Why why do they keep bowing down to this guy?
1
Don the treasonous con is the worst negotiator that I have ever seen!
1
Time for the people and the Senate all meet at Mara Lago to work things out in between, golf tournaments, beauty pageants , weddings and yachting. After the Republican senators pass out in the heat they should take a vote. Lrt us have big black jack and caps party. Winner take all Mr. President. Time to put your Russian IOU's against your property while you gamble away the American health care system.
1
Let's hope he's fed up enough to abdicate, and take Pence with him.
WWAAHHHHH...Cry baby!
WWAAHHHHH...Cry baby!
Let's be clear-the Republican healthcare bill failed because it was privately cobbled together by 13 white able-bodied males who are completely out of touch with what America wants and needs and it wasbacked by a moronic president and the stingy, shortsighted, bigots who supported these office-holders.
3
"Let Obamacare fail" = "Let them eat cake"
A Republican's Ode to the American people, reflecting upon the ACA:
If you want health you must have wealth or dig yourself a grave
We crave repeal and do not feel you need your life to save
So no more tax and no more facts and no more bored debate
We'll smash gridlock, unwind the clock and leave you to your fate
Take my advice, live life right and don't get sick or old
Don't slip and fall, or have a child or get caught in the cold
For we've a prez, does what he sez so him you cannot blame
Do take note, it's those who vote who brought us to this shame.
If you want health you must have wealth or dig yourself a grave
We crave repeal and do not feel you need your life to save
So no more tax and no more facts and no more bored debate
We'll smash gridlock, unwind the clock and leave you to your fate
Take my advice, live life right and don't get sick or old
Don't slip and fall, or have a child or get caught in the cold
For we've a prez, does what he sez so him you cannot blame
Do take note, it's those who vote who brought us to this shame.
5
Politely, I find it ironic that Governor Kasich, who is considered a champion of the right to life movement. signed an act which, regardless abnormalities only distinguishable after more than the first twenty weeks, denies a woman the right to abort the damaged fetus, yet has recently given his approval for plans to execute twenty-seven prisoners in an assembly line of death.
3
Hooray! Trump Care failed.
I hope the upcoming 'tax reform' also meets same fate.
I hope the upcoming 'tax reform' also meets same fate.
3
Now if level of activism can be kept up thru the midterms....
2
Seems like the Obama's " signature achievement" was the healthcare's bill for the poor and disabled to be pick up by the " wealthy" citizens. Can someone tell me in what other country today a similar scenario exists?
1
This is the case in all developed countries except the United States. They provide their with healthcare fo all.
"The man of great wealth owes a particular obligation to the state, because he derives special advantages from the mere existence of government. Not only should he recognize this obligation in the way he leads his daily life and in the way he earns and spends his money, but it should also be recognized by the way in which he pays for the protection the state gives him."
--Teddy Roosevelt (The Essential Theodore Roosevelt, Grammercy Books, 1994)
"This country will not be a permanently good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a reasonably good place for all of us to live in."
-- Teddy Roosevelt, Chicago, IL, June 17, 1912
"The man of great wealth owes a particular obligation to the state, because he derives special advantages from the mere existence of government. Not only should he recognize this obligation in the way he leads his daily life and in the way he earns and spends his money, but it should also be recognized by the way in which he pays for the protection the state gives him."
--Teddy Roosevelt (The Essential Theodore Roosevelt, Grammercy Books, 1994)
"This country will not be a permanently good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a reasonably good place for all of us to live in."
-- Teddy Roosevelt, Chicago, IL, June 17, 1912
7
Kevin, as if the middle class and the poor don't subsidize the rich in myriad ways, including providing the overwhelming number of soldiers that defend this country.
3
If Trump really wants to get health reform through Congress, he needs to start referring to it as "fantastic" and "tremendous", which is his usual political stratagem for whipping legislators into place. Indeed, he seems to have few other political resources beyond the wanton application of tired superlatives. Excuse me, I almost forgot, using insults is his other means of persuasion. At least we haven't been hearing this about health care, Jeff Sessions notwithstanding.
3
Is the current healthcare emergency in the US the thing that will topple this great nation? Yes... if our leaders continue to fail on this issue.
Trump is like a couch-bound sports fan who gesticulates wildly at the TV when his favorite team is playing and actually believes he is participating. When they lose, he shakes his head in disgust and growls at the "bums" but then they win, it suddenly becomes "WE WON!"
12
What emboldens Trump to threaten GOP Senators is his billion dollar campaign war-chest, which, in turn, was not built up from Trump's business acumen, but rather has been subsidized by the Russian mafia.
Trump is not merely a bully, nor a mere hoax -- he is a criminal who has colluded with some of the most violent criminals in the world.
This is never going to get any prettier.
Time to get the impeachment process going now.
Start with retaking the Congress in 2018.
Impeach 2019.
https://newrepublic.com/article/143586/trumps-russian-laundromat-trump-t...
Trump’s Russian Laundromat
Trump is not merely a bully, nor a mere hoax -- he is a criminal who has colluded with some of the most violent criminals in the world.
This is never going to get any prettier.
Time to get the impeachment process going now.
Start with retaking the Congress in 2018.
Impeach 2019.
https://newrepublic.com/article/143586/trumps-russian-laundromat-trump-t...
Trump’s Russian Laundromat
16
The sad truth is these players in Washington and the man-baby-in chief are playing with the livelihoods of citizens they have sworn to protect. Every one of the Republicans who created this mess needs to be run out of office in 2018 or else it will be more of the same. These idiots have all of the power and they don't even know how to do right and just by their constituents. The only thing Trump wants is attention and adoration.... what a sad tiny human being.
9
"If the baby needs a diaper change, you change the baby's diaper. You don't throw the baby away." Paraphrasing what Senator Joe Manchin said to Katie Tur of MSNBC today in an interview about the future of the healthcare bill.
5
Winning is easy, governing's harder...
2
The CBO estimate shows how many people the Republicans in favor of the varying health bills are willing to see dead, in order to keep the Tea party happy, to keep power.
4
So the president is ceding up.
When, at any time, did he contribute one solid idea to the debate other than "Repeal Obamacare!" Did he give a blueprint on how to do this? Didn't he say repeatedly on the campaign trail that he had a "beautiful plan" that would cover more people at lower premiums than the ACA?
We'll, where *is* this plan?
Oh wait, yet another lie from the so-called president...
When, at any time, did he contribute one solid idea to the debate other than "Repeal Obamacare!" Did he give a blueprint on how to do this? Didn't he say repeatedly on the campaign trail that he had a "beautiful plan" that would cover more people at lower premiums than the ACA?
We'll, where *is* this plan?
Oh wait, yet another lie from the so-called president...
10
The fact that a bill such as this was thought up, brought up and got as far as it did speaks volumes about the Enemy Within.
4
Trump's ego is talking... If I don't get my Trumpcare passed, then Obama doesn't get to keep his Obamacare either! So there!
4
They're loosing the 2018 election and they don't even need Russia's help. "The Donald" with all his deal making skills coulding put this one over because he's dealing with Republicans who don't know what they want a health care bill or the 2018 election so they're going to loose both. They couldn't run a two car parade backwords. Obamacare wins because the Republicans can't agree on the color "yellow"
2
"Still, the White House is not giving up."
Well, not today after giving up yesterday: "let Obamacare die". Ad maybe will give up again tomorrow. Then not giving up again on Friday. Thank heavens the next day is Saturday, time to do some golfing at a club he owns.
Well, not today after giving up yesterday: "let Obamacare die". Ad maybe will give up again tomorrow. Then not giving up again on Friday. Thank heavens the next day is Saturday, time to do some golfing at a club he owns.
4
What a pathetic mob of petty and power-mad little men and women, stumbling over their own feet in the rush to destroy anything and everything for everyone but them and their sycophants. May every one of them get what they ultimately deserve.
7
Poor little Donnie, having trouble getting along with the other Republicans in the Kindergarten.
3
I find it revealing that when Trump got together with GOP senators Monday night, his concern was that not passing his bill would "look bad." It's all about appearances with The Donald. There is also the small problem that the product he promised back before the election is not the product he's trying to sell now. You'd think a couple GOP senators would get up on their hind legs and remind him of this. He promised a luxury car; he's planning to deliver an Edsel. Then again, that's how he always worked in the real estate biz, wasn't it?
5
Dear Mr. President,
take some advice from a European.
Health care ist not be a condo or a real estate deal but it´s even no "politics" as you had to learn politics in recent years in GOP. It´s a public services task designed to stabilise a nation and a baseload supply for generations.
The descriptive German word for this is "Daseinsvorsorge", a word more tangible than the French word "services d'intérêt général" you can´t translate in English. More than hundred countries know the requirements of this system to be workable. Don´t tell me anything about this and that and all details of ACA and what else. I dön´t want to listen to any follie of this ridiculous disgusting waffle anymore. Not one single word we have to read all day.
So: It´s NOT politics. Doesn´t it sound great to you?
Yes, you are right: Obamacare is a misconstruction. But as you know the only cure is to replace it by a workable construction. I´m sure you have learned this lesson in real real estate business, no doubt about it. You would have not survived without.
So ask trustworthy experts who have proven to be able to run a workable health care system (French, German, English, Spanish, to mention just a few), let them hand out a WORKABLE PLOT, coordinate this with all relevant players, do not listen to anybody trying to discuss it "politically", and adopt a bulldozer approach to crush all resistances from now on.
This way sounds familiar to a veteran real estate Pro like you?
Alright. So just do it!
take some advice from a European.
Health care ist not be a condo or a real estate deal but it´s even no "politics" as you had to learn politics in recent years in GOP. It´s a public services task designed to stabilise a nation and a baseload supply for generations.
The descriptive German word for this is "Daseinsvorsorge", a word more tangible than the French word "services d'intérêt général" you can´t translate in English. More than hundred countries know the requirements of this system to be workable. Don´t tell me anything about this and that and all details of ACA and what else. I dön´t want to listen to any follie of this ridiculous disgusting waffle anymore. Not one single word we have to read all day.
So: It´s NOT politics. Doesn´t it sound great to you?
Yes, you are right: Obamacare is a misconstruction. But as you know the only cure is to replace it by a workable construction. I´m sure you have learned this lesson in real real estate business, no doubt about it. You would have not survived without.
So ask trustworthy experts who have proven to be able to run a workable health care system (French, German, English, Spanish, to mention just a few), let them hand out a WORKABLE PLOT, coordinate this with all relevant players, do not listen to anybody trying to discuss it "politically", and adopt a bulldozer approach to crush all resistances from now on.
This way sounds familiar to a veteran real estate Pro like you?
Alright. So just do it!
3
The Washington Post story today about that Senate lunch Trump called was telling. Donald was mostly blabbering about his Bastille Day trip to Paris, describing the festivities and flags and Macron's attention.
Meanwhile his bill was collapsing. The one that wasnt what he promised the American people.
Let Them eat Fake!
Meanwhile his bill was collapsing. The one that wasnt what he promised the American people.
Let Them eat Fake!
8
The curious thing is why these 52 GOP senators would jump to it, stay in DC during half of their August recess to hash this out again? They have had little help, support, encouragement, understanding of healthcare issues, or guidance from the White House while they have been grinding away for months, save to be reminded that it was a campaign promise.
3
The answer to our healthcare problems is obvious but harmful to the corporations that own the GOP.
It is just get private healthcare insurance companies out of the act. They are simply money changers with sticky fingers. They are not doctors or nurses. They represent nothing but unbounded greed.
Just provide Medicare for all, regardless of age, or pre-existing conditions. I know it works perfectly because that is the system I have been on for many years. It is called TriCare and is the healthcare plan for all retired military personnel and their dependents.
Retired military personnel (basically those with 20 or more years of service) are not part of the VA system. My wife and I pay no copays, no deductibles, no nothing. Medicare pays 80% and TriCare pays the remains 20%. We each pay a nominal monthly sum that comes out of our Social Security pensions. We see any doctor we want when when we want. Unlike Medicare, TriCare can negotiate with Big Pharma and it makes a huge difference.
Welcome to the 21st century.
It is just get private healthcare insurance companies out of the act. They are simply money changers with sticky fingers. They are not doctors or nurses. They represent nothing but unbounded greed.
Just provide Medicare for all, regardless of age, or pre-existing conditions. I know it works perfectly because that is the system I have been on for many years. It is called TriCare and is the healthcare plan for all retired military personnel and their dependents.
Retired military personnel (basically those with 20 or more years of service) are not part of the VA system. My wife and I pay no copays, no deductibles, no nothing. Medicare pays 80% and TriCare pays the remains 20%. We each pay a nominal monthly sum that comes out of our Social Security pensions. We see any doctor we want when when we want. Unlike Medicare, TriCare can negotiate with Big Pharma and it makes a huge difference.
Welcome to the 21st century.
6
This health care bill failure gets to the core of Mr. Trumps single minded priority, a win for him without even wanting to understand the merits of the bill and the affect it has on the nations populace.
4
Trump is not the sharpest knife in the drawer, he proved this fact many times over in his 70+ years on this planet. The GOP is going down that same road, and it leads to their ruin. All in an effort to give the 1% a trillion dollar tax break at the public s expense. Furthermore, since the ACA wasn't repealed, the government is obliged to fund it and keep it stabilized. It may not matter, the GOP has done substantial damage to their constituency, and proven to the moderates who inadvertently propelled Trump into office, that they don't care about them at all. In the midterms like the democrats, will suffer the consequences and the tea party along with Ryan will be ousted.
4
Over the past 6 months, I've been coaching myself to not respond to all that has come to us from this presidency with blame, incredulity and outrage, because they weren't getting me closer to finding solutions to the mess we are in. Still not closer to many of the solution aspects, but at least there aren't knee jerk reactions to blast me off course. It had been a losing battle until reading the latest presidential strategy to assist the failure of the Affordable Care Act, which included withholding payments for it and throwing the insurance market into chaos.
My cup of watching governance by sucker punch has finally been filled.
From a TV program during the early '70's, Kung Fu, one of its episodes offered this adage to the student, Grasshopper: "Revenge is a leaky vessel".
The White House is now a boat resembling a sieve.
As the president voiced his formulated course of action to undo ACA, an aid reminded him that were he to act in such a way, he would be unable to blame the Democrats for its failure.
And, there we have it. Never mind that the Affordable Care Act is law and an oath was taken to uphold the laws of this nation. Never mind that millions of Americans would suffer.
Neither of these details have ever even been on the list.
Thank you to all the millions of Americans who called and wrote to their representatives, who appear at town halls and turned out to march. Thank you Senators Collins, Murkowsky and Capito for your steadfast valiance.
My cup of watching governance by sucker punch has finally been filled.
From a TV program during the early '70's, Kung Fu, one of its episodes offered this adage to the student, Grasshopper: "Revenge is a leaky vessel".
The White House is now a boat resembling a sieve.
As the president voiced his formulated course of action to undo ACA, an aid reminded him that were he to act in such a way, he would be unable to blame the Democrats for its failure.
And, there we have it. Never mind that the Affordable Care Act is law and an oath was taken to uphold the laws of this nation. Never mind that millions of Americans would suffer.
Neither of these details have ever even been on the list.
Thank you to all the millions of Americans who called and wrote to their representatives, who appear at town halls and turned out to march. Thank you Senators Collins, Murkowsky and Capito for your steadfast valiance.
7
work requirements - from people who have not worked a day in their lives?
2
When the day comes that the republicans comprehend that the American people (as demonstrated by poll after poll’s result)will not stand for the cost of repeal (millions of uninsured stressing the system with excessive expense for medical emergencies that are readilt averted through continuing care for chornic conditions at far lower cost to begin with) and begin working with Democrats to fix what's wrong with the system we have (which is imperfect but better than what we had before, the nothing the republicans wish upon us) and improve it. This is the only way this impasse will get resolved. ACA, like it or not, is actually working for the average American.
3
It is fundamentally dishonest to pretend that the GOP leadership was interested in repeal & replace. They always wanted a way to destroy Obamacare and remove Obama's name from the US vernacular. It could still happen, because the GOP leadership is entirely bereft of intellect, morals, and ideas. Their opponent in this fight was not the Democrats, it was the light of day. Healthcare is an issue important enough even many of the know-nothings were paying attention - and they did not like what they saw.
The Koch brothers and other owners of the GOP brand may have bankrolled the Republican Senators, but they don't have enough votes to re-elect them and the Senators know it. Everyone has been looking for cover since the process started, hence the fake "replace" part of the phrase.
McConnell has proven himself to be the Emperor with no Clothes who has no essence or personality except that defined by his hatred. Ryan is simply a dim preppy that showed his lack of depth in the process. The GOP would do well to remove this dead weight and find some people with ideas that are in touch with their own actual voting constituencies. After all, the Koch brothers only have 2 votes as far as I know and they are well out of sync with actual Republicans.
The Koch brothers and other owners of the GOP brand may have bankrolled the Republican Senators, but they don't have enough votes to re-elect them and the Senators know it. Everyone has been looking for cover since the process started, hence the fake "replace" part of the phrase.
McConnell has proven himself to be the Emperor with no Clothes who has no essence or personality except that defined by his hatred. Ryan is simply a dim preppy that showed his lack of depth in the process. The GOP would do well to remove this dead weight and find some people with ideas that are in touch with their own actual voting constituencies. After all, the Koch brothers only have 2 votes as far as I know and they are well out of sync with actual Republicans.
6
Trump is a mean, vindictive narcissist who just hates to lose. The ACA is far more popular with the American people than he is, and it will be baffling if any of his threats hold sway with the Republicans in the Senate.
3
Trump, no "friend" of the American people on healthcare, told his little table of Senators that he was surprised that they couldn't pull it off since he thought they were HIS friends.
He asked that guy Heller from Nevada if he wanted to keep his job as a Senator. His Trumpcare Mess had 12% support. This guy aint playing with a full deck.
He asked that guy Heller from Nevada if he wanted to keep his job as a Senator. His Trumpcare Mess had 12% support. This guy aint playing with a full deck.
6
Trump: "Nobody knew health care could be so complicated."
Yes. He really said that.
Yes. He really said that.
3
Now Trump is peddling beating a dead horse of a bill to Republican senators with absolutely no concrete suggestions for improvement. This happened at lunch on Wednesday with sycophantic Mike Pence eager beavering it at his side.
Most disturbing, however--even more disturbing than his incompetence--is his characterization of the vote as a test of personal loyalty to him! His "friends" apparently we're expected to vote for this stinker of a bill even though he had no input in it and arguably undercut it.
How much lower can we descend as a nation. We're already in the sewer with this President.
Most disturbing, however--even more disturbing than his incompetence--is his characterization of the vote as a test of personal loyalty to him! His "friends" apparently we're expected to vote for this stinker of a bill even though he had no input in it and arguably undercut it.
How much lower can we descend as a nation. We're already in the sewer with this President.
4
Why on earth would Trump be fed up? He's contributed exactly zero to the discussion. A nothing burger. He's changed his mind repeatedly. He's mischaracterized everything, including calling bills with enormous cuts "great" He's poised to sign anything incluxing cocktail napkins in order to claim a victory. What a sham!!
2
@offshell: McConnel is nothing if not a political miscreant, microfocused on His Power as Senate Leader. His behavior over years -- particularly since the day President Obama was elected -- has been utterly devoid of the noble notion of Governance for [ALL] U.S. citizens, but rather those of whom he approves of (Conservative Caucasians).
He does have one redeeming value: as the epitome -- Gold Standard -- of the type of Represenative NOT to elect to office. In any healthy democracy elected representatives know and practice the art of compromise -- a principle for which this man serves as a walking antonym.
He does have one redeeming value: as the epitome -- Gold Standard -- of the type of Represenative NOT to elect to office. In any healthy democracy elected representatives know and practice the art of compromise -- a principle for which this man serves as a walking antonym.
3
The NYTimes has run article after article about the GOP's failure to pass a healthcare bill. I have read repeatedly about the meetings, Trump's tantrums, and lunch at the Whitehouse. It is odd and, frankly, disappointing that not one of those articles evaluates the admirable efforts of the women in Congress. Their opposition has not faltered despite the bullying of Trumpworld. Kudos to them. A razberry to the NYTimes
4
Trump is fed up ?! Really?
Guess what Mr. Trump? Many of us have been fed up with you for months, even years.
Guess what Mr. Trump? Many of us have been fed up with you for months, even years.
15
If I was a GOP congress person and got harassed by the President like Trump has done, I wd not remain very loyal.
13
While McConnell and his cohorts are despicable, cynical hypocrites who could care less about leaving millions of Americans without health insurance (a problem that does not affect McConnell & Co. given the benefits bestowed on members of Congress), the most despicable STUPID hypocrite is Trump, who cares about the issue only because he sees it as another opportunity to dismantle another of President Obama's legislative acts. Trump's stupidity was made manifest when he stated "nobody knew health care could be so complicated." But rather than study the issues and/or learn the provisions of the American Health Care Act, this idiotic and incurious moron cannot be bothered with educating himself. Furthermore, while he urges the GOP to not leave town for their summer recess without acting on overhauling health care, he sets an "example" by leaving town every weekend to play golf. Trump's failure to protect the welfare of Americans violates the oath he swore on not one, but two, bibles before "record crowds" on Inauguration Day to carry out the duties of the president of the United States--not the demands of the president of Russia. Isn't this violation, as well as his willingness to let a hostile foreign nation interfere in the presidential election and all the lies he has spewed out on Twitter since January 20th, enough to impeach him? How much longer do Americans have to put up with this dangerous demagogue?
20
I'm just tired of the mindlessness and abuse. You can win elections with simplistic slogans, but you can't make policy with them. Once an election is over, it's a _single_ Senate with 100 members, not just 52. You have to work with _all_ of them, and you have to build coalitions based on _open_ discussions. For someone who has been in office as long as Mitch McConnell, you'd think he'd have grown up enough to realize that.
11
He behaves like a toddler who's mama just took away his chocolate cookie.
Awww!
Awww!
9
I haven't read the column yet, but my first thought is: at this point, who cares what Trump thinks? I'm just a youngster (born during Ike's turn at the helm), but in my brief experience, I've never seen an administration so ill prepared to govern, so ready to trash our safety net to placate the donors and so willing to lie that his policies are the very very best thing to ever ever happen to our country. 6 months in...?... I've already tuned out. Hurry 2018 / 2020.
12
The luncheon push and twist was ghastly. Go guys, we are close... Fake trump! All he cares about is himself, sick people can move on. Hope he has to move on soon.
8
I am glad some Republicans don't see McConnell, Ryan, and Trump as the pied pipers of the party. Only a fool would follow them.
10
This Times story written in hindsight fails to mention prior Times articles praising the legerdemain and tactical skills of Mitch McConnell in which the outcome of a vote on the Republican health care bill was described as at worst uncertain and no where as "near impossible". Mitch McConnell, arch obstructionist and hagfish-like, has failed miserably in his attempt to yet again mislead and inflict bodily harm on his much abused base.
4
Trump never forgets a slight or an insult, but like the spoiled little child he is, he always seems angry and shocked that anyone ELSE doesn't forget HIS slights and insults! The horrible and outrageous things he said about fellow Republicans Rand Paul, Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, Carly Fiorino, John McCain, Paul Ryan, Jeb Bush, and even his supposed pal, Chris Christie, were the kind of lifetime insults that don't EVER deserve forgiveness. If I were ANY of them I'd make it very clear that Donald Trump could not expect any consideration or politeness from me. And a few of them, like Paul and McCain, have stood up to Trump.
The entire Senate (and House) needs to tell Donald Trump that he's not the CEO of the Congress, that they don't answer to him, and that they can, if they so choose, can over-rule 99.999% of the actions that he can take, if they so choose. They don't work for Donald Trump, which this hateful simpleton doesn't seem to get. They work for their states and their districts, not Donald J. Trump!
The entire Senate (and House) needs to tell Donald Trump that he's not the CEO of the Congress, that they don't answer to him, and that they can, if they so choose, can over-rule 99.999% of the actions that he can take, if they so choose. They don't work for Donald Trump, which this hateful simpleton doesn't seem to get. They work for their states and their districts, not Donald J. Trump!
8
the republican repeal and replace failed, thank god, for the very simple reason that it was abhorrently cruel and damaging. period. there can never be a republican replacement that will be as good or better than the aca. trump has got to shut up, take a 3.5 year golf vacation and just try and let the congress attempt at having some semblance of decency. besides, trump, as we all are more than aware of, is an egomaniac and a pathological lier. any republican with any degree of decency, and there must be at least a hand full left in washington, cannot morally vote for any republican disaster and call it health care. and they must not allow trump the threat that he has made to stop the funding of the aca. this truly disaster of a president only wants wins. he has no idea of the consequences of whatever the congress sends nor is he intent on learning them. this man is only wanting to show a win, even if that win is harmful and a disaster.
3
What happened to the " ONLY I CAN FIX IT " man?
Big mouth and nothing else.
Big mouth and nothing else.
15
To lay this debacle on "GOP Divisions and a Fed-Up President" in my view is somewhat misleading. The reason this failed is that at no time whatsoever did Republicans have any idea as to what their health plan would consist of. They had their staunch complaints about ACA, they had their utter contempt for an African American President who pulled one over on them when it was enacted, they had all the FOX TV time in the world, and now they even have the House, Senate, and Presidency.
But they never had any plan, just our child-fraudster President telling the world how great that bit of nothingness was going to be.
But they never had any plan, just our child-fraudster President telling the world how great that bit of nothingness was going to be.
10
You have called it like it is. The Republicans have nothing to offer here. They are dishonest in their motivation, wishing only to destroy the legacy of Obama. They are also dishonest in their objectives, seeking to relieve the rich from taxes. And they are dishonest in their process, not asking anything from the interested parties, including insurance companies and doctors, seeking only to concoct something with little tidbits to appease a few of them. All firms if insurance work the same way. Everyone must insure their house and their car, because they have value and anything can happen. Why shouldn't everyone, including the you and the healthy, contribute to their own health insurance. Are the young never vulnerable to disease and accidents?
It is a disgrace that our great country is at the mercy of these criminals, because this is what they are. I hope that a few of them have the courage to rebel. History will be grateful. I also hope that the press in general stops touting the loyalty of Trump's base. They are only 30 percent of the population, who placed its hopes on this man who had the shamelessness to deceive them. They would hate to admit they were deceived, but sooner or later they will wake up to his betrayal.
It is a disgrace that our great country is at the mercy of these criminals, because this is what they are. I hope that a few of them have the courage to rebel. History will be grateful. I also hope that the press in general stops touting the loyalty of Trump's base. They are only 30 percent of the population, who placed its hopes on this man who had the shamelessness to deceive them. They would hate to admit they were deceived, but sooner or later they will wake up to his betrayal.
1
Donald Trump is fed up? Think how the rest of us feel.
9
Trump's "solution" to the failure of the Senate to pass the Death Bill is to tell the Senators to get back to work and cut out their vacations. Of course Trump couldn't be bothered trying to offer any real solutions to the intractable problems McConnell faced (thankfully) from his left and his right.
Let's see Trump cut out his endless trips to his various resorts to play golf --
and actually read a page or two from a few documents to try to figure out what's going on in our country. Oh, never mind . . . .
Let's see Trump cut out his endless trips to his various resorts to play golf --
and actually read a page or two from a few documents to try to figure out what's going on in our country. Oh, never mind . . . .
8
1. He said he would let Obamacare fail---despite increasing agony for millions of us.
2. Which brings us to the fact Republicans would not let women in the room to create the bill.
3. Done in secret, by aides and staffers....barring women. The women shut out of the process voted against it.
4. Closed off, fixed--and exclusionary. McConnell's mistake.
5. The president's governing style reveals weaknesses and creates endless self-inflicted blunders. That in turn will hurt Republicans. Look at the resistance/protests at their offices.
6. Word is senators left his lunch event complaining that he is creating the very dissension and gridlock he rants about.
7. Which in turn increases his blunders, usually exacerbated by erratic tweets.
2. Which brings us to the fact Republicans would not let women in the room to create the bill.
3. Done in secret, by aides and staffers....barring women. The women shut out of the process voted against it.
4. Closed off, fixed--and exclusionary. McConnell's mistake.
5. The president's governing style reveals weaknesses and creates endless self-inflicted blunders. That in turn will hurt Republicans. Look at the resistance/protests at their offices.
6. Word is senators left his lunch event complaining that he is creating the very dissension and gridlock he rants about.
7. Which in turn increases his blunders, usually exacerbated by erratic tweets.
9
The GOP is setting up a slow-mo genocide of the aging. Slo-mo b/c they don't want to crash the economy/spook the workforce.
The GOP wants millions of us to die asap, particularly mid-/late-era Boomers/early Gen-X'ers. If GOP can kill us if in mass numbers by denying us access to health care, they get a multi-faceted win:
1) We won't be around to collect Social Security & Medicare, which we have so earned, and what's left of defined-benefit retirement plans/pensions, so they can steal billions from us for their oligarch masters, & they'll save billions in health care costs by refusing us care so we die before we cost the system.
2) We're the last of the American middle class. We're the last of average Americans to own property, build wealth, & savings. We're the last generation able to leave something to our kids. & the GOP & their corporate masters just can't stand it. They want it all - they want ALL the wealth & they want to kill any cultural perception that anyone but the tiny 1% minority deserve & can possess wealth.
3) They want us dead because we're the last pre-Reagan educated Americans. We're the last exposed to social justice & equity as normative. We're the last exposed to civil right's attainment as a positive. They want hard, solid lines of 'us and them' & the 'other'. They want us to hate each other violently, setting up a norm of extrajudicial violence by law enforcement & vigilantism.
They want us dead b/c we know they're thieves, liars, & brutalists.
The GOP wants millions of us to die asap, particularly mid-/late-era Boomers/early Gen-X'ers. If GOP can kill us if in mass numbers by denying us access to health care, they get a multi-faceted win:
1) We won't be around to collect Social Security & Medicare, which we have so earned, and what's left of defined-benefit retirement plans/pensions, so they can steal billions from us for their oligarch masters, & they'll save billions in health care costs by refusing us care so we die before we cost the system.
2) We're the last of the American middle class. We're the last of average Americans to own property, build wealth, & savings. We're the last generation able to leave something to our kids. & the GOP & their corporate masters just can't stand it. They want it all - they want ALL the wealth & they want to kill any cultural perception that anyone but the tiny 1% minority deserve & can possess wealth.
3) They want us dead because we're the last pre-Reagan educated Americans. We're the last exposed to social justice & equity as normative. We're the last exposed to civil right's attainment as a positive. They want hard, solid lines of 'us and them' & the 'other'. They want us to hate each other violently, setting up a norm of extrajudicial violence by law enforcement & vigilantism.
They want us dead b/c we know they're thieves, liars, & brutalists.
12
Although baldly obvious before this recent push, it is beyond a shadow of a doubt that all Donald Trump is interested in is reversing President Obama's legacy. He is working at odds with (what is ostensibly) his own party with a single minded focus and Americans are at the bottom of his list of concerns.
13
Has there ever been two politicians on the receiving end of mindless high praise as `the master tactician' Mitch McConnell and `the policy wonk' Paul Ryan' who have accomplished so little? I think not.
18
Assuming Donald Trump privately ran his businesses the way he's publicly run the first 6 months of his Presidency I'm starting to understand how he claimed $900 million in losses on the few fragments of his Federal Income Tax released to the Public.
19
At least there are 3 Republican Senator's who consider the well being and health of their constituents before their parties attempt to leave over 20 million people without health care. The women of the Senate came to the rescue and now they must hold firm against the threats and arm twisting of their leadership and colleagues. God bless them all.
15
Politically, I wonder if some of the senators and governors named in this article were still nursing pain from the Republican primaries last year. Also, Mitch McConnell cannot assume that all his Republican senators will fall in line and obediently vote the way he wants. Can we expect this outcome to happen again with the next policy reform? So much for Trump making the art of the deal and McConnell being a master tactician.
7
The whole debate around healthcare has devolved into partisan brinksmanship and ideological extortion. This is not governance. Nor is it anything approaching the statesmanship that the American people expect and deserve from their elected representatives. It will be high time for some major house cleaning in 475 days. May Paul Ryan and the other 216 supporters of H.R. 1628 be the first to go, followed shortly thereafter by McConnell and the putative Master of the Deal.
9
"Now what Mr. Trump once described as 'an easy' process appears destined to stall his policy agenda, and has damaged his diminished standing on Capitol Hill."
Calling the process "easy" again shows his utter lack of understanding of this highly complex issue. Also, what "standing" does Trump have that remains to be "diminished"?
None, in my estimation...and I'm a long-time Republican.
Calling the process "easy" again shows his utter lack of understanding of this highly complex issue. Also, what "standing" does Trump have that remains to be "diminished"?
None, in my estimation...and I'm a long-time Republican.
11
The one thing that distinguished Trump from the Fascist dictators of the 1930's was the lack of a unified and disciplined party apparatus behind him. With the brutal threat he made to humiliate Dean Heller it is clear that Trump is no demanding the same blind loyalty of all GOP legislators that he was demanding of Comey. In addition he is threatening rallies that would press his party to stand in lockstep behind him. I think that on this issue this will back fire but the very attempt is breathtaking. It can happen here, it is.
14
BREAKING NEWS: the CBO has just announced that the GOP's latest "plan" would drop 32,000,000 people from healthcare coverage. That's just a little more than half the number who voted for Trump. If McConnell and Ryan try a little harder, I'm sure they can throw many more millions under the bus. A little advice to them since they seem to need help: When you find yourself in a hole, stop digging. Oh, and you might consider consulting the American people, including Democrats. In case you haven't notice, the American people think you are abominable.
16
The GOP being attacked by its own President is basically the Republicans finally being forced to lie in the bed they've been making for at least a decade. They just acted as obstructionists refusing to govern and never really stood for something, so their base was ripe to fall for anything. That 'anything' was the campaign bluster of President Smeagol, which was built of lies and empty promises made on false pretenses and wrong assumptions. Now we all suffer, but, while it's a small comfort, at least I get to enjoy the GOP twisting in the wind while their individual political careers are threatened by one of their own. Smeagol may not be your "typical Republican," but no matter - the GOP owns every single thing he says and does.
11
A president generally hits the circuit and tries to sell the public on legislation which he wants to have passed. He also works closely with the Congress. Apparently, Trump did neither and is now blaming everybody democrat and republican yet he tweeted that he will take accept no blame.
Our President is a lazy and petulant child lashing out because he didn't get what he wanted. One has to wonder how he built his billion dollar business in the first place.
Our President is a lazy and petulant child lashing out because he didn't get what he wanted. One has to wonder how he built his billion dollar business in the first place.
10
I just read in a another NYT article that today Trump said that he wants to revive the Senate health care bill again. How out of touch is this guy? He changes White House policy literally from hour to hour. I still don't understand why he still has such strong support here in the heartland.
15
Not one reporter asks the question that matters of those that must be asked.
Our nation is lacking leadership no matter where we look.
Health care is simple and it is complex.
We have the best and some of the worst.
The coverage is as bad as it gets.
Our nation is lacking leadership no matter where we look.
Health care is simple and it is complex.
We have the best and some of the worst.
The coverage is as bad as it gets.
2
It's appalling that Trump complains about Rand Paul speaking on talk shows while Trump feels that his own habit of Tweeting is unobