will need health care in the immediate future if this circus passes the "Hearing Protection Act" which would legalize silencers on firearms; seems their concerned about the gun folks hearing versus the multitudes of police and civilians that could be quietly wounded or killed.
So don't become too happy about the ACA triumph; these people are STILL there and have plenty of other crazy legislation to consider like less taxes on the 1% and corporations or doing away with all those "pesky" regulations that protect people from faulty products or phony pyramid schemes.
This fight's still going on and 2018 might just tell us just who's winning.
2
The scariest thing about this failure is going to be the doubling down of the pain this administration will try to enact. The bill failed because it wasn't sadistic enough for the Freedom Caucus. These inhumane humans are itching to close down government. These hypocrites who take a check from our government after shutting it down, should be the first to get tossed out. The weird thing is that if it wasn't for them a hurtful health care bill would have past. The Democrats should also double down and call for universal health care. They have nothing to lose because they are already losers. It's what the people want. They should also call for less military spending and confrontations, less privatization of our institutions, expand safety nets, fight income equality, provide free education, more immigrant protections, no stupid wall; you know all of Bernie's plans who would have beaten Trump head to head.
4
Numerous Republican governors did their best to scuttle the ACA--here in Maine, Tea Party Gov. LePage refused $$ to provide affordable Medicaid services to Mainers. He's always ready with a quick put-down, such as saying that impoverished Mainers, many of whom are obese, should not be permitted to buy sodas on the taxpayer's dime. Yet he had no evident ethical problem letting us taxpayers pay for his recent bariatric surgery.
5
This is what happens when you have a 70 year old man who doesn't have clue as to what he is doing and has a limited attention span..
Trump is in way over his head, he would rather be sitting up in a big rig cab tooting the horn and make believe he is a trucker steering the truck.
Trump is in way over his head, he would rather be sitting up in a big rig cab tooting the horn and make believe he is a trucker steering the truck.
2
We need more nukes, so forget health care. Now, it's on to the government's real cash cow gifting to the weapons industry and its related corruption. All financed by you and me.
This president is a schoolyard bully, nothing more. He throws tantrums and shoves people around, but when that doesn't work he stomps off to look for other victims. A time out is in order here, preferably of a 3 year and 9 month duration.
2
Donald Trump supported the AHCA even though it didn't accomplish any of the promises he made on the campaign trail
It was not cheaper for the same services
It didn't cover more people
It wouldn't provide more options
All of the tax breaks went to wealthy people and insurance companies
The question we should be asking Trump is, "why did you support a plan that did not meet any of your promises?"
It was not cheaper for the same services
It didn't cover more people
It wouldn't provide more options
All of the tax breaks went to wealthy people and insurance companies
The question we should be asking Trump is, "why did you support a plan that did not meet any of your promises?"
3
Whenever I see photos of Trump in the Oval Office, he's at his desk and a bunch of nameless white guys are standing behind him smiling while he sticks out his lower lip. Perhaps if they actually DID something beyond being props in a photoshoot things could get done around here.
1
I'm very worried that they will undermine the ACA every way they can through back channels. And if they create a "death spiral" (there ain't one now), they will of course blame Obama and the Democrats for their own malfeasance
2
Maybe we should call it TRyanrumpCare.
What is finally becoming more evident on a daily basis, is that the "great dealmaker" in the White House is not crazy like a fox, he's just crazy.
5
great photo of the three stooges in suits.
1
The real reason the bill was Upended was because many thousands of people saw that it would have given SCant relief to millions of sufferers who have inadequate resources to provide for their own health care. It's as simple as that. The hundreds of protests in the streets and in town hall meetings BEARS this OUT.
This has never been about the ACA. It has been about an insecure group of racist's hate of a very intelligent and skilled black man.
5
If Republicans were actually serious about health care, they would have held committee hearings, talked to health care experts, looked at what other advanced countries do with health care, etc. But it has been clear for years they are only interested in "Obamacare" as a political issue, not a major real world issue for the vast majority of Americans.
1
But is it really a debacle?
Or did Trump just give Ryan & Democrats enough rope to hang themselves?
Democrats still own Obamacare. And Obamacare is a failed program.
Ryan and the GOP Congress had 7 years to come up with a viable passable "repeal and replace" plan. Trump gave Ryan the green light and said "Go for it...Let's see what you believe you can get passed and I'll do whatever I can to help" Which is what Trump did.
Did I mention that Democrats still own Obamacare. And Obamacare is a failed program. Most of the people on it, hate it.
$10K deductibles and insanely high premiums. Who wants to be forced into healthcare plans where you can't choose the doctor you really want...or even choose between other plans.
Many states only have one plan choice. By next year, some will have NO Choices as Obamacare dies under it's own weight of ineptitude.
Dems should have voted for RyanCare and hung the healthcare fiasco around the GOP's neck forever. Instead, they gave Trump the out he needed to appear like he was doing everything he could to "repeal and replace", while still keeping the Democrats on the hook for Obamacare, the disaster that cost them the House, the Senate, dozens of Governorships, 1000 state and local government seats...and the Presidency.
And when 2018 rolls around, Obamacare will be exploding in the Democrats faces, for yet another election cycle.
So keep gloating Dems and you hacks in the Media.
Like always, Trump gets the last laugh.
Or did Trump just give Ryan & Democrats enough rope to hang themselves?
Democrats still own Obamacare. And Obamacare is a failed program.
Ryan and the GOP Congress had 7 years to come up with a viable passable "repeal and replace" plan. Trump gave Ryan the green light and said "Go for it...Let's see what you believe you can get passed and I'll do whatever I can to help" Which is what Trump did.
Did I mention that Democrats still own Obamacare. And Obamacare is a failed program. Most of the people on it, hate it.
$10K deductibles and insanely high premiums. Who wants to be forced into healthcare plans where you can't choose the doctor you really want...or even choose between other plans.
Many states only have one plan choice. By next year, some will have NO Choices as Obamacare dies under it's own weight of ineptitude.
Dems should have voted for RyanCare and hung the healthcare fiasco around the GOP's neck forever. Instead, they gave Trump the out he needed to appear like he was doing everything he could to "repeal and replace", while still keeping the Democrats on the hook for Obamacare, the disaster that cost them the House, the Senate, dozens of Governorships, 1000 state and local government seats...and the Presidency.
And when 2018 rolls around, Obamacare will be exploding in the Democrats faces, for yet another election cycle.
So keep gloating Dems and you hacks in the Media.
Like always, Trump gets the last laugh.
1
Ummm. No. You are very very wrong.....
The Times should review U.S. Congressman Jim McGovern's (D-MA) comments on the House Rules Committee on Wednesday where he compared and contrasted the procedures used to enact the AHCA vs ACA. The difference is astounding and reflects extremely poorly on Speaker Ryan. The ACA had over 3000 town hall meetings, thousands of hours of hearings, 42 Republican amendments+. The AHCA had none of these conciliatory ingredients. None. This paper has been too generous to Trump and Ryan for not highlighting the differences.
1
Open letter to President Trump
Dear Mr. President
As disappointing as the House of Representative's non-vote on the healthcare bill was for you, I believe it opens up an opportunity. What the events of the past week demonstrate is any legislation you propose carries the risk of not only being challenged by the Democrats, but also by the so-called Freedom Caucus of your own party. In essence, the Democrats can count 25 more votes on their side any time a bill of some heft is voted on. But what if you could do an end run around the Freedom Caucus? What if you approach the Democrats to help you write legislation that could actually get passed? That created legislation that while not perfect to them or the Republicans would be acceptable enough to each that it could move forward to you desk? Maybe you wouldn't need the Freedom Caucus?
Think about it. It would be the perfect revenge: making the Freedom Caucus irrelevant.
Crazy? You bet. Impossible? Maybe not. You said during the campaign you could work with the Democrats to get things done. And I think the American public would have your back. One of the reasons you were elected was we're all sick of the inane, partisan status quo—as illustrated by the healthcare fiasco—in Washington.
Lincoln ended slavery. FDR ended the Depression. Reagan ended the Cold War. Can Trump end--or at least mollify--the partisanship that stymies the country's progress? Frankly, with this tweak to your technique, you might be the only person who can.
Dear Mr. President
As disappointing as the House of Representative's non-vote on the healthcare bill was for you, I believe it opens up an opportunity. What the events of the past week demonstrate is any legislation you propose carries the risk of not only being challenged by the Democrats, but also by the so-called Freedom Caucus of your own party. In essence, the Democrats can count 25 more votes on their side any time a bill of some heft is voted on. But what if you could do an end run around the Freedom Caucus? What if you approach the Democrats to help you write legislation that could actually get passed? That created legislation that while not perfect to them or the Republicans would be acceptable enough to each that it could move forward to you desk? Maybe you wouldn't need the Freedom Caucus?
Think about it. It would be the perfect revenge: making the Freedom Caucus irrelevant.
Crazy? You bet. Impossible? Maybe not. You said during the campaign you could work with the Democrats to get things done. And I think the American public would have your back. One of the reasons you were elected was we're all sick of the inane, partisan status quo—as illustrated by the healthcare fiasco—in Washington.
Lincoln ended slavery. FDR ended the Depression. Reagan ended the Cold War. Can Trump end--or at least mollify--the partisanship that stymies the country's progress? Frankly, with this tweak to your technique, you might be the only person who can.
This is just the first round of a fifteen round championship fight. The Democrats won round one but America lost. Ridiculously few people understand the overall healthcare system and are overwhelmed by the obscurity of analytical mathematics and statistics offered by bickering, self-serving politicians far more concerned with selfish objectives than helping those they serve. Almost no one commenting here has read the bill nor do they understand the perplexing numbers. Journalists and politicians are especially deficient in mathematics skills, which is one of the reasons why they are in their respective professions. The vast majority of Americans only take heed when they pay more than they did last time." Free" healthcare is not free and responsible, productive, hardworking people will ultimately pay for it, The solution of this problem begins with the individual and the family. My family, though poor, illiterate immigrants, knew how to take care of themselves by eating sensibly, maintaining hygiene, using time-honored natural remedies, having a sense of severity of an illness, eschewing medications and caring for each other. They did not generate unnecessary and frivolous medical costs and only sought medical care when they felt really sick. We will never go back to those times, nor should we. Today's healthcare is light years beyond the " old days" but the responsibility for optimum health remains with the individual and the family. Let's start there.
1
... and now on to Single Payer.
Trump proved he lied. Again.
Ryan proved he is John Boehner. Again.
Pence keeps his tight little smile and thinks, "Only 40 more days til Meadows and the Freedom Caucus get that list completed, we dump every law we hate - and, boyo! There are SOOOOO many! - and then it's Amendment 25, Section 4 and I am RID of this guy!"
But let's not forget that there was no "plan" on either repealing or replacing the ACA.
Republicans have been scamming this country for the last 7 years.
Trump is simply the new scammer on the block.
I'm sure he was horrified when he discovered that the Republicans had zip.
They had 7 years to beg, borrow or steal a medical plan. They could have picked one up anywhere. My choice would have been Canada, but that's simply because I like a system that covers everyone and doesn't bankrupt the country through the insurance companies. Anyways, plans are out there. They could have bought a couple or had one of their tax-exempt think tanks make another one up.
But they didn't.
However, on the next item, tax-cuts of $300 BILLION DOLLARS to the top 2% (to go along with that $54 BILLION DOLLARS for Defense) I'm sure we'll find that that will pass in a microsecond, all details worked out.....
So, here it is: The $54 BILLION stripped out every poverty program.
$300 BILLION is going to strip out the rest of this nation.
Almost a half-TRILLION dollars gone. POOF.
Wake up: It's all about the MONEY.
Phase 2, commencing. Beware...
Trump proved he lied. Again.
Ryan proved he is John Boehner. Again.
Pence keeps his tight little smile and thinks, "Only 40 more days til Meadows and the Freedom Caucus get that list completed, we dump every law we hate - and, boyo! There are SOOOOO many! - and then it's Amendment 25, Section 4 and I am RID of this guy!"
But let's not forget that there was no "plan" on either repealing or replacing the ACA.
Republicans have been scamming this country for the last 7 years.
Trump is simply the new scammer on the block.
I'm sure he was horrified when he discovered that the Republicans had zip.
They had 7 years to beg, borrow or steal a medical plan. They could have picked one up anywhere. My choice would have been Canada, but that's simply because I like a system that covers everyone and doesn't bankrupt the country through the insurance companies. Anyways, plans are out there. They could have bought a couple or had one of their tax-exempt think tanks make another one up.
But they didn't.
However, on the next item, tax-cuts of $300 BILLION DOLLARS to the top 2% (to go along with that $54 BILLION DOLLARS for Defense) I'm sure we'll find that that will pass in a microsecond, all details worked out.....
So, here it is: The $54 BILLION stripped out every poverty program.
$300 BILLION is going to strip out the rest of this nation.
Almost a half-TRILLION dollars gone. POOF.
Wake up: It's all about the MONEY.
Phase 2, commencing. Beware...
4
I bet trump & ryan were secretly praying for the bill's defeat...they had their own secret repeal the repeal
1
Both democrats and republicans have an opportunity here to put the interests of Americans ahead of partisan politics. The country needs a health care system that serves the needs of all and is fiscally sensible. I don't have faith that Trump will help, but congress--and governors--could work together to improve ACA. This is a test of leadership for all. I hope the democrats take the gist step and propose working together.
1
Republicans blocked progress for years in opposition.
Republicans now block progress by incompetence while in government.
I'm beginning to see the problem here.
Note: after undermining the ACA at every turn for years, you can act dumb and pretend it is not your problem if it fails!
Republicans now block progress by incompetence while in government.
I'm beginning to see the problem here.
Note: after undermining the ACA at every turn for years, you can act dumb and pretend it is not your problem if it fails!
1
It was interesting that the Freedom Caucus succeeded in defeating this bill. So a group of 30 or 40 Congressmen now rule the nation? At some point moderate Republicans may decide that they need to bring in Democrats to accomplish anything, and that being a moderate, rather than a right wing extremist might be a good thing. Or Democrats may succeed in enticing moderate Republicans into supporting rational legislation. I know it's a stretch, but the solid Republican voting bloc may be developing cracks.
For me, it's not so much the defeat of Trump/Ryan that I celebrate; it is the preservation of the ACA for now, flawed as it may be. Under "TrumpCare" many of us would have suffered and died earlier. We are pulled back from the brink of disaster, at least for now.
There are many ways to provide universal coverage. It's done throughout the world. We don't need to reinvent the wheel. However, one thing for sure it that there will be a cost. It would make sense to promote healthy lifestyles and preventive care to the extent possible. Many countries have "hybrid plans", in which every citizen has access to basic care. Those with the resources can pay for "upgrades" through private insurance. That seems reasonable to me. Either that or single payor, which would be tough to pull off. Single payor would be the most cost efficient. Citizens would still have a broad range of choices with regard to providers, and you could still have HMO's to help better manage the funds. That's what Medicare does now. There are experts out there on this stuff - both conservative and progressive. Consult them, and at least make an effort to do what's best for Americans.
1
If Trump truly wants to have a memorable health care plan, he shouldn't be looking for ways to bring the very small Freedom Caucus into his planning. He need only look the the hundreds of Democratic votes just sitting there, waiting to be asked. Get them involved, fix Obamacare (even give it a new name if you want) and we can have the world's best health care system. But that takes a Statesman, not a politician, and Statesmen are apparently in short supply.
100
Let Obama-Big-Insurance-Scam implode on its own. Well done Republicans, well done.
1
Pssssst -- small secret -- ACA is not imploding. All of those "facts" about states with no insurers are just lies. You got suckered
2
The Republicans gained exactly what they wanted out of fighting "Obamacare" for 7 years. They used it (along with a lot of other dark, nefarious and sometimes specious arguments) for straw man arguments to gin up enough voters to get them elected - that has been and continues to be the story. It worked - they have gained control of virtually everything and are in the process of dramatically changing the direction of our country. The actual legislating around Obamacare itself was never going to be the story.
I can fix Obamacare.
The keys are simple: Get everyone enrolled which will add healthy payers and lower individual costs, and provide ways to cover more lower income people who still might not be able to afford it. This requires only 3 things.
1. Iron-clad mandate: If you haven't enrolled in a plan, you're automatically signed up for a base plan (or Medicaid) when you file your taxes or go to a hospital for medical care. The cost of your premium is added to your taxes (minus your subsidy). People will sign up
2. Mandatory state participation in Medicaid expansion: The SCOTUS ruled against this because of the wording of the Act, and left open the possibility of a legislative remedy that would pass constitutional muster. This will cover more of the people who now have the most trouble paying premiums.
3. Government option: The government would be an insurer of last resort whenever and wherever private payors are unavailable.
Of course, 2 and 3 were part of the original ACA as was a more muscular mandate. Still, this is stroke-of-the-pen work.
And yes, single payor is clearly preferable, but let's not pretend there are no workable fixes for the ACA. Oh, right, the Republicans will refuse to do what's sane, compassionate and good for their constituents---I think they swore an oath to that effect. So...too many Republicans in Congress? I've got an answer for that too. So do you, my friends.
The keys are simple: Get everyone enrolled which will add healthy payers and lower individual costs, and provide ways to cover more lower income people who still might not be able to afford it. This requires only 3 things.
1. Iron-clad mandate: If you haven't enrolled in a plan, you're automatically signed up for a base plan (or Medicaid) when you file your taxes or go to a hospital for medical care. The cost of your premium is added to your taxes (minus your subsidy). People will sign up
2. Mandatory state participation in Medicaid expansion: The SCOTUS ruled against this because of the wording of the Act, and left open the possibility of a legislative remedy that would pass constitutional muster. This will cover more of the people who now have the most trouble paying premiums.
3. Government option: The government would be an insurer of last resort whenever and wherever private payors are unavailable.
Of course, 2 and 3 were part of the original ACA as was a more muscular mandate. Still, this is stroke-of-the-pen work.
And yes, single payor is clearly preferable, but let's not pretend there are no workable fixes for the ACA. Oh, right, the Republicans will refuse to do what's sane, compassionate and good for their constituents---I think they swore an oath to that effect. So...too many Republicans in Congress? I've got an answer for that too. So do you, my friends.
2
Democrats should spend little time celebrating this "victory." The ACA needs repairs and the Democrats should immediately be proposing and talking with the public about legislation that can further shore up the long-term success of the ACA. They should also be reach out to the more moderate Republicans who saw value in many of the important elements of the ACA to help push forward legislation that will help improve the ACA. This justifiable defeat of the disastrous Republican healthcare vision can be turned into a real win for Democrats by harnessing the positive public sentiments towards the ACA and demonstrating that the Democrats (and more moderate Republicans) can be purveyors of collaboration and progress towards an important goal that will benefit every American.
1
Republicans managed to sow dissatisfaction with Obamacare out of predjucice against Obama. So their constituents learned to be dissatisfied. But voters wanted help with high premiums and they learned that the Republicans had something other than the welfare of hard-pressed Americans in mind with their bill.
Given the Quinnepieac polls, maybe voters have really begun to understand that Republicans serve Corporate and Industry masters rather than the common man and woman and to scrutinize the dedication that Republicans show to the welfare of the rich whenever they propose legislation.
Given the Quinnepieac polls, maybe voters have really begun to understand that Republicans serve Corporate and Industry masters rather than the common man and woman and to scrutinize the dedication that Republicans show to the welfare of the rich whenever they propose legislation.
1
Republicans can continue their nearly decade long tantrum to sabotage the ACA and the bigmouth liar in chief can still get his lemmings to believe that the ACA is going to explode..... very soon.... What a joke.
Who needs healthcare anyway? In this new/old great america the rapture is coming soon and all the suffering republicans are going to heaven. And, without any regulations or checks and balances we won't be able to breathe the air or drink the water anymore anyway.
Who needs healthcare anyway? In this new/old great america the rapture is coming soon and all the suffering republicans are going to heaven. And, without any regulations or checks and balances we won't be able to breathe the air or drink the water anymore anyway.
3
Bravo to the unelected, unqualified Trump daughter, and son-in-law so-called political advisers for leaving town to go skiing on the very day the White House had to do everything it could to get all the votes it needed (from its OWN party) to quash Obamacare. I guess that's what you get for paying someone $0 to work in the WH
5
And as MILLIONS of working class Americans and seniors waited in fears the Trump kids (sons, bimbo wives, kids) tweeted picture after pictures of all the FUN they were having. All it needed was a pix of a big cake with the captio, -- "Hope you all have some cake, too, out on YOUR ski slopes."
These Richie rich kids are not only selfish, they are stupid and oblivious and cruel.
These Richie rich kids are not only selfish, they are stupid and oblivious and cruel.
The elephant in the hospital room is that the free market, or what the Liberty caucus probably refers to as the American Way, is by no means a humane and fair basis for a public health care system.
6
This is the Norquistian government that is too big to drown in a bathtub.
BUT should be drowned in the bathtub.
Is there anything that redeems them after the travesty of the American Death Care Act.
Paul Ryan says: Universal Access. He means IF YOU CAN PAY.
Paul Ryan says: Patient centered. He means the patient pays the full shot unless he is wealthy, then he will get a tax break. Hundreds of billions of tax breaks, AKA money removed from healthcare.
Paul Ryan says lower costs: He means lower tax burden on Americans with incomes over $1,000,000.
Paul Ryan says MORE CHOICES: He means those of means can go where they want. Those without means can die, they have the freedom to die. It is not the role of government to ensure its citizens have access to healthcare that is comprehensive and low cost. The is the wish of the Freedumb Caucus.
Seven years of the chorus singing repeal and then they make the big dive. Belly flop!
It looks good on them although if they had voted for this bill it would have been the biggest poison pill of all time. Huge. Sad.
BUT should be drowned in the bathtub.
Is there anything that redeems them after the travesty of the American Death Care Act.
Paul Ryan says: Universal Access. He means IF YOU CAN PAY.
Paul Ryan says: Patient centered. He means the patient pays the full shot unless he is wealthy, then he will get a tax break. Hundreds of billions of tax breaks, AKA money removed from healthcare.
Paul Ryan says lower costs: He means lower tax burden on Americans with incomes over $1,000,000.
Paul Ryan says MORE CHOICES: He means those of means can go where they want. Those without means can die, they have the freedom to die. It is not the role of government to ensure its citizens have access to healthcare that is comprehensive and low cost. The is the wish of the Freedumb Caucus.
Seven years of the chorus singing repeal and then they make the big dive. Belly flop!
It looks good on them although if they had voted for this bill it would have been the biggest poison pill of all time. Huge. Sad.
3
The absolute inability of the republican party is on display again. So willing to toss 24 million people off their health insurance they had to offer only more misery to the American public in order to get the looney right to consider. To top it all off the goofiest of presidents blames the Democrats for everything!
4
Thank God that The Greedy Old Party is a house divided against itself. The failure of this Bill attests to Obama's political acumen as well as The Democrats' in general in that they foresaw the difficulty of taking established benefits away from people, which does my heart good, knowing that it will be virtually impossible for the greedy, immoral, evil Party to overturn Social Security.
3
Let's get real. This was never an ideological dispute between different political views. It was always 99% bigotry. A BLACK MAN AS PRESIDENT? What's this country comin' to? That really stuck in their craw. They totally opposed anything he tried to do from the very start. Obamacare was to be his legacy, and they could not stand for him to have ANY legacy. I'd love to be sittin' on the back porch with Barack, having a cigar and a drink, listening to his true thoughts ( a la Fences) about all of this.
3
Amen. 100% accurate.
Trump has already used up his political capital. Perhaps, he should consider declaring bankruptcy. He has a lot of experience in that regard.
2
You can't govern without the support of the MAJORITY. Trump was elected by 46% and his approval has fallen from there. The electoral college only counted for getting him elected.
2
He had 19.5% of Americans in total. Hillary/others had more than 20%.
He is a minority candidate. He had a plurality of GOP primary voters not a majority.
No mandate. Just a small base.
He is a minority candidate. He had a plurality of GOP primary voters not a majority.
No mandate. Just a small base.
On behalf of the 24 million Americans, one of which is my son, I say "Let the force [aka the vast majority of the American people] continue to be with you." President Trump may be the master of "The Art of the Deal," but this was so blatantly "The Artlessness of the Steal" that even his supporters saw it as yet the old Republican con of "tax cuts for the wealthy" poorly disguised as health denial for the the most needy, that is, Medicaid recipients, among us. Let's all now work to prevent Secretary of HHS, Tom Price, from further mischievous actions to undermine the Affordable Care Act while urging Democrats to make much needed fixes in the ACA to keep it from "imploding."
1
Democrats spent a YEAR trying to get Republicans to help them craft a health care system they based on the Heritage Foundation's plan and what Massachusetts implemented under Romney. Solely because it was Democrats and Obama doing it, Boehner and McConnell did everything they possibly could to delay it. Democrats BEGGED for their input, made numerous changes to try to convince both Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe to sign on. All of them kept moving the goal posts on the Dems and FINALLY the Democrats gave up, passed it in the Senate while they had 60 votes and passed it in the House without ANY Republican support. Because Republicans in their quest for power were perfectly happy to have tens of millions of Americans NOT have health insurance.
They then spent the next 7 1/2 years trying to repeal and cripple the ACA, but never, not once, came up with a replacement, reasonable or otherwise.
Now, despite having 4 1/2 months to come up with a plan, they came up with a bird cage liner. Not once did they ask for Democratic input or support. Figuring they had 237 votes they kicked the Dems to the curb and ignored them. They didn't even appeal to likely Dems like DINO Joe Manchin. Trump insisted they rush it through the House and threatened members who didn't vote for it. And it failed because the Tea Party and moderate Republicans couldn't accept it.
Yet according to the delusional President, it's the Democrats' fault. No, Mr. Trump, it is solely YOUR failure! Only you.
They then spent the next 7 1/2 years trying to repeal and cripple the ACA, but never, not once, came up with a replacement, reasonable or otherwise.
Now, despite having 4 1/2 months to come up with a plan, they came up with a bird cage liner. Not once did they ask for Democratic input or support. Figuring they had 237 votes they kicked the Dems to the curb and ignored them. They didn't even appeal to likely Dems like DINO Joe Manchin. Trump insisted they rush it through the House and threatened members who didn't vote for it. And it failed because the Tea Party and moderate Republicans couldn't accept it.
Yet according to the delusional President, it's the Democrats' fault. No, Mr. Trump, it is solely YOUR failure! Only you.
160
Medicare for all. Medicare for all. Medicare for all . . . . . . .
2
Trumpcare should have been called Contrived Alternative Care Act instead of AHCA.
1
Let me see if I got this right... Donald Trump, Paul Ryan and the Republican party decided to sell a car to themselves. They decided to sell themselves the greatest car ever made, with the biggest engine, the most comfortable seats, the best gas mileage, a killer sound system, and a price far, far below all the other cars out there.
They had all the money they needed to buy the car, and the best part was that they were negotiating the sale with themselves! What could be better and easier for the world's greatest deal maker, The Closer? They would get this great car for the best price ever.
So what happens? In the end they find themselves negotiating for a 1972 Pinto with bad tires, rusted out floor boards and in need of a transmission rebuild. One of them insists they pay no less than $35,000 for this junk heap, one of them wants a set of floor mats thrown in or no deal, and the other one wants the Democrats to pay for the car. After three days of arguing with themselves, they all take the bus back home.... no car.
Next up... Ryan, Trump, et al go shopping for a house. I'm betting they end up with a refrigerator box under a freeway overpass.
They had all the money they needed to buy the car, and the best part was that they were negotiating the sale with themselves! What could be better and easier for the world's greatest deal maker, The Closer? They would get this great car for the best price ever.
So what happens? In the end they find themselves negotiating for a 1972 Pinto with bad tires, rusted out floor boards and in need of a transmission rebuild. One of them insists they pay no less than $35,000 for this junk heap, one of them wants a set of floor mats thrown in or no deal, and the other one wants the Democrats to pay for the car. After three days of arguing with themselves, they all take the bus back home.... no car.
Next up... Ryan, Trump, et al go shopping for a house. I'm betting they end up with a refrigerator box under a freeway overpass.
106
Your comment, although well-written, is an insult to Pintos. They at least didn't blow themselves up on purpose.
My cousin in Belfast, NI, asks why our government doesn't understand that a nation's wealth is based on the health of its people.
1
A "turkey" of a bill! What a delightful description! Unexpected in the Times, but totally appropriate to the turkeys who put it together. (Pardon, noble birds.)
3
Eventually, inevitably, the silent moderates who are left in the Republican party will move away from Ryan and their crazed right wing and will restart a dialogue with centrist Democrats, and that will end both the power of the extreme right and the gridlock in Washington.
There has been lots of speculation that there are no silent moderates left, but the fact that a sizable group in the center split off from the party on Friday and voted no because TrumpRyan Care was too extreme tells us otherwise.
There has been lots of speculation that there are no silent moderates left, but the fact that a sizable group in the center split off from the party on Friday and voted no because TrumpRyan Care was too extreme tells us otherwise.
4
My next paragraph contains president Trump's entire thought process and rationale employed in bringing affordable health care to the citizens of America.
As you can see, it is as plain as and as simple as Trump said it would be.
As you can see, it is as plain as and as simple as Trump said it would be.
This bill was defeated by a marriage made in hell between far right house members in super safe Republican seats who want to destroy all social programs and Republicans in less safe havens starting to get leery about a bill that would hugely harm the roughly 95 million people who are on Medicaid, the Obamacare exchanges or purchase insurance privately. The canary coal mine was the appropriations committee chairman. On balance in political terms it's probably done the Republican party a favor.
4
Muslim I ban: Failed
Muslim II ban: Failed
ACA Repeal: Failed
Inauguration Crowd Exageration:Failed
Trump 0 - The People of the United States 4
Keep the pressure on.
Muslim II ban: Failed
ACA Repeal: Failed
Inauguration Crowd Exageration:Failed
Trump 0 - The People of the United States 4
Keep the pressure on.
8
Lyin' Donnie Trump, the master of the Art of No Deal.
The only difference between the failed health care bill and Trump's failed business ventures is that Trump didn't walk away with millions after the collapse.
The only difference between the failed health care bill and Trump's failed business ventures is that Trump didn't walk away with millions after the collapse.
3
Now is the time for the Dems to go to the full court press to repair the ACA. Medicare buy-in option or Fed Health insurance plan buy-in. The GOP is reeling. Keep pushing them back
Maybe Trump will even get on board. He likes winners and hates losers. And the Ryan gang are big losers. Don't let them up now!
Maybe Trump will even get on board. He likes winners and hates losers. And the Ryan gang are big losers. Don't let them up now!
1
It's only good for the country if the rising premium issue is dealt with. For people earning more than the subsidy thresh hold, this last year has been sobering. I've met middle class families whose premiums mean they pay about 20K a year under their ACA plan. The Dems and reasonable Republicans must seize on this moment to work together to-- as the Times has already suggested--- shore up the weak points and keep moving forward to better care. Then campaign on that success in 2018-- lower premiums, stabilized A.C.A.
2
In all 60 votes to repeal Obamacare there was only the promise to replace. The Republicans never showed the replacement plan until now. It was a terrible plan, in fact not even a plan. Now they think if Obama care fails they are off the hook, Wrong. They can not simply do nothing and blame someplace. Now on to tax cuts for Billionaires. That will not be popular either.
2
I know what Donald Trump's first mistake was in trying to close this deal, he believed he knew what he was doing.
He should have called in his ghostwriter, Tony Schwartz, who actually wrote the book "The Art of the Deal" and I'm sure he would have been able to use all the techniques that he wrote about in closing his deal.
He should have called in his ghostwriter, Tony Schwartz, who actually wrote the book "The Art of the Deal" and I'm sure he would have been able to use all the techniques that he wrote about in closing his deal.
2
Trump promised us we'd be sick of winning so much. This farce has shown him to be the empty blowhard most of us saw from the beginning. It's now time to turn up the heat and work for the single payer, universal coverage that is the only sane and humane approach.
1
Now that Trump and the GOP own Obamacare, their job is to "repair and insure" that it is fixed where needed and not brazenly wish it to explode and go away. Of course that might require that Donald work though his weekends and not bask in the adulation of his fan base in Florida (which would actually save us taxpayers some money). Let's stop being a celebrity and start working. Of course that might prove difficult while his office continues to be investigated for ties to the Russian government and his false claims of "having his phone tapped."
When are the politicians in this democracy going to realize that many other nations in this world have achieved much better health care for ALL of their citizens at half the costs that Americans spend collectively?
3
I'm not sure I know who the "deep state" is, but I would encourage those who are and who have seen the positive aspects of ACA in people's lives to let NYT journalists know each time Price starts to dissemble the regulations that implement the law.
2
Not that this would have much effect... I'm on the White House regular email distribution (a holdover from being on Obama's)--it's just stupid PR stuff. But a couple weeks ago I got an email asking to tell us your Obamacare disasters. It would be nice for them to hear some positive stories:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/obamacare-share-your-story?utm_source=email&a...
https://www.whitehouse.gov/obamacare-share-your-story?utm_source=email&a...
I did a little happy dance yesterday, something I haven't done in many months. It was a good feeling, and I am looking forward to more small victories as Donald fails again and again, until the mid-term elections when the Republicans lose bigly.
5
The Freedom Caucus brings government to a standstill.
Meanwhile the Bernie or Bust folk got this guy in office.
When will the extremists stop ru(i)nning our country?
Meanwhile the Bernie or Bust folk got this guy in office.
When will the extremists stop ru(i)nning our country?
4
The good guys won a battle in this ongoing political war. I'm just going to revel in that victory for now, and sleep well for a change.
3
I think we are seeing another result of the extreme gerrymandering done in many states. When members of the congress have a seat that is too secure they have the ability to pursue extreme interests at all costs. What we are seeing is just the same thing that is going on in North Carolina but on a national level. Redistricting that creates competitive districts will help to create a congress that is more focused on voter needs versus ideological ones and then and only then are we likely to see a collaborative focus on health care legislation.
1
DJT is most dangerous when he loses. So beware. I'm reminded of his seething at the White Correspondent's Dinner. This man lives to be adored and to get even. Stop gloating and keep fighting, lots of time left on the clock.
124
Trump is a fake dealmaker, he is a fake businessman, he is a fake President.
5
This is dejavú for Paul Ryan. He is facing the same challenges as former speaker Jim Boehner. What did he learned? nothing. A stinging defeat for Republicans while they watch their health care repeal bill go up in smoke.
What next, tax cut for the wretched billionaires. This should be an easy one for them. Trump will be paid, first followed by the Kochs, Mercers, etc.
This bill should be one they can all agree on. Billions in wages to poor workers should be funneled back into the pockets of corporate moguls.
What next, tax cut for the wretched billionaires. This should be an easy one for them. Trump will be paid, first followed by the Kochs, Mercers, etc.
This bill should be one they can all agree on. Billions in wages to poor workers should be funneled back into the pockets of corporate moguls.
2
A treat to see Bernie and Michael Moore holding forth last evening; no gloating there. Maybe now we can work to restore the original public option that President Obama gave away in the name of bi-partisanship.
What health care plan do all those pols have anyway? I believe it's single payer... WE WANT WHAT THEY'VE GOT !
What health care plan do all those pols have anyway? I believe it's single payer... WE WANT WHAT THEY'VE GOT !
4
The only solution is single payer. A statistical study of the true cost of private insurance companies expenses for administration and pay to executives compared with the cost of single payer and it's effect on our tax structure might yield some interesting fact. In the end, contributions to congressmen control all of America's laws. To change this system we need to change the laws for campaign contributions. It will be the only hope for a true Democracy. Citizens United must be defeated. I fear America under the 'leadership' of Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell and Trump is becoming a fascist state.
4
It's amazing how most everyone else saw the signs of this looming disaster besides Donald Trump and his acolytes who penned it.
And now with its failure, all he can do is sit petulantly on his haunches, and shout out blame to others instead of taking the responsibility for it himself.
No doubt, had it passed, he would have solely taken all the praise.
And now with its failure, all he can do is sit petulantly on his haunches, and shout out blame to others instead of taking the responsibility for it himself.
No doubt, had it passed, he would have solely taken all the praise.
2
The party that hates government is remarkably incompetent when in charge of it. Who would have ever guessed?
6
The Gang That Couldn't Shoot!
Voting 40 times against repeat was not about repeal at all but an effort of the Republicans to repudiate the first black President of the United States. They despised him from the beginning and never stopped. They have never been interested in social programs for the people but have always wanted to enrich the already wealthy to maintain access to the Presidency and control of the Government which they want to now "kill."
4
The Times assigns the debacle to Trump and Ryan. That is short-sighted. The debacle goes back to Pres. Obama and the adoption of the Affordable Care Act, which was anything but affordable, and certainly not a solution to our healthcare problems.
1
@Gene
New York
If it's not affordable how come about 22 million people are now receiving coverage under the ACA? No realistic answer will ever be forthcoming of course.
New York
If it's not affordable how come about 22 million people are now receiving coverage under the ACA? No realistic answer will ever be forthcoming of course.
1
The Affordable Care Act wasn't perfect, but if you were one of the millions of people who gained health care through it, it was literally a life-saver. If you were among the millions who would have lost health care through this mean-spirited repeal, it would have literally been a killer. Which side are you on?
1
"The Affordable Care Act wasn't perfect..." 'Nuff said.
They unwittingly made universal healthcare inevitable.
4
Unless we as a nation are ready and willing to go single payer (I am), here are some statesman-like things that a statesman-President could do that would help the people just a little. First, reinstate the risk corridors that Marco Rubio so coyly found objectionable. Secondly, propose and encourge both parties to agree to set up a public option soon And, third, bring together the groups you mention in your editorial (representing doctors, hospitals, Kaiser, honest insurers, etc.) to make a few clear recommendations. We can't allow a small group of right-wing legislators and an uninformed executive branch to determine health care policy.
1
So, "Repeal and Replace" has been officially changed to " Retreat and Re-Tweet"
7
Here is the bottom line, The Republicans never thought they would ever be in a position where they could actually repeal the ACA. It was simply something they could run on as the opposing party, conjuring up a Grimm tale off death panels and dead grandmothers.
They anticipated a veto from President Clinton, so they never bothered to come up with a replacement plan.
I would bet that the minute it dawned on them that Donald Trump was going to become president they all collectively went uh oh!
That is the fraud of the Republican Party in a nut shell. They have nothing to offer that actually benefits real humans.
They anticipated a veto from President Clinton, so they never bothered to come up with a replacement plan.
I would bet that the minute it dawned on them that Donald Trump was going to become president they all collectively went uh oh!
That is the fraud of the Republican Party in a nut shell. They have nothing to offer that actually benefits real humans.
3
Do you remember when Trump said he was going to negotiate lower drug prices, then met with pharmaceutical leaders and totally caved? Wasn't another easy solution to allow across state competition in the insurance market? How many times did I hear that one during the campaign? And it never came up in this Trumpcare debacle. It's easy to negotiate when you hold all the power--well, that's not really negotiating, but Trump thought it was. He probably did this all the time in his businesses--you don't want to play with me, then I'm taking my toys and going home. You aren't the big boss now Trump. President in training. What a joke. On the other hand, as amusing as it is to see them hand Trump his head, it's this Freedom Caucus that really scares me. Come on voters, learn who these people are and that they have no intention of helping you with your day-to-day lives.
3
It was a typical Republican contest between cruel and crueler. Crueler won out.
5
"Replace" was never high on the Republican agenda, so it is no surprise that the replacement offered was so inadequate, to say the least. They were intent on the "repeal" part, come hell or high water. The issue became one of spite, which seems to be an element in all of Trump's decisions. I'm glad there were enough Republicans who showed some backbone here. Maybe it will catch on.
2
Someone needs to point out to the Presidential Trainee that when you are a Republican President and you have a 44 seat majority in the Republican Congress, don't point your finger at the Democrats.
There is no excuse other then you couldn't get it done, because you don't know what you are doing and couldn't persuade your own party members to support it; it's really that simple.
I think it's time for the Trump Flunkies and Stooges to stop with the "Dealmaker in Chief" or "Closer in Chief" label, he's more like the Presidential Trainee who has flunked his first time out on his own.
There is no excuse other then you couldn't get it done, because you don't know what you are doing and couldn't persuade your own party members to support it; it's really that simple.
I think it's time for the Trump Flunkies and Stooges to stop with the "Dealmaker in Chief" or "Closer in Chief" label, he's more like the Presidential Trainee who has flunked his first time out on his own.
5
Trumpty Dumpty
Trumpty Dumpty wants a big wall,
but Trumpty Dumpty had a great fall,
all of his cabinet and dubious men,
won’t put health care together again
Trumpty Dumpty wants a big wall,
but Trumpty Dumpty had a great fall,
all of his cabinet and dubious men,
won’t put health care together again
5
Since Trump was, I can't say it, I stopped reading the news: too depressing. I read almost all the political news today and it was so liberating. The emperor has no cloths and it was readily apparent that neither do his minions. Possibly, the republicans could elect a few more obstructionist seats and we would be a lot safer. Republicans remember: buyer beware.
2
"Waaaaaaaa...The Democrats didn't give us one vote".
Grow up.
When we Democratd passed The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act we got no rightist votes but we still managed to pass it.
I guess we're just better deal makers hey president genital grabber?
Maybe we should open a fraudulent University too.
Grow up.
When we Democratd passed The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act we got no rightist votes but we still managed to pass it.
I guess we're just better deal makers hey president genital grabber?
Maybe we should open a fraudulent University too.
6
The only implosion is see is that of a coherent and rational Republican Party.They are finished, undone by mindless adherence to immature ideology and simplemindedness. That does still leave the country in the hands of an adolescent 70 year old fool who clearly recognizes he is unfit for this charade.
7
Though incorrectly attributed to Marie Antoinette, the expression: "S’ils n’ont pas de pain, qu’ils mangent de la brioche." (Let them eat cake) applies nicely to the Trump administration and his money backers.
They are simply oblivious and don't care about the average person not in the 1% wealth range.
They are simply oblivious and don't care about the average person not in the 1% wealth range.
2
Mr. Trump has told us he intends to let the ACA wither through willful neglect, outright sabotage, and regulatory malfeasance. But the American people have been telling him that we like the ACA and would prefer to have its weaknesses addressed. Anyone who has studied the ACA knows how much thought went into its development. It addressed the entire health care market. We know what the weaknesses are and there are knowledgeable healthcare and business professionals who can craft legislation to improve it. How can a responsible "public servant" allow legislation that requires some judicious improvements to fail, putting even one American life at avoidable risk? Do your job Mr. President! And you too, Mr. Ryan! And you too, Mr. Price! And you too "consenting governed"!
2
Well his campaign rhetoric of repeal and replace was aimed at a group of people, where 1/3 of them didn't know that the ACA and Obamacare were the same.
As for the rest of the Repubs, they too campaigned on repeal, likely to many of the same voters - but most of those Repubs relished that their votes-only constituents were clueless as to what they'd loose. Those Repubs only care about a very small sliver of supporters...their big donors.
Why? re; let it fail. Because despite all their rhetoric about being the most moral and upstanding party, that too is a lie. They don't care about what Gov't can do and do better, all they see, think and hear (in their echo-chambers) is how poor people bring it on themselves, that the sick and handicapped are that way in retribution of their sins and lesser status, and their God; free-range Capitalism, unfettered, un-fenced, and free to do what it pleases must be served...that sacrifices must be made to it.
As for the rest of the Repubs, they too campaigned on repeal, likely to many of the same voters - but most of those Repubs relished that their votes-only constituents were clueless as to what they'd loose. Those Repubs only care about a very small sliver of supporters...their big donors.
Why? re; let it fail. Because despite all their rhetoric about being the most moral and upstanding party, that too is a lie. They don't care about what Gov't can do and do better, all they see, think and hear (in their echo-chambers) is how poor people bring it on themselves, that the sick and handicapped are that way in retribution of their sins and lesser status, and their God; free-range Capitalism, unfettered, un-fenced, and free to do what it pleases must be served...that sacrifices must be made to it.
I don't feel enough credit is given to those House Representatives who had the courage to stand up for their constituents and vote no. Who sent Trump a message that Congress is an equal member of Government and they weren't about to succumb to threats and bullying by the President and his staff.
89
Alas, no.
Democrats of course were not paid off by Russia and sensibly voted against such a vile anti-American bill.
But many GOP Putin-shills voted against it because the "bill" was not mean-spirited and anti-American ENOUGH.
Democrats of course were not paid off by Russia and sensibly voted against such a vile anti-American bill.
But many GOP Putin-shills voted against it because the "bill" was not mean-spirited and anti-American ENOUGH.
1
It also showed us that the GOP has several preexisting conditions, that no insurance can cover. Lack of ideas, lack of a real work ethic (hard stuff is hard to do easily) and a woeful lack of leadership in the House, or the WH, and probably the Senate too. (which Im very happy about, and see no fix on the horizon)
Those prexisting conditions are factions that really in most cases are RINO's at this point...and just need a big shove to fracture and come completely apart.
And this is where the Dems have a real chance. They can, if they are willing to get their noses bloodied, shove some wedges into those fissures and force them apart. But they have to get organized and focused on a few different tasks at the same time. Not get sucked into the wrong fights (Gorsuch/SCOTUS to name one) and plan some real strategic moves. They need to look ahead, and not just react...as they are prone to do.
Those prexisting conditions are factions that really in most cases are RINO's at this point...and just need a big shove to fracture and come completely apart.
And this is where the Dems have a real chance. They can, if they are willing to get their noses bloodied, shove some wedges into those fissures and force them apart. But they have to get organized and focused on a few different tasks at the same time. Not get sucked into the wrong fights (Gorsuch/SCOTUS to name one) and plan some real strategic moves. They need to look ahead, and not just react...as they are prone to do.
The failure of A.C.H.A. was rooted in the politics surrounding the entire 8 years Obama was president. Saying "no" isn't leadership. I think Americans might've been able to at least consider a bill that had been thought out in such a way that reduced spending, but had ALL the American people in mind. Less health care, more rockets and bombs. That's "small government" for you.
1
I repeatedly heard Trump blame Democrats yesterday. For Pete's sake, WHY would Dems move to repeal a bill that their party worked so hard for? The purpose of the repeal was to stick it in Obama's face, and renew the tired old "it was shoved down our throats". Perhaps Republicans will wake up and find out that governing takes time, effort, and relationship building. Oh yeah, and actually caring about those people you represent. Not just the people who voted for you, ALL the people.
3
It was an outrageous display of racism, arrogance, callousness, stupidity by Trump, Ryan, the GOP.
We realized what was going to be done to health care & millions recoiled in horror, scarcely believing it was happening. Could Republicans & Trump hate us that much? They would endanger our lives & the lives of our children?
Yes they would.
Trump, Ryan & Freedom Caucus are too stupid & out of touch w/ reality to realize the harm they've done to themselves simply by putting the bill out there & snatching it back. It was like the public caught site of a vampire swarm or giant Monster Lizards. Horrifying to behold. Who were these men, nonchalant about terminating maternity care??? Trump proved he'll make us suffer to score a cheap "win" for his vanity. Beware!
Beware!
Ryan proved he's the mean, suffocatingly arrogant little jerk we suspected - & for this bill, he'll be held in contempt for the rest of his life.
Millions of us worried during the 2016 campaign that Trump might truly be the insane, cruel amoral character he 'performed'
at his rallies - even as he vowed he could be presidential. We were right. With this savage bill, his twice-attempted Muslim ban & false accusation against President Obama, Trump has hurled himself into a slimy gutter & can't climb out.
Trump & Ryan - now we're sure. Won't be fooled later when
they try to pretend this episode never happened.
I'm someone who might die if I lose my medical coverage. I won't forget.
RESIST.
We realized what was going to be done to health care & millions recoiled in horror, scarcely believing it was happening. Could Republicans & Trump hate us that much? They would endanger our lives & the lives of our children?
Yes they would.
Trump, Ryan & Freedom Caucus are too stupid & out of touch w/ reality to realize the harm they've done to themselves simply by putting the bill out there & snatching it back. It was like the public caught site of a vampire swarm or giant Monster Lizards. Horrifying to behold. Who were these men, nonchalant about terminating maternity care??? Trump proved he'll make us suffer to score a cheap "win" for his vanity. Beware!
Beware!
Ryan proved he's the mean, suffocatingly arrogant little jerk we suspected - & for this bill, he'll be held in contempt for the rest of his life.
Millions of us worried during the 2016 campaign that Trump might truly be the insane, cruel amoral character he 'performed'
at his rallies - even as he vowed he could be presidential. We were right. With this savage bill, his twice-attempted Muslim ban & false accusation against President Obama, Trump has hurled himself into a slimy gutter & can't climb out.
Trump & Ryan - now we're sure. Won't be fooled later when
they try to pretend this episode never happened.
I'm someone who might die if I lose my medical coverage. I won't forget.
RESIST.
4
Now is the time for Democratic leadership to come out strong for legislating improvements, positive changes, in the ACA. They have the attention of the electorate, and could gain more support, and make the ACA less subject to reasonable attack.
2
Agreed. They should publicly propose specific and digestible-easily
comprehensible recommendations and challenge lower duma
leadership to engage with them to improve the bill. They should do
so over and over again, until the people party leadership explicitly turns them down (since they surely will do that). However, you are also asking of democrats something they are not capable of doing, which is to seize a political opportunity and gift horse without screwing up.
There is nothing that happened today to change the opinions of
the majority of people party members about ACA's basic horribleness,
nor of the basic principle that affordable healthcare american style should not be a straightforward right of citizenship. That requires funding formulas and
tax transfers. Lest they wander off from
that ideological fortress, there will be primary candidates fully funded
by the usual demons running amok who will love to replace them.
When that basic dynamic changes, some improvements in ACA will occur. But until then, the so called president and his little minions will do everything in their still considerable power to keep ACA from improving. That is a winning political strategy, paradoxically enough. They only need to figure out how to
implement it. Since Faux "news" remains at their beck and call, this will
not be difficult. This pathological flight into chaotic governing to
benefit the few at the expense of the many will hardly stop today.
comprehensible recommendations and challenge lower duma
leadership to engage with them to improve the bill. They should do
so over and over again, until the people party leadership explicitly turns them down (since they surely will do that). However, you are also asking of democrats something they are not capable of doing, which is to seize a political opportunity and gift horse without screwing up.
There is nothing that happened today to change the opinions of
the majority of people party members about ACA's basic horribleness,
nor of the basic principle that affordable healthcare american style should not be a straightforward right of citizenship. That requires funding formulas and
tax transfers. Lest they wander off from
that ideological fortress, there will be primary candidates fully funded
by the usual demons running amok who will love to replace them.
When that basic dynamic changes, some improvements in ACA will occur. But until then, the so called president and his little minions will do everything in their still considerable power to keep ACA from improving. That is a winning political strategy, paradoxically enough. They only need to figure out how to
implement it. Since Faux "news" remains at their beck and call, this will
not be difficult. This pathological flight into chaotic governing to
benefit the few at the expense of the many will hardly stop today.
Maybe the GOP might call President Obama for advice on healthcare legislation and congressional Whip strategy.
3
President Obam may even still agree to help the Presidential Trainee even though he smeared him and lied about him incessantly.
2
Donald Trump: "But I'm still, like, really smart, okay?"
3
Trump is no deal maker. First hint: You can't just issue a fiat and then fly to Florida to your estate and play golf. Well, you can, but you can also see the result.
Second hint: You can't just blow off the Democrats and expect a deal. The GOP is and has been fractured for a while now.
Third hint: You can't threaten congress especially when you yourself are as politically weak as you are. Face it, you lost the popular vote, and you've united a majority of the country firmly against you. Congress clearly understands this.
Fourth hint: The American electorate saw through the thin veil of your legislative proposal. You were just cutting health care for Americans and giving billions to the super rich.
Second hint: You can't just blow off the Democrats and expect a deal. The GOP is and has been fractured for a while now.
Third hint: You can't threaten congress especially when you yourself are as politically weak as you are. Face it, you lost the popular vote, and you've united a majority of the country firmly against you. Congress clearly understands this.
Fourth hint: The American electorate saw through the thin veil of your legislative proposal. You were just cutting health care for Americans and giving billions to the super rich.
116
When Mulla Nasrudin's wife was at the doctor she told him that Mulla had developed a craving for dog biscuits. It's all he will eat, she said. The doctor told her tell he must stop eating them immediately or they will kill him. Some weeks later Mulla's wife was at the doctor and he asker how Mulla was doing. She said tearfully, he's dead. I told you those biscuits would kill him, said the doctor. She replied, no, it wasn't the biscuits, it was from chasing after cars.
The GOP used the demonization of ACA as a pandering point to leverage votes. They never had a plan. Just get into power. We'll lie our way out afterwards.
They are the dog that caught the car. Hey, a health care plan? That's easy! What they thought was easy pickins was made of tougher stuff than them. They sunk their greedy canines into a ton and a half of rolling steel. Their fatuous lie of a care plan now rendered into roadkill.
The GOP used the demonization of ACA as a pandering point to leverage votes. They never had a plan. Just get into power. We'll lie our way out afterwards.
They are the dog that caught the car. Hey, a health care plan? That's easy! What they thought was easy pickins was made of tougher stuff than them. They sunk their greedy canines into a ton and a half of rolling steel. Their fatuous lie of a care plan now rendered into roadkill.
2
On blaiming the democrats, if I were them I would answer "Thank you Mr Trump for you kind words, claiming we are responsible for this. We believed this bill was a catastrophy and we are pleased it didn't pass. Although we must admit we didn't do much. We were not asked to do anything and were kept out of the discussions. We are uncertain also how we managed to block this bill, while we failed to block in Congress any of the dozens of repeal bills submitted over the years. But again, maybe as accidental heros, thank you for praising us on this achievement"
3
President Trump can be rolled! The tough deal maker turns out to be too shallow and impatient to lead. Sad!
2
Gosh, I'm really getting tired of all this winning.
3
Isn't the Eighth Amendment supposed to protect Americans from "cruel and unusual punishment?" Well by leaving millions of Americans without affordable coverage, the RyanTrump healthcare plan would have been exactly that in my book. This whole administration is inflicting "cruel and unusual punishment " on us on a daily basis.
3
Ryan's always been an empty suit, a fraud who pretends to be some kind of policy wonk but really is lightweight pseudo-everything. Trump is a scam. Together they spell L-0-S-E-R-S.
3
Just another daily serving by a president who, in words he understands, is a Total Loser, and a governing party that couldn't legislate its way out of a wet paper bag. Together with their cabal of incompetent, dangerous and just plain weird backroom operatives, they truly are the Gang that couldn't shoot straight.
2
The Republican sharks circled the ACA -- and in the end, those sharpened "conservative," objectivist, "Freedom Caucus" pearly whites merely left a lot of their own blood in the water.
Better them than the tens of millions who would have lost access to affordable health care - and suffered or died -- had those sharks succeeded in eviscerating the ACA instead of one another.
Better them than the tens of millions who would have lost access to affordable health care - and suffered or died -- had those sharks succeeded in eviscerating the ACA instead of one another.
2
What will it take for the Democrats to stop pretending that the ACA is working? What good is health insurance if the deductibles are so high, you can't use it? People who never worked get huge subsidies. Those of us who do are out of luck. A disincentive to work
After the debacle of Republican health care legislation, comes the debacle of tax reform.
Stay tuned! Don't touch that dial!
Stay tuned! Don't touch that dial!
1
The democratic process played out and Trump lost. He is accepting the loss and moving on.
And to think that just two weeks ago Trump was being called a Hitleresque authoritarian who was trampling democracy.
Doesn’t that seem quite silly now?
Maybe liberals can now all take a deep breath and slowly walk back from the edge of paranoia.
And to think that just two weeks ago Trump was being called a Hitleresque authoritarian who was trampling democracy.
Doesn’t that seem quite silly now?
Maybe liberals can now all take a deep breath and slowly walk back from the edge of paranoia.
12
Let's see what Mr. Trump does to follow through on his threat to come after my representatives and blow up my health care some other way before I relax a little. I'm spending my time caring for two disabled dependents and trying to get a new foundation on a hundred-year-old house - I really need those representatives. And I really need that health care coverage.
What do you need that is so much more important? And what does Mr. Trump need beyond what he already has? When will you both own enough that you can leave me and mine alone?
What do you need that is so much more important? And what does Mr. Trump need beyond what he already has? When will you both own enough that you can leave me and mine alone?
3
What???
If anyone is expecting that this authoritarian's trampling will cease, they should prepare for much of the same and not be surprised. Given this guy's performances up to this point, not expecting more of the same is silly.
2
The GOP. Bums of doom. Now the DOP(E). The Grand Old Party now the Dead Old Party (Endgame). May they burn in the flames they fiddled.
1
It seems like DJT's only real contribution to the negotiations was to try the "You're fired!" threat with Republicans. Fortunately, some of those Republicans finally managed to remember that it's the voters, not the president, who are their ultimate bosses.
86
From Wikipedia: "On February 3, 2015, the House of Representatives added its 67th repeal vote to the record (239 to 186). This attempt also failed."
Symbolic posturing, 67 times. Republicans have wasted taxpayers' money, bigly.
Symbolic posturing, 67 times. Republicans have wasted taxpayers' money, bigly.
6
As bad as the Republicans look today, they dodged a bullet yesterday. Had their plan become law their control of Congress after 2018 would be doomed. Now folks have time to forget about the debacle.
Trump lost...so sad, so sorry...
I'm a Trump zealot, with advanced Obama Derangement Syndrome, the latter in part b/c of Obamacare.
When It Came To Pass, O/C, thousand page-legislation and several thousand pages more of implementing Administrative Code regulations,
it was obvious, this had been in preparation for years,
I wondered what political constituency expended that labor of,,, love? ... clearly SOMEONE was going to have substantial benefit, still not clear who, the entire matter was botched, and those who 'fronted' the political capital, went bust
So when my man T said, Plan B, I wondered, was he doing this on the fly, and yes, he was
In campaign 2012, Ryan offered a plan that limited money to seniors, me, 'capitation.' i want open ended coverage, as I have now (even if i can afford self-pay), so Ryan is now, zero for two (and T maybe 0 for two, also in the temporary slowdown on Obama's dirty half-dozen). I can afford 'Ryan', but I am a WS 2%er, 98% are not
So properly defeated.
Better than the brackets, though, I DO have a dog in this fight
T has responded lawfully on border wars, I think he has learned, but E/Os are different from legislation, where the real game in town is, maybe this IS brackets
I still do NOT see: "our goal is to maximize health care, with financial efficiency, outside of government medicine,"
and I deny that is impossible
The Legislature is co-equal to the Executive, or, in my view superior
T got game?
When It Came To Pass, O/C, thousand page-legislation and several thousand pages more of implementing Administrative Code regulations,
it was obvious, this had been in preparation for years,
I wondered what political constituency expended that labor of,,, love? ... clearly SOMEONE was going to have substantial benefit, still not clear who, the entire matter was botched, and those who 'fronted' the political capital, went bust
So when my man T said, Plan B, I wondered, was he doing this on the fly, and yes, he was
In campaign 2012, Ryan offered a plan that limited money to seniors, me, 'capitation.' i want open ended coverage, as I have now (even if i can afford self-pay), so Ryan is now, zero for two (and T maybe 0 for two, also in the temporary slowdown on Obama's dirty half-dozen). I can afford 'Ryan', but I am a WS 2%er, 98% are not
So properly defeated.
Better than the brackets, though, I DO have a dog in this fight
T has responded lawfully on border wars, I think he has learned, but E/Os are different from legislation, where the real game in town is, maybe this IS brackets
I still do NOT see: "our goal is to maximize health care, with financial efficiency, outside of government medicine,"
and I deny that is impossible
The Legislature is co-equal to the Executive, or, in my view superior
T got game?
That's because all they ever intended to do before was repeal it. They never said anything about a replacement. The GOP never wanted a national health care plan. I don't remember talk about a replacement until Trump became President.
1
Poor Donald.
Betrayed and brought down by the Democrats.
And the 3,000,000 illegals voting in the House of Representatives
and the Huks and Bader Meinhoff Gang.
Despite daddies inspirational advice delivered at pater Trump's knee:
Победа любой ценой
Pobeda lyuboy tsenoy
(win at all costs)
Putin PAC's patsy is a LOSER.
Betrayed and brought down by the Democrats.
And the 3,000,000 illegals voting in the House of Representatives
and the Huks and Bader Meinhoff Gang.
Despite daddies inspirational advice delivered at pater Trump's knee:
Победа любой ценой
Pobeda lyuboy tsenoy
(win at all costs)
Putin PAC's patsy is a LOSER.
2
Trump blames it all on the Democrats who would not help Republicans disassemble Obama's signature achievement. Trump blames it all on Democrats who would not help deny health insurance to 24-million people. Trump blames it all on Democrats who would not make a mockery of 'coverage' with no standards for policy coverages. Trump blames it all on Democrats who would not go along with gutting Medicaid to give hundreds of billions in tax breaks to the top few percent, the most wealthy. Trump blames it all on Democrats who would not go along with the Republicans slipshod, slapdash "plan", after 7 years of complaining that everything about the ACA was terrible. Trump blames it all on Democrats who would rather build upon and improve the ACA, instead of throwing it all away. Trump says "Who knew healthcare could be so hard?" Hey Trump - anyone who was paying even a little bit of attention knew. This entire debacle is on Republicans and Trump. I guess those uncooperative Democrats, and the millions with health care coverage through the ACA are just going to be stuck with it. I'm sure they feel just terrible. But that's probably covered.
104
Democrats should embrace being blamed by Trump and take CREDIT.
1
I am offended. I have read your op-ed and am compelled to suggest an amendment to your style guide. Our President is the Great Dealmaker, not the great dealmaker. Please consider giving credit where Capital credit is due. Thank you.
1
The Wonderland White House continues to lurch along as Trump blames the Democrats for the bill's failure. What planet is he and the rest of the GOP living on? And now comes the easy part, tax reform. The GOP gang that can't shoot straight will be merrily blasting away under the command of the Chief of the Keystone Kops, Paul Ryan.
1
Trump has made his hatred apparent.
The blow-back from your desire to blow up Obamacare is going to smack you and those not on your "hit list" is going to explode in your face. Just as this has.
Like this feeling . . . BOOM
Dems have no part in the pain.
The blow-back from your desire to blow up Obamacare is going to smack you and those not on your "hit list" is going to explode in your face. Just as this has.
Like this feeling . . . BOOM
Dems have no part in the pain.
1
There are 289 Republicans in the Congress. Not one of them had the perceptiveness and courage to stand up and say "Hey, healthcare is complicated, and all we are bringing to the table is cliches and tired talking points. We can't do this."
3
My only question is: Why do Republicans keep getting elected?
5
Stupidity ?
1
Gerrymandering...
1
Gee, who knew the party of No led by a rich, loudmouth moron would fail at health care reform? Losers.
2
“The best thing that could happen is exactly what happened — watch,” How telling that Mr. Trump's reaction to the non-vote on the AHCA is to hope for the collapse of the healthcare system in the US.
4
President Obama (Ret.) 1 -- President Trump 0
1
This is a spectacular ending to a mean spirited, empty and intellectually incomprehensible Republican obsession with repealing the ACA. However, Dems shouldn't crow for too long. Trump and Repubs will do everything they can to undermine it and gut it so that it does indeed collapse -- insurers will pull out, subsidies and services will be cut here and there, and then they can lay the blame on Obamacare, not their own stupidity and cruelty. Dems should learn to shout out what is happening in a VERY SIMPLE way to counteract what will inevitably happen to make Obamacare fail on its own. They are not good at communicating basic facts, but with this presidency and this Republican congress, it is a skill they must develop or their message (if there is one) will be overridden by tweets. Just to say, Dems should enjoy a brief moment of satisfaction at the result of seven years of tearing down the ACA, but tomorrow begin warning the public of what is around the corner and urge people to defend their health care interests from the thousand small cuts that are already arriving.
4
"[Dems] are not good at communicating basic facts,.."
Which is exactly why the Republicans keep getting elected. The Democrats have never understood that a speech here and a speech there doesn't drive home basic facts to voters. Sometimes it's not what is said, but how it is said and how often it gets said.
The Democratic leadership has got to make better concerted effort at messaging, otherwise the Republican political hegemony would continue.
Which is exactly why the Republicans keep getting elected. The Democrats have never understood that a speech here and a speech there doesn't drive home basic facts to voters. Sometimes it's not what is said, but how it is said and how often it gets said.
The Democratic leadership has got to make better concerted effort at messaging, otherwise the Republican political hegemony would continue.
1
Who knew governing was complicated?
1
So let me get this straight: Trump does nothing but belittle and abuse the legitimate press, i.e. Washington Post, New York Times, LA Times, et al, then he has the audacity to call The Times and The Post to express himself after he loses big time, and we take the call and give him print time? Really? Really? Don't take the call, guys, let him hang himself on his own petard.
1
" He who has the last laugh, laughs the loudest. " NY Times editorial board, if I were you guys I would stop gloating so much. It is clear you are anti-Trump and anti-Republicans. Nevertheless, this administration and the Republican majority in Congress have plenty of additional time to come up with a replacement plan. I think this early " failure " is only going to strengthen them and you will likely be eating your words in the future. Contrary to what you think, they will reach a consensus and pass health care reform that will be significantly better than the disaster that is ObamaCare.
The Republicans have had 7 years.
Time isn't their problem, their philosophy is.
Sorry, but they can never overcome it, for it is ingrained.
Time isn't their problem, their philosophy is.
Sorry, but they can never overcome it, for it is ingrained.
The ACA protected the private insurance companies. That's why republicans couldn't defeat it. Defeat would only lead to a public option. Obama out maneuvered Trump.
1
Congress evidently makes public policy based on what will cause the greatest flow of money into lobbying, the lucrative afterlife of so many ex-congresscritters.
The GOP like to talk about horse trading. It often appears more like something else that comes from horses.
2
The picture should be Price, Trump, Pence, as dogs, with their tail between their legs being led by a bigger Ryan slumped over also tail between his legs, as President Obama watches them pass by. Obama has a little smile, and the words "The American people refuse to go to the dogs!"
1
this is so delicious......its almost all over but the cryin'. but trump cant drag things out long enuf for actual economic expansion before he either goes full on mental or gets impeached.
the r's SINGLE hope to salvage the worst presidency in history lies in passing a giant infrastructure bill that actually diverts money from ridiculous invasions and tax cuts for the filthy rich and greedy and starts putting people to work, money that stays local and has large multipliers, rebuilds our infrastructure and makes our small mfg base grow while reducing imports and making americans happy to pay 10% for a product made domestically (dont worry it wont happen).
W's people must be wetting themselves. no longer will he go down as the, lets call him to be pc, slowest excuse to ever darken the door of the true leader of the free world.
the r's SINGLE hope to salvage the worst presidency in history lies in passing a giant infrastructure bill that actually diverts money from ridiculous invasions and tax cuts for the filthy rich and greedy and starts putting people to work, money that stays local and has large multipliers, rebuilds our infrastructure and makes our small mfg base grow while reducing imports and making americans happy to pay 10% for a product made domestically (dont worry it wont happen).
W's people must be wetting themselves. no longer will he go down as the, lets call him to be pc, slowest excuse to ever darken the door of the true leader of the free world.
1
However unlikely it may be in the current Congress, why does the NYT never make mention of the Medicare for All bill. It runs all of 30 pages, and in general provides the same kind of universal, single-payer health care as every other civilized country does?
https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr676/BILLS-115hr676ih.pdf
Please don’t leave us with the impression that the Democrats don’t have a clue, as several recent NYT pieces do.
https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr676/BILLS-115hr676ih.pdf
Please don’t leave us with the impression that the Democrats don’t have a clue, as several recent NYT pieces do.
2
Alas, public health plans don't advertise prescription drugs.
Does this mean Princess Ivanka won't get to host the Wealthcare Ball that Daddy promised her?
2
Remember America, the GOP"s plan B is to sabotage the ACA. Watch for it and make sure that they are held to account for any lives lost by cuts to funding or collaborating with insurance companies to force high premiums and deductibles down the throats of hard working Americans.
1
Sabotage is the only plan they ever have.
2
Years ago, i met Dr. Marshall Walker, an English Professor on sabbatical from the U. of Glasgow and we were chit chatting about health care.
It was in the "heady days" of LBJ. Dr Walker opined that 'health care" ought drop off trees like ripened fruit.
Indeed, it should. After all, we have paid for it. We pay for the research that improves it.
Even so, the ignorant amongst us have the same voting privileges as the educated and we are hardly any better off than we were in 1970. How pathetic is the American vs the Canadian or the Scandinavian. We are sooooooooo pathetic.............soooooooo stupid with respect to health care but i have the right to carry pistols and rifles and shotguns that would shame a platoon.
It was in the "heady days" of LBJ. Dr Walker opined that 'health care" ought drop off trees like ripened fruit.
Indeed, it should. After all, we have paid for it. We pay for the research that improves it.
Even so, the ignorant amongst us have the same voting privileges as the educated and we are hardly any better off than we were in 1970. How pathetic is the American vs the Canadian or the Scandinavian. We are sooooooooo pathetic.............soooooooo stupid with respect to health care but i have the right to carry pistols and rifles and shotguns that would shame a platoon.
3
The Electoral College is steeply biased against urban cosmopolitan people.
1
The Republican leadership assumed that if someone as ignorant and vulgar as Trump could be elected by an uninformed voting minority then they could repeal Obamacare and celebrate their victory without problem. They didn't need no stinking plan..It is called the arrogance of power.
3
I don't have a clue why people entrust power to people who seek it only to terrorize others.
Look at that picture! The Sultan on his thrown flanked by his Right Hand Vazir on the right and the Left Hand Vazir on the left standing into attention ready to jump at the first order out of the Sultan's mouth!! I know, because I come from a country that has had a similar set up. I find this picture extremely demeaning for a Vice President and a Cabinet Secretary
1
Does Pence actually DO anything but appear behind Trump in these photo ops? Do they keep him sitting in a side office ready to call into the Oval whenever Trump has photographers in? Seems like every photo, there he is in the background, right behind one of Trump's shoulders. Would be easier just to keep a cardboard cutout behind the drapes and pull it out when they need to take a photo.
4
A bunch of stupid white men casually throwing women over a cliff (and others) is a sight to behold.
Shame is not in the GOP DNA.
Shame is not in the GOP DNA.
5
Wow......
Without a vote, recording who is with Landslide Donnie and who is against him,
he only knows which Democrats.
Who can President Swamp ridicule and abuse if he doesn't know exactly who has crossed him?
All this psychosis and all this vitriol and NO RELEASE!!
A neurotic itch that even a $3,000,000 round of gold at Mar-o-Loco won't scratch.
With his ignorance, dishonesty, and delusions,
We are now all enrolled in Trump University.
Without a vote, recording who is with Landslide Donnie and who is against him,
he only knows which Democrats.
Who can President Swamp ridicule and abuse if he doesn't know exactly who has crossed him?
All this psychosis and all this vitriol and NO RELEASE!!
A neurotic itch that even a $3,000,000 round of gold at Mar-o-Loco won't scratch.
With his ignorance, dishonesty, and delusions,
We are now all enrolled in Trump University.
3
EB's argument is irrefutable that GOP has had 8 years to come up with a better alternative to ACA ,and has not done so, and it is now time,to employ that overused cliche, to bite the bullet,and propose a single payer system, a government sponsored health plan,similar to those of virtually every other industrialized nation in the world.Amazing that Germany, under Bismarck, the statesman who united his country by means of "blood and iron "in the mid 19th century, devised a system of universal health care that is more advanced, more than any scomprehensive than any system devised by the present G0P..Fiscal conservatism is not a wining strategy when it comes to health care, and even the most staunch supporters of the President are having their patience tried.To describe Tea Partiers as "la droite la plus bete du monde"would not be overstating it. Success of Trump presidency depends on closing the gap between those on the extreme right and the moderates. A little socialism neve hurt anybody.If Jean Marie le Pen and Harlem Desir("SOS racisme,ne touches pas a mon pote") agreed on the social contract with regard to a universal system, then conservatives and moderates within the Trump coalition should be able to find common ground, failing which it will be a long and fruitless four years for the administration.
In addtiion to the healthcare benefits, the ACA raised the consciousness of Americans to realize that healthcare is an American right and not something for only the privileged few. Even republicans political leaders are starting to understand that.
1
Call it TRUMPcare...tell it how it is. They used ObamaCare, so now shove it on their faces: TRUMPcare.
1
NYT, we need to know precisely what this cabal can (read: will) do to damage the ACA. Clearly they'll stop at nothing to make it "explode", and body counts be damned. But personally I'm unclear on the details of what they can do to precipitate the law's apparent failure, though I have no doubt that doing so is Tom Price's sole function in life. But truth is their worst enemy, and it played a huge role in today's outcome in the Congress. 17%. So please do the legwork, get the information out to us, and help us to watch them like a hawk.
2
Someone once said:
"Now, I have to tell you, it's an unbelievably complex subject," he added. "Nobody knew health care could be so complicated."
Yup. It is. Too bad Mr Trump cant understand that fact. A fact he himself made ... or was that a fake fact?
"Now, I have to tell you, it's an unbelievably complex subject," he added. "Nobody knew health care could be so complicated."
Yup. It is. Too bad Mr Trump cant understand that fact. A fact he himself made ... or was that a fake fact?
1
Paul Ryan tries to project this image of a wholesome family man, but he's shown a dark heart time and again.
1
A terrible bill has failed and it is a cause for celebration. But how did we get to this point? Well, thanks to white working-class Americans who would have been the main victims of the repeal and who are now, no doubt, are being whipped into a frenzy of indignation against the Democrats and "elites" who thwarted their Dear Leader. Complaining that politicians have no mercy for the people misses the point. It is the people who have no mercy for themselves or rather, no mercy for anybody who is slightly different from them. Rural America is willing to go without health insurance if it means that "illegals" and blacks don't get it either. There was an interesting interview with an Iraqi doctor who works in a small town in a red state, saving people's lives. All of his patients supported the Muslim ban, even though without this Iraqi they would probably have no doctor at all. He is now moving to California - and good for him. I am not going to shed a tear for his patients - or for those who are now fuming with anger because their Medicaid expansion has not been repealed.
133
The folks in flyover country may want to dust off their tornado shelters. Trump's savage cuts to the USDA will further harm these misguided people. Which will result in MORE anger at Democrats because...Breitbart and Fox will pitch it that way.
1
So with a gerrymandered majority in the House Trump blames the Democrats for his failure. And, you know what, his supporters and the alt-right lot will believe that to be absolutely the case...
3
To paraphrase the Arpège perfume ad of my youth, "Promise them anything, and deliver feces. They can't tell the difference between that and chocolate." So cynical!
2
Please don't call it Trumpcare. That's an oxymoron. You can call it Trumpdon'tcare.
4
With all this gloating what are Democrats going to do now? They should take this opportunity to to offer legislation that repairs Obamacare. I know it will never get through the republican congress but at least we can show the American people that we have a solution.
244
"we can show the American people that we have a solution." The "Affordable" part of the ACA isn't there. With a monthly price of over $350 and deductibles of over $8000 before you get a nickle in help, it would be cheaper to pay through taxes. I live in a country with single payer, pay about 33% tax, and get healthcare for my whole family. My kids got free college, too.
Democrats should listen to what Bernie says, and go for Single Payer. Don't repair - replace! When Republicans see their options as fixing Obamacare or Single Payer, they might step up to the plate. They might even take ownership.
Democrats should listen to what Bernie says, and go for Single Payer. Don't repair - replace! When Republicans see their options as fixing Obamacare or Single Payer, they might step up to the plate. They might even take ownership.
1
Before treasonous TeamTrump and his collabos in Congress have a chance to do further damage to this country, an independent investigation into this treason and collaboration MUST be fast-tracked.
We--and our allies--don't have the relative luxury of time that existed between 1940 (the fall of France), 1942 (when the various resistant parties put aside their partisan differences there), and 1944 (D-day and the liberation of Paris). Putin and his oligarchs' money have undermined Britain (resulting in Brexit) and are bankrolling Marine Le Pen, not to mention providing the loans that kept Trump's lifestyle afloat. It's up to us.
Allons, enfants!
We--and our allies--don't have the relative luxury of time that existed between 1940 (the fall of France), 1942 (when the various resistant parties put aside their partisan differences there), and 1944 (D-day and the liberation of Paris). Putin and his oligarchs' money have undermined Britain (resulting in Brexit) and are bankrolling Marine Le Pen, not to mention providing the loans that kept Trump's lifestyle afloat. It's up to us.
Allons, enfants!
1
yes/maybe not: the Democrats now have an opportunity to guide the conversation. If they offer and publicize a fairly detailed plan of reform, THAT will become the topic. And it might even garner some support from moderate Republicans and maybe even the unpredictable Mr Trump.
A seven year itch and the Republicans could not even scratch it, let alone put a balm on it. They could not because its cure was not covered under the TrumpRaynCare and the medication was too expensive under their plan.
2
President Obama is STILL beating the Republicans!
9
Let's keep this simple. Trump totally failed. The Republicans are incapable of leading. Obamacare is working, especially if you take away the land mines the Republicans keep throwing in its way. And the future of Trump is...a lot more failures. Hello 2018.
6
The dog caught the truck...poor dog.
3
GOP. Got Zero Plan.
2
Doesn't get better: Still a failed project with Obama-Pelosi-Schumer as poster-children for DNC Politburo leadership fiasco now infecting the polis. No hope for change in sight.
Let me help you out of the morass of hate. The ACA IS a Republican bill . I was modelled and authored by the the same two Professors who created Romney care in Massachuseets. After single payer was abandoned by Obama due to Republicanresistance he used the default Republican plan sitting right there on the shelf. ACA IS Republican plan which is why they were unable to fashion an alternative. Does it need tweaking and fixing ? Yes. Why then didn't
Head klown bring in Democrats for in input? duh
Head klown bring in Democrats for in input? duh
"Mr. Trump spent a few days cajoling and threatening lawmakers, then threw up his hands and said he had done all he could and was now moving on to other matters."
While I oppose Trump in nearly every way I must say I can see why he would react this way. House Republicans can't even get themselves together to draw up a bill they can pass with their own comfortable majority to repeal and replace a law they all hate and then they expect Trump to make them get their act together. After all, they only had 7 years to work on it. Don't get me wrong, Trump was entirely incompetent and never should have thrown his backing behind this dog's breakfast of a bill, but I can see him saying to Ryan, "Wait, you can't even get your OWN people to vote for this?"
This fiasco reminds me of the numerous articles and op-ed pieces during the 2016 campaign about how the Republican party was in complete disarray. Trump's surprise victory papered over this fact but it is apparent that the Republicans have no clear governing agenda. I can't wait to see them fight over tax reform. Maybe they should name a few Post Offices for practice first.
While I oppose Trump in nearly every way I must say I can see why he would react this way. House Republicans can't even get themselves together to draw up a bill they can pass with their own comfortable majority to repeal and replace a law they all hate and then they expect Trump to make them get their act together. After all, they only had 7 years to work on it. Don't get me wrong, Trump was entirely incompetent and never should have thrown his backing behind this dog's breakfast of a bill, but I can see him saying to Ryan, "Wait, you can't even get your OWN people to vote for this?"
This fiasco reminds me of the numerous articles and op-ed pieces during the 2016 campaign about how the Republican party was in complete disarray. Trump's surprise victory papered over this fact but it is apparent that the Republicans have no clear governing agenda. I can't wait to see them fight over tax reform. Maybe they should name a few Post Offices for practice first.
108
Obama has the patience. And he did the WORK
And millions were helped
Trump gave it a few rounds, couldn't get enough photo opps, got. bored. Sounded the horn in a big semi -- woo hoo am I a BIG TOUGH TRUCKER guy. There's the teevee moment. And his testosterone high. Now off to GOLF.
And millions were helped
Trump gave it a few rounds, couldn't get enough photo opps, got. bored. Sounded the horn in a big semi -- woo hoo am I a BIG TOUGH TRUCKER guy. There's the teevee moment. And his testosterone high. Now off to GOLF.
The only plan to improve healthcare in America is: Remove all government interference in healthcare and let true freedom reign.
Healthcare is not a "right" - because there can be no "right" to force one group of people to pay the bills of another group of people. You are free to devote as much of your income to help anyone you choose to help, for any reason; you cannot be free to use a gun, either in your hand or via government taxation, to force me to do what you want.
Americans and American businesses demonstrate every passing day that the free market works, even in healthcare (LASIK and cosmetic surgery are examples of this). But the free market requires freedom, which the government prevents, and Leftists/Progressives hate.
Healthcare is not a "right" - because there can be no "right" to force one group of people to pay the bills of another group of people. You are free to devote as much of your income to help anyone you choose to help, for any reason; you cannot be free to use a gun, either in your hand or via government taxation, to force me to do what you want.
Americans and American businesses demonstrate every passing day that the free market works, even in healthcare (LASIK and cosmetic surgery are examples of this). But the free market requires freedom, which the government prevents, and Leftists/Progressives hate.
But our entire federal tax system is based on folks from real solvent blue states paying the bills of red loser states.
I'd be more than happy to let the loser south and worthless rust belt pay their own bills for once then my solvent blue state wouldn't continued to be punished for it's success the way it has been since Reconstruction.
So yeah, bring it on.
Let each state fend for themselves.
In about five years the loser south will be gone and the rust belt will be gone and their red loser state trousers will fall.
I'd be more than happy to let the loser south and worthless rust belt pay their own bills for once then my solvent blue state wouldn't continued to be punished for it's success the way it has been since Reconstruction.
So yeah, bring it on.
Let each state fend for themselves.
In about five years the loser south will be gone and the rust belt will be gone and their red loser state trousers will fall.
1
It is time for Senator Schumer to listen to Senator Sanders and fight to extend Medicare for all. There is no reason to tinker with the ACA when the opposition is in such disarray and the pink-capped troops are ready for the fight.
2
Remember No-Drama Obama? Now it's vitriol, drama, threats and chaos all the time. Gambling with our lives and health care and economy and environment. It's not a swamp anymore, it's a sewer.
3
Remember when this was Romneycare?
2
The Republicans' failure now demonstrates the skill of Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and Barack Obama in getting complicated policies enacted. It's obviously not as easy as it looks when someone else is doing the work.
4
Please remain vigilant, NYT, because the Republicans have already damaged the ACA and prevented it from being all it could be with the majority of red states refusing the medicaid expansion and Rubio's bill in 2015. They will continue to undermine as secretively as possible and then try to blame the Democrats for any future shortcomings of the ACA. Just watch. Nothing is ever their fault, as shown by Trump blaming the Democrats for not providing a single vote of support (hey Donald, what do you think the Republicans did with the ACA, you idiot?).
4
Obamacare is the law of the land. Today is a special victory day for ordinary Americans. Forget the word 'repeal' and try to improve Obamacare and it should be done bipartisan fashion. The word Bipartisan should not be ugly word in our politics. Congress in bipartisan way should work to stop fascism which is likely to evolve before your eyes and it will be unstoppable.
To paraphrase Gerald Ford, "Our long national nightmare is just beginning."
3
Trump is on life support. Chalk up another catastrophic failure for him, and one for the smug Ryan. What planet are they living on? I'm not surprised because the signs were there, especially the protestations at the town hall Republican meetings. The amusement park called Trump World will be closing down soon. We don't need a carnival barker as president. He's just a sideshow with his clowns - Kellyanne, Miller, Bannon, Priebus and Spicer.
3
Trump is like the toilet paper you can't scrape off your shoe. He'll be around for a while..
The Art of the Schlemiel
4
Well,
what's here to see? Nothing that wasn't obvious and transparent: a gang of incompetent, reckless and dense losers. The Republican party after decades of steady demise.
RIP 2017.
what's here to see? Nothing that wasn't obvious and transparent: a gang of incompetent, reckless and dense losers. The Republican party after decades of steady demise.
RIP 2017.
2
No time to gloat over this debacle. Since they couldn't stab the ACA to death from the front, Trump & Friends are already sharpening their knives to stab it in the back. And then blame the ACA's demise on Obama and Democrats. Vigilance and tenacity from the media, political, and social justice leaders -- plus the rest of us -- are now needed to defend the rights and health of ourselves and fellow citizens. Maybe, just maybe, the Republicans can be pushed and dragged and shamed into maintaining the ACA until the day when these vindictive, petty, destructive people are voted into the minority and decent leadership moves America toward true healthcare for all.
3
Big failure! SAD!
2
So much for "The Art of The Deal" then, right?
3
The Affordable Care Act has a social significance similar to Franklin Delano Roosevelt's introduction of Social Security. Neither is ideal, but it is better than nothing.
2
Nicely written and spot on.
Sic semper tyranni.
Toto has pulled back the curtain, and has shown the old man to the world exactly as he is!
1
I mention this only because I know it would drive Trump crazy. He wanted to be known as "The Closer". If we could begin a campaign of calling him "The Choker" I think we can get him to resign...Also if we can start using the phrase "RepubliKlan Party" whenever a Republican calls us the "Democrat Party" we might be able to stop that childish school yard taunt.
1
Just remember: inclusion of the Public Option in the Affordable Care Acts was ditched to prevent Joe Lieberman from defecting. This enriched insurance companies in Hartford and dramatically weakened the health care law.
2
I've set my alarm an hour early to just catch tomorrow's twitter outburst from the golden throne. So many people to blame so few characters.
3
Journalists who stood for the truth, who exposed the lies of this sham "health care" policy can be proud tonight. Whatever else they accomplish in their careers, they can know that their printed words saved millions of lives today. They can tell this to their grandchildren,,,,how they made a difference. They saved lives. Thank you.
4
What I heard in Trump's pathetic attempt to paint his defeat as a victory was frightening. He said that that when Obamacare implodes he will be proven "right". But what he didn't say ,and going by his own words on business and politics ,"if some one hits you hit him back hard",was that he will be vindictive about Obamacare and will see to it that it fails.
This is scary stuff because he is usually motivated strictly by winning and when he looses he is driven by vengeance .
He repeatedly says in his tweets that intimidation is a legitimate governing tool and he just reminded us that he is ready to use it. Hard.
This is scary stuff because he is usually motivated strictly by winning and when he looses he is driven by vengeance .
He repeatedly says in his tweets that intimidation is a legitimate governing tool and he just reminded us that he is ready to use it. Hard.
184
Are we surprised? Anyone who is, hasn't been watching this racist, misogynist, bully.
As your editorial suggests, there is a new t shirt message: "Make America Cruel and Incompetent Again"
1
They set out to undo Obama's legacy and he beat them in absentia!
Like sore losers they will now do everything they can to undermine Obamacare.
Then they will try again claiming Obamacare fell of its own weight. Just like Trump lied today about Democrats being responsible for his being a loser.
Like sore losers they will now do everything they can to undermine Obamacare.
Then they will try again claiming Obamacare fell of its own weight. Just like Trump lied today about Democrats being responsible for his being a loser.
3
"We learned a lot about loyalty," Mr. Trump said. What I hope the president learned -- too late in life, I'm afraid -- is that loyalty is EARNED. But then again, boors will be boors....
2
The American Hate Care Plan was crafted by sociopaths and psychopaths who are all in the payroll of the 1%. Looks like the 99% woke up just in time.
3
I can't wait for the budget roll out...tanks and all...
2
The GOP has run for 7 years on repealing Obamacare. The GOP said it was a disaster. The GOP said it was destroying the country.
Today the GOP proved they are incompetent in protecting our country from imminent disaster.
The GOP is worthless when it comes to protecting the American people.
Today the GOP proved they are incompetent in protecting our country from imminent disaster.
The GOP is worthless when it comes to protecting the American people.
4
We Americans deserve an adult for President. We deserve a Republican Party that cares about the people of this country. We have neither.
4
I fear that, in frustration, Rump will now turn from repeal to sabotage, kicking out the ACA's support beams, then saying, "Look what a rotten structure that was!"
193
Exactly. That will be the new plan.
Republicans still haven't figured out they're not running against Obama anymore. They never wanted to offer a workable health care bill; they just wanted to erase Obama's signature achievement.
And Trump doesn't care a fig for the intricacies of policy or governing in any case. He also made his mark slamming Obama and appealing to a narrow base who never, ever got over a black man becoming president.
And today, all of that became painfully obvious. Hey, who knew governing was so.... complicated?
And Trump doesn't care a fig for the intricacies of policy or governing in any case. He also made his mark slamming Obama and appealing to a narrow base who never, ever got over a black man becoming president.
And today, all of that became painfully obvious. Hey, who knew governing was so.... complicated?
6
President Trump insisted that his Obamacare replacement was going to be "so beautiful, you won't believe how beautiful it's going to be." Beauty, Mr. Trump, is in the eye of the beholder. Guess you learned that today.
And thanks a lot for needlessly scaring the bejeezus out of millions of low-income Americans. And thanks a lot for probably now making it impossible for Congress to have meaningful discussions about how to improve Obamacare.
And thanks a lot for needlessly scaring the bejeezus out of millions of low-income Americans. And thanks a lot for probably now making it impossible for Congress to have meaningful discussions about how to improve Obamacare.
1
The spectators are hushed here today at foggy DC Dunes as they await the opening tee-off on the long par 5 by Big Swing and Little Paulie, their first appearance this season as partners. Anticipation has been growing for seven years as club members have continued to poo-poo the substantial shot during the last match that came to be known as the ACA. If Big Swing is ever to get up on the leader board he needs this first shot desperately. And here it is Ladies and Gentlemen, 3:00, and up steps Big Swing and Little Paulie. You can not hear a heartbeat here. It looks like Big Swing has pulled out a 6-iron, a surprisingly light club choice. Little Paulie is swinging a putter, also a light club choice; he appears distracted. Well here we go .. Big Swing recoils, he winds up, his face red with intense confusion...and...he wiffs it; oh no he wiffs it, Ladies and Gentlemen. And there goes the 6-iron .. into the gallery, where a spectator has been knocked to the ground. Little Paulie has squirmed into the back of a golf cart, hiding in a fetal position. More to come at 10:00 ...
128
That was most excellent. More please...
Maybe Trump should take a lesson or two in deal making from a community organizer.
5
Now let us move forward to Russia and all things Russian and learn what the Presdident elect knew and when did he know it. It is imperative that the American voters from both parties learn the truth of what happened last year (or didn't happen) to know for certain that our elected official s represent our interests and not the interests of the Kremlin.
3
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH..Pause .. and STOP the vote on anything put forward by the president until Russian investigations are finished and there is no more "cloud of treason" around the administration.
Now, Tom Price is someone people have to pay attention to, because he looks a little creepy and untrustworthy, and I'll bet he is going to do whatever he can to gut the ACA anyway he can......he's the one in the pharmaceutical's back pocket.
8
Let's set the record straight. TrumpRyancare did not fail because it was a "destructive and incoherent measure" as the editorial board suggests. It failed because it was not destructive enough.
185
True, they wanted blood.
2
In this sense, and this sense only hurray for the Freedom Caucus!
1
This is what happens when charlatans claim to have a terrific product that will solve all your problems and then when the curtain is pulled back for all to see there is really nothing there. The fraud then says lets move on. And the baaing sheep regather and follow their leader over the next cliff. Trump is the Pied Piper for the stupid in America. And unfortunately for all of us he has a bumper flock to be fleeced.
5
The Grifter in Chief, the Negotiator in Chief, the artist of the deal,
precisely and clearly placed the blame for the failure of the beautiful TrumpCare:
The Democrats.
He kept his promise: Coverage for ALL and cheap cheap cheap.
Prices so low.....it's CRAZY!!
Precise but not nearly broad enough.
We can expect the following from KellyAnne Conway:
HealthCare is complicated, and His Excellency was thwarted by
the Democrats;
the 3,000,000 illegals squatting and voting on the House floor;
Fifth columnists and Communists;
Feminists in pink hats;
IsIs, Al Qaeda, and the Taliban;
the Contras, Huks, and the Mau-Maus;
the VietCong;
and
a 400 pound guy in his bed.
Trump=====Loser
Ba
precisely and clearly placed the blame for the failure of the beautiful TrumpCare:
The Democrats.
He kept his promise: Coverage for ALL and cheap cheap cheap.
Prices so low.....it's CRAZY!!
Precise but not nearly broad enough.
We can expect the following from KellyAnne Conway:
HealthCare is complicated, and His Excellency was thwarted by
the Democrats;
the 3,000,000 illegals squatting and voting on the House floor;
Fifth columnists and Communists;
Feminists in pink hats;
IsIs, Al Qaeda, and the Taliban;
the Contras, Huks, and the Mau-Maus;
the VietCong;
and
a 400 pound guy in his bed.
Trump=====Loser
Ba
6
We all need to call this disastrous attempt at legislation the "Republican WeDontCare Act until it is well and truly dead. More vigilance is required.
4
The only lie about NOT coming out of Trump's mouth regarding his failure to get this hideous plan through Congress, is that it's fake news.
3
Thank goodness for a dysfunctional and incompetent President and Republican Party. They are clearly their own worst enemy. However, the Evil Price probably reassured Trump that he & Mulvaney can blowup the ACA and then in typical Republican fashion, blame it all on Obama and the Democrats. Nobody's health is safe yet.
3
Oh great leader,
this astounding victory is your's!
We are thankful for your graceful and even-keeled leadership.
Wait a minute...what do you mean "no victory?@!?!?!?!"
Ignore it. Just more of that fake news. Must be the alt-left NYT.
Trumpcare marches on.
Only a wall on the Mexican border could block it.
this astounding victory is your's!
We are thankful for your graceful and even-keeled leadership.
Wait a minute...what do you mean "no victory?@!?!?!?!"
Ignore it. Just more of that fake news. Must be the alt-left NYT.
Trumpcare marches on.
Only a wall on the Mexican border could block it.
2
When it comes to scuttling legislation, there's just no substitute for the "freedom" caucus and their radical corporate benefactors. The billions that this bunch spends to accomplish zilch. But apparently the plan wasn't mean enough to satisfy the purity requirement, which is, if you can't get a gig with a conglomerate, then you're unworthy of a health insurance plan. You're free to get sick and die on your own, just like they did on the frontier. "Because that's what the country was founded on." And Ryan went forth forthrightly to deliver this message to the spotted masses...
110
Well said! And from Kansas, a state which has had a bellyful of Republican "solutions."
Thank you.
Thank you.
Sixty fake attempts to repeal Obamacare culminating in a big nothing today.
Thanks to the Republicans, we now know : 60 times zero is still zero.
Thanks to the Republicans, we now know : 60 times zero is still zero.
5
The bill was, simultaneously, too harsh and not harsh enough.
1
Trump wants to be the "gotcha president" - allowing himself to be off the hook with healthcare concerns. As far as the ACA imploding or exploding, as he says, he only wishes. Nice thing to say about millions of lives of human beings in this country.
He actually probably was relieved when there was no vote. My oh my, this way of course, both he and Ryan can tell us how huuuugely close the vote would have been. Sure.
Donald Trump is so deep in a life that he is incapable of understanding, controlling, and leading, that he cannot dig himself out. He simply does not belong in the White House, no how, no way.
Trump really should throw in the towel and go back to Trump Tower on
5th Avenue with his wife and son. He can gain more control of his own life there, and leave everyone else in the United States of America alone.
He actually probably was relieved when there was no vote. My oh my, this way of course, both he and Ryan can tell us how huuuugely close the vote would have been. Sure.
Donald Trump is so deep in a life that he is incapable of understanding, controlling, and leading, that he cannot dig himself out. He simply does not belong in the White House, no how, no way.
Trump really should throw in the towel and go back to Trump Tower on
5th Avenue with his wife and son. He can gain more control of his own life there, and leave everyone else in the United States of America alone.
210
Melania doesn't want to hear that!
1
:).
As I walk by that Trump Tower when in NYC I see all that wasted $$$$ on security protection. I suppose as an "ex president" we will always be stuck with Trump Tower $$$$ security tax paid protection for him - Melania, etc! Yikes. And the commotion next to Tiffany's for the rest of our lives - or his - or the rest of the Trump clan's! Yes, poor Melania. And all she wanted was to just come here and be a model.....
As I walk by that Trump Tower when in NYC I see all that wasted $$$$ on security protection. I suppose as an "ex president" we will always be stuck with Trump Tower $$$$ security tax paid protection for him - Melania, etc! Yikes. And the commotion next to Tiffany's for the rest of our lives - or his - or the rest of the Trump clan's! Yes, poor Melania. And all she wanted was to just come here and be a model.....
1
Mar-a-Lago, please!
1
Man, you could see this coming from a mile away. Couple a lost President who thought this was going to be an ego boosting easy ride with a Congressman who is cold and really not as smart as he and the press made him out to be and what are the chances of success. Boy, I've had enough of this.
By the way that is some picture accompanying the article, how would you like to hang out with these guys.
By the way that is some picture accompanying the article, how would you like to hang out with these guys.
4
Any loss for Trump is good for America. Period.
4
I've never seen such an impostor of a president. He barely tried then gave up.
4
It should be clear to everyone now what leadership looks like. The Democrats held so many committee meetings, hearings and testimonies in 2009/2010. Pres. Obama went around for over a year building consensus, educating the people of this country and campaigning for Affordable Care Act (ACA), he bent over backwards to bring Republicans on board, took off Public Option, for the most part the Democrats allowed Republicans to offer amendments, Mr. Obama called bipartisan White House meeting on live television for ACA and more. After all that the Republican said no and the Democrats moved ahead. Just look at how the GOP failed Healthcare legislation was put together. That is what you get when you put incompetent politicians into office. The media is not helping mattes either because they are constantly using false equivalence to muddy the water, which in part is how we now got Mr. Trump. Nonetheless, the failure of GOP healthcare bill is gigantic win of highest order for America.
268
This may seem unrelated, but it is not. There was a Broadway review in the early 1950s with Phil Silvers entitled "Top Banana" about comedians, from burlesque on up the ladder. The theme song was:
If you want to be the Top Banana
You gotta start at the bottom up!
To date, that was how the so-called "conservatives" gained power, first in school boards and local elections, spewing their lies and making them believed as facts. This is how we got the ACA, with a hefty push from the GOP, in whose "think tank," the Heritage Foundation, it was developed, and then committed and brought forth through effort from Congress and President Obama. Its problems are due to the essential flaw of having private, for-profit insurance companies--which add no value and act as a protection racket--as involved middlemen.
The cure is Single Payer, and the work "selling" it has to be done.
If you want to be the Top Banana
You gotta start at the bottom up!
To date, that was how the so-called "conservatives" gained power, first in school boards and local elections, spewing their lies and making them believed as facts. This is how we got the ACA, with a hefty push from the GOP, in whose "think tank," the Heritage Foundation, it was developed, and then committed and brought forth through effort from Congress and President Obama. Its problems are due to the essential flaw of having private, for-profit insurance companies--which add no value and act as a protection racket--as involved middlemen.
The cure is Single Payer, and the work "selling" it has to be done.
He also had a really competent ally in Nancy Pelosi who fought the hard fight for the bill and corralled her members to get it through when even President Obama was beginning to give up. Not to mention those Democrats who pretty much knew they would sacrifice their seats in voting for it.
2
Let us stop the blame game and collectively push for the only sensible health care option - Universal Health Care.
3
These people are way too stupid to be in charge of anything. It's especially frustrating that for years our media wizards, including the NYT's, pretended that they were competent politicians. Worse, apparently in the cause of even-handedness, news reports rarely mentioned that in their campaign against Obamacare Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell showed absolute willingness to watch thousands die. We are lucky that Republicans are too dumb to achieve their hopes and dreams. Along the way, though, even our mainstream news organizations enabled them.
3
Perhaps it would be wise to remember that many far right conservatives did not support the bill because it was not harsh enough. What will this portend for the future?
1
Ha, you mean all those times they voted to repeal Obamacare, they didn't really mean it?! The R's and their so-called dealmaker are buffoons . . . but even they realized that they couldn't repeal something that helps people without coming up with some decent replacement.
How long until the Trumpster throws his hands up regarding governing in general? Isn't that what children do when they don't get what they want? He's finding that he can't bully his way through governing. What a SAD state of affairs that we are stuck with for four more years.
How long until the Trumpster throws his hands up regarding governing in general? Isn't that what children do when they don't get what they want? He's finding that he can't bully his way through governing. What a SAD state of affairs that we are stuck with for four more years.
153
Three years and ten months... but who's counting?
If the FBI manages to find and secure data that shows he was in collusion with the Russians, he could be called for impeachment. If he is impeached and congress does vote to put him out we get another not so good President. At least this one is transparent in his "heads, I win, tails you lose" approach to life.
He may not be able to "govern," but he and Bannon and their Cabinet of Negatives will do plenty of damage to our government and the right wing SCOTUS will do plenty more with their pro-corporate judges -- one of whom will be there as a result of anti-Constitutional Senate behavior.
Guess Trump won't be writing "The Art of the Repeal".
195
The Republicans control both Houses of Congress and the Presidency so this trainwreck is completely on them.
12
"More generous subsidies for people with modest incomes could bring the cost of health care down..."
What you meant to say here was "could bring the cost of health care insurance down...", which is precisely the problem. There is no logical or legitimate reason why the insurance industry--a rapacious, avaricious, reptilian group of particularly unprincipled individuals with a global criminal mindset--should EVER be involved in ANY aspect of the single most important thing we all need: health care. We may have been brainwashed to believe it can't be done without them but that is simply a lie.
Look at the history of their involvement and prove me wrong.
What you meant to say here was "could bring the cost of health care insurance down...", which is precisely the problem. There is no logical or legitimate reason why the insurance industry--a rapacious, avaricious, reptilian group of particularly unprincipled individuals with a global criminal mindset--should EVER be involved in ANY aspect of the single most important thing we all need: health care. We may have been brainwashed to believe it can't be done without them but that is simply a lie.
Look at the history of their involvement and prove me wrong.
5
It seems like weekly, if not daily, this "Washington Outsider" learns about how government actually works. - -
From the video: "we learned a lot about the arcane rules of the Congress". This is the follow up to "who knew healthcare could be so complicated".
Everyone except you - idiot.
I really don't want to risk my livelihood while this moron learns on the job.
He should go back to building horrendously tacky pieces of architecture and leave governing to those who actually understand it.
From the video: "we learned a lot about the arcane rules of the Congress". This is the follow up to "who knew healthcare could be so complicated".
Everyone except you - idiot.
I really don't want to risk my livelihood while this moron learns on the job.
He should go back to building horrendously tacky pieces of architecture and leave governing to those who actually understand it.
6
"Hey Republicans, don't worry, that burn is covered under the Affordable Care Act."
--Senator Bob Menendez
--Senator Bob Menendez
5
Just another reminder that Donald Trump’s core competency is not deal making with powerful counter-parties. It is duping gullible victims.
4
ACA. Aka Obamacare! Thanks Obama
2
They only wanted to destroy Obamacare, not replace it. It was the thought of poor people getting the healthcare they need that really drove them up the wall.
2
It's not a "debacle" for Americans only for Trump, Pence, Ryan and thr disingenuous, malicious Republicans!
This outcome is a huge TRIUMPH for most Americans and for our democracy! 24 MILLION people get to keep their Health-care insurance and the whole Repup gang of thugs and betrayers of the nation's best interests get thwarted!
Maybe this sordid spectacle will be the walk-up call the nation needs.
This outcome is a huge TRIUMPH for most Americans and for our democracy! 24 MILLION people get to keep their Health-care insurance and the whole Repup gang of thugs and betrayers of the nation's best interests get thwarted!
Maybe this sordid spectacle will be the walk-up call the nation needs.
3
Well, one could wish the bill failed because of its inadequacies and reasoned objection, but it failed because it was seen by the Freedom Caucus as too generous, even after Trump gutted it of any meaning as healthcare.
3
A Trump victory leading to a gradual collapse of the medical care industry in combination with the widespread protests and unrest it would provoke would have been my preference.
Sometimes you need to let the beasts run wild for a time in order to finally rid yourself of them.
Sometimes you need to let the beasts run wild for a time in order to finally rid yourself of them.
2
And the wild beasts kill and eat how many of us before this apotheosis is achieved?
Total agreement here. I'm still chuckling. Thanks for the morning brightener.
Thank God. Many of us feared the worst in an insular one party federal government. May the GOP suffer continued paralysis until 2018.
1
Let's not forget that the vast majority of House Republicans were actually willing to support RyanTrumpcare knowing full well that it would eliminate health care for 24 million Americans over 10 years while slashing taxes for rich people; and that most of the Republicans who opposed the bill, opposed it not out of any concern for those who would be hurt by it, but because it didn't throw enough people off their health insurance. The Republican party has morphed from the party of Lincoln to the savagely indifferent party of Ayn Rand.
2
Government was invented to cover universal risks shared by everyone. Loss of wellness is a universal risk. Taxation was invented to fund the efforts of government to mitigate risks by forcing everyone to chip in, no deadbeats allowed. Insurance companies are very expensive tax collectors.
3
The failure of this bill confirms a great deal about Trump. First, his ability to cut favorable deals during his business career had very little to do with creative ideas or balanced solutions. Rather, he used his financial clout, thanks dad, to bludgeon the people at the negotiating table, all of whom had weaker hands. He felt that, with majorities in both houses, he had that same clout and could impose his will. Second, how much thought did the administration put into the nuts and bolts of this legislation. There was no crafting of the final bill to make sure that what was rolled out was a carefully considered alternative that would improve the situation. Rather, he just grabbed an off-the-rack solution put together by an ideologue and tried to muscle it through, in spite of the fact that it was so clearly flawed and would cause a great deal of harm. Trump needs to try being an adult, state that we can make improvements and then start to work to find solutions....and leave the name calling and finger pointing behind.
1
Now is the time for good folks (especially rich ones) to step up to the plate and show how the free market can partner with their government to do great things and make Obamacare better.
I haven't figured it all out -- but if Gates, Buffet, Bloomberg and others truly care about health care, why not start their own insurance company. It may not ever be a break-even investment. But it will point the way and shame the government. Maybe these multi-billionaires will actually lose a few billion over a few years. But isn't this a good use of their money? Offer guaranteed returns of 3% for all of us to invest in this company -- so the billionaires only have to pay that interest (and make up for losses of the health care coverage), and not fund the company themselves. Then go around the country to wherever the insurance market is nonexistent or lacks competitors and set up insurance companies and entice doctors to join the network, maybe even pick up tuition for medical students who will work there for 5 years after graduating medical school. Charge reasonable premiums. Don't pad the companies with unnecessary overhead. Sure this will cost money. But eventually the market might even begin to work -- more of the patients will be healthier over time (they will be treated for untreated illness and preventive care will be available at low or no cost). More people will find these places viable places to call home. Maybe companies will even move there and offer health insurance.
I haven't figured it all out -- but if Gates, Buffet, Bloomberg and others truly care about health care, why not start their own insurance company. It may not ever be a break-even investment. But it will point the way and shame the government. Maybe these multi-billionaires will actually lose a few billion over a few years. But isn't this a good use of their money? Offer guaranteed returns of 3% for all of us to invest in this company -- so the billionaires only have to pay that interest (and make up for losses of the health care coverage), and not fund the company themselves. Then go around the country to wherever the insurance market is nonexistent or lacks competitors and set up insurance companies and entice doctors to join the network, maybe even pick up tuition for medical students who will work there for 5 years after graduating medical school. Charge reasonable premiums. Don't pad the companies with unnecessary overhead. Sure this will cost money. But eventually the market might even begin to work -- more of the patients will be healthier over time (they will be treated for untreated illness and preventive care will be available at low or no cost). More people will find these places viable places to call home. Maybe companies will even move there and offer health insurance.
1
All the billionaires you mention are smart enough to know that the free market has no place in health care. Well maybe on the fringes of totally non-necessary procedures like face-lifts or something, but nothing life-threatening. You can't have a bottom line on something that is life or death for the patient. Please give up this ridiculous idea. You can't apply market forces to everything. Have you ever heard about love and compassion?
I don't support market health care. But that is what we have, and until we have single-payer lots of people are suffering -- Obamacare does not work well in very poor rural areas. Something has to be done for these people until things are set right. My hal
Having spent the majority of my adulthood in health care as (in chronological order) a hospital orderly, an Army medic, an LVN and finally, an RN, I can state unequivocally that the most important factor a person brings to any of the health care professions, from orderly to physician, is to care, genuinely care, about as well as for others. Without that trait, you will never rise above being mediocre at your job.
That is the reason Trump, Ryan and the Republicans of Congress failed --utterly, completely so-- to deliver on health care reform. For the whole lot of them, this extravaganza has all been about the (bring on the superlatives) show, but without one iota of thought or concern for the heart.
That is the reason Trump, Ryan and the Republicans of Congress failed --utterly, completely so-- to deliver on health care reform. For the whole lot of them, this extravaganza has all been about the (bring on the superlatives) show, but without one iota of thought or concern for the heart.
4
Con men will always try to take advantage of gullible people but this time it didn't quite work. But it almost did. If the R's really want to do something to lower healtchare costs, they should focus on tort reform. Wouldn't it be nice if doctors could order tests and procedures which were in their patients' bests interests instead of just needing to cover their backsides. I welcome the day when I don't see ads for lawyers encouraging people to file frivolous law suits. The R's have railed against the D's for decades about being in the pockets of the trial lawyers. Now they're in control. Let's see if all the lawyers in Congress can focus on something that would definitely lower the cost of healthcare
The new Ryan Care (he had it ready long before Trump showed up) did nothing to make healthcare cheaper and to give more care to people. All it did was a suggestion to subsidize the current insane costs via tax savings accounts, which means that everyone gathers less in the tax basket so that the insurance, hospitals and drug makers can keep charging price out of touch with the median salary.
I thought that the Obamacare was bad because it was too expensive, compulsory, and too many doctors were allowed to opt out of network, the prices were not transparent, and the drug prices were not negotiated and kept at the same levels with the rest of the world. The Republicans did nothing to change all this, they just rearranged the deck chairs in the Titanic so that the first class can survive more.
In the first republican debate Trump said that he was for universal healthcare and he had some sensible solutions to cut costs in the healthcare industry and make it transparent. Apart from the ability to buy insurance across the state lines, all his good first ideas were lost. I guess someone told him that the party he was running to represent was 100% against these ideas. (Same with the Democrats - apart from Sanders and Jill Stein nobody really wanted these changes, including the mainstream media whose top advertiser buyers is the healthcare complex, so I advise the NYT and the commentators here to chill out and keep things in the right perspective.
I thought that the Obamacare was bad because it was too expensive, compulsory, and too many doctors were allowed to opt out of network, the prices were not transparent, and the drug prices were not negotiated and kept at the same levels with the rest of the world. The Republicans did nothing to change all this, they just rearranged the deck chairs in the Titanic so that the first class can survive more.
In the first republican debate Trump said that he was for universal healthcare and he had some sensible solutions to cut costs in the healthcare industry and make it transparent. Apart from the ability to buy insurance across the state lines, all his good first ideas were lost. I guess someone told him that the party he was running to represent was 100% against these ideas. (Same with the Democrats - apart from Sanders and Jill Stein nobody really wanted these changes, including the mainstream media whose top advertiser buyers is the healthcare complex, so I advise the NYT and the commentators here to chill out and keep things in the right perspective.
I find it sublimely ironic that those conservatives who wanted the bill to go even farther to sock it to the poor were the very ones whose negative stance sank the bill therefore leaving the ACA in place which benefits the people these conservatives obviously detest.
It's almost Shakespearean in its twisty plot. In the end for these conservatives it was a whole lot of sound and fury signifying nothing.
It's almost Shakespearean in its twisty plot. In the end for these conservatives it was a whole lot of sound and fury signifying nothing.
1
This fight will be resumed during the life of the current congress because at the core Republicans want the tax cuts. The rest is all a smoke screen.
2
Incompetence. Is that grounds for impeachment? Cruelty. Is that simply a by-product of the incompetence or is it somehow intended? How could these Republican legislators and their (no my) president be so stupid as to think they had a sensible bill in that one that was just withdrawn. It is tragic. Not for the legislators and their president. Tragic for the nation. It would be funny, but I am too disheartened to laugh.
2
Can the "Freedom" Caucus be marginalized so that we can get to bipartisan efforts to repair the ACA? Can congress function more at levels involving compromise than recrimination? There are plenty of congressional representatives who want to see health care improved and made cheaper with more expansive coverage.
In this situation Speaker Ryan, if he persists in the idea that the federal government should not be involved with national health care, is an obstruction. He is, for now, more interested in his embedded political ideology than serious work on a national health care plan.
Secretary Price, himself a physician, was out there defending a "plan" that was denounced by almost every major medical, hospital and nursing association in the country. All were in favor of improving and repairing the ACA.
In this situation Speaker Ryan, if he persists in the idea that the federal government should not be involved with national health care, is an obstruction. He is, for now, more interested in his embedded political ideology than serious work on a national health care plan.
Secretary Price, himself a physician, was out there defending a "plan" that was denounced by almost every major medical, hospital and nursing association in the country. All were in favor of improving and repairing the ACA.
3
How right and grand that the Republicans failed in fulfilling the Trump promise of repealing and replacing Obama care - "I will repeal and replace Obamacare on Day One". So much for that Goebbelsian promise. What destructive legislation and demented policy will be presented to the Congress by Leader Ryan next? The Trump A.H.C.A failed because it was riddled with cutting benefits for the poor and reducing taxes for the rich. A bad deal. The dealmaker in chief has been shown to be a Macy's Thanksgiving Day Balloon, full of hot air and promises that has plummeted to the ground and lies, unresurrectible. Our Carney Barker and Commander in Chief has some brutal lessons to be learned ahead if he wants to be an effectual American President. We are ashamed and not laughing at the messy swamp Trump's 45th Presidency has become. We are, alas, all caught in his web of broken promises and inexorable incompetence.
1
It’s easy for the Editorial Board to be so critical, if not even laughing their heads off, over the failed attempt at fixing Obamacare. But isn’t that just as irresponsible as the Dems sitting on the sidelines, refusing to participate and shirking their responsibility to do the job they are supposedly being paid for? The result is that the people lose again. Is political infighting so overwhelming now that in order to hurt the other party, the politicians have to root for our president and our country to fail? The Dems have duped the naïve public into believing that Obamacare should be preserved in spite of knowing the real truth. It was a bill passed without having been read and based on a pack of lies. The real dire provisions were rigged to be triggered once Obama left office. The future of healthcare is bleak unless you have employer paid healthcare. Yes, this was humiliating and enemies of Trump and the GOP are reveling in yesterday’s outcome. Wait until they wake up and realiz that they got what they wished for!!!
4
You might want to check your facts, which are wrong on just about every point.
The Dems are quite willing to work on improvements to Obamacare. They are not willing to repeal it in its entirety and destroy the features that are working and that people like. So no, they were not going to help the Republicans with their insane and very cruel bill that was simply a sop to the very wealthy. Like Donald Trump and many in Congress.
We're not enemies of Donald Trump and the Republicans. We're friends of the people and we want to do what government is meant to do - promote the welfare of the governed. You might check the Preamble to the Constitution and then get back to us on how the AHCA was going to do that for all the citizenry, not just the very wealthy.
The Dems are quite willing to work on improvements to Obamacare. They are not willing to repeal it in its entirety and destroy the features that are working and that people like. So no, they were not going to help the Republicans with their insane and very cruel bill that was simply a sop to the very wealthy. Like Donald Trump and many in Congress.
We're not enemies of Donald Trump and the Republicans. We're friends of the people and we want to do what government is meant to do - promote the welfare of the governed. You might check the Preamble to the Constitution and then get back to us on how the AHCA was going to do that for all the citizenry, not just the very wealthy.
1
There is no other way to describe what occurred, a better idea just defeated a really bad one. Whether one likes President Obama or not, he and the Democrats have convinced a majority of Americans that everyone should have at least adequate Healthcare; and I am not talking about in pinch, a trip to the emergency room. That is no longer acceptable, or I dare say a moral stance to take. Indeed, I am hopeful this represents a significant paradigm shift. But I hope Democrats don't think this fight is over. Trump's HHS Secretary Tom Price oversees the implementation of the ACA. With Republicans still in control, one can expect them to try to undermine it any way they can. This fight should be a rallying call to a to keep resisting.
2
Despite the apparent unification of the nation under GOP majorities across Washington, and most of the states too, the underlying reality did not change.
Most voters did not want Trump. The split of voters who want GOP representation is only about 50%, and even thought they have effectively gerrymandered the House, it is harder to gerrymander the Senate.
Unifying the label on government (GOP) has not unified the party. They are still a bunch of unherded cats, and they are still a destructive force in the overall narrative of useless government. Bur people are beginning to understand that government is not useless, it is specifically *this* government that is useless.
They could lose their jobs.
And that is the reality. Demonstrating that they are willing to have 24 million people lose insurance, and have very few get a better deal than from the ACA or even the travesty that preceded the ACA should have been dead on arrival. And really bad optics, like a photo of group if white males kvetching about having to pay for maternity care and eliminating it, did not help.
The GOP can't herd their own cats, and there is only so much they can blame on the Democrats before it becomes obvious to GOP voters that the GOP is the problem.
We should be careful though. One solution is to elect a lot more Freedom Caucus members rather than to elect fewer. And that would be a catastrophe.
Most voters did not want Trump. The split of voters who want GOP representation is only about 50%, and even thought they have effectively gerrymandered the House, it is harder to gerrymander the Senate.
Unifying the label on government (GOP) has not unified the party. They are still a bunch of unherded cats, and they are still a destructive force in the overall narrative of useless government. Bur people are beginning to understand that government is not useless, it is specifically *this* government that is useless.
They could lose their jobs.
And that is the reality. Demonstrating that they are willing to have 24 million people lose insurance, and have very few get a better deal than from the ACA or even the travesty that preceded the ACA should have been dead on arrival. And really bad optics, like a photo of group if white males kvetching about having to pay for maternity care and eliminating it, did not help.
The GOP can't herd their own cats, and there is only so much they can blame on the Democrats before it becomes obvious to GOP voters that the GOP is the problem.
We should be careful though. One solution is to elect a lot more Freedom Caucus members rather than to elect fewer. And that would be a catastrophe.
2
Thank goodness incompetence achieved what reason would not: the death of Trumpcare! It's time for moderate Republicans and Democrats to collaborate to do what most other advanced democracies did years ago: enact a National Health system. Basic health services for all paid for via taxes -- spreading the risks -- plus private insurance to cover additional services, like private hospital rooms, for those who want it. It works in Canada, the UK, Australia, and Europe. It will work here.
6
Totally agree. Even though flawed in many ways the NHS in the UK saves millions of lives every year, and is rightly valued by the majority of citizens. Healthcare is a basic human right and must be protected.
The reason Republicans were unable to adopt a new and better way to provide health care insurance is that their primary objective was never to do that. From vainglorious start to ignominious end, the prime objective was to slash taxes paid by upper income citizens. The revenue from those taxes subsidized health care for lower and middle income citizens. Republicans foolishly assumed, without evidence, that reducing or eliminating subsidies would reduce the cost of health care for everyone. Yet we know that US health care costs more because we pay health care providers more than other countries. If we did not, many of our prospective medical students would seek more lucrative careers in business or other professions. It's all about competition -- which Republicans apparently know little about.
4
While we all dance with glee at the demise of the Republican health care plan we need to keep in our minds the primary causes of our health care crisis, and why even a refined ACA will implode at some point. First, our culture favors expensive medicine over living a healthy lifestyle. Second, we feel morally obligated to keep everyone alive as long as possible no matter the quality of life or the expense of keeping that person alive. Third, new, even more expensive medical technology will continue to be developed and we will pay more and more to extend lives longer and longer. As long as our expectations grow, so will healthcare costs.
8
Are you suggesting that we should just let people die and refuse to provide health care for those who don't "live a healthy lifestyle" - as judged by whom? The federal government...or is that something you'd leave to the states? Does living a healthy lifestyle apply to West Virginia coal miners who develop black lung because of their work?
The reason our healthcare is the most expensive in the world has nothing to do with the state of health of the citizens. It has to do with profit motives driving the system. Capitalism and health care are not a good combination - you would have thought we'd have figured that out by now. Capitalism is great for businesses; it is abysmal for meeting the needs of society. Health care is a need for every living person. We need a single payer system like every other industrialized (and apparently more intelligent) country in the world. In fact, we already have one that works quite well - Medicare.
The reason our healthcare is the most expensive in the world has nothing to do with the state of health of the citizens. It has to do with profit motives driving the system. Capitalism and health care are not a good combination - you would have thought we'd have figured that out by now. Capitalism is great for businesses; it is abysmal for meeting the needs of society. Health care is a need for every living person. We need a single payer system like every other industrialized (and apparently more intelligent) country in the world. In fact, we already have one that works quite well - Medicare.
Over the lat few years my eyes have been opened to the abuse of our healthcare insurance by doctors and other healthcare providers. Unnecessary expensive tests. Opting for the 20k battery of tests when the $500 gold standard test is more than adequate to diagnose a condition. The reasons are obvious.
Two frauds couldn't make it right.
Paul Ryan passed himself off as a ''policy wonk'' for years, but never bothered to put together a serious legislative proposal to ''reform and replace'' the Obamacare he despises. He chaired the House committees on Budget and Ways and Means Committee before becoming Speaker of the House, so had plenty of time and resources to develop healthcare reform legislation. After his previous epic fails (his failed attempts to privatize Social Security and voucherize Medicare,) does Ryan finally lose his faux wonk celebrity after this debacle?
Trump, ''nobody knew healthcare could be so complicated,'' understands nothing about policy or politics. He does know he is an accidental President, elected by a narrow EC margin, a loser in the popular vote, with his approval rating running 25% below where Obama's was at the same point in his term (Gallup.) His default setting is bluff and bluster, a lifetime habit of blaming others for his failures. The presidency is a job he never prepared for, more complicated and stressful than anything he has ever experienced. He is just not up to it.
The two con men couldn't pull it off. Millions can breathe easier today, tens of thousands will lead better, more productive, happier lives
The White House is being investigated for espionage, perhaps our best hope to bring this nightmare to a quick end. In, the meantime, call your representatives and show up at town halls to protect your country from these fraudsters.
Paul Ryan passed himself off as a ''policy wonk'' for years, but never bothered to put together a serious legislative proposal to ''reform and replace'' the Obamacare he despises. He chaired the House committees on Budget and Ways and Means Committee before becoming Speaker of the House, so had plenty of time and resources to develop healthcare reform legislation. After his previous epic fails (his failed attempts to privatize Social Security and voucherize Medicare,) does Ryan finally lose his faux wonk celebrity after this debacle?
Trump, ''nobody knew healthcare could be so complicated,'' understands nothing about policy or politics. He does know he is an accidental President, elected by a narrow EC margin, a loser in the popular vote, with his approval rating running 25% below where Obama's was at the same point in his term (Gallup.) His default setting is bluff and bluster, a lifetime habit of blaming others for his failures. The presidency is a job he never prepared for, more complicated and stressful than anything he has ever experienced. He is just not up to it.
The two con men couldn't pull it off. Millions can breathe easier today, tens of thousands will lead better, more productive, happier lives
The White House is being investigated for espionage, perhaps our best hope to bring this nightmare to a quick end. In, the meantime, call your representatives and show up at town halls to protect your country from these fraudsters.
52
The disease is worse than greed since the benefits to the few has the "same red blood of patriots" on it. Those who would have received the tax breaks should remember what those financial windfalls cost - Revolutions are started that way.
It is time to call these people traitors to the people they represent.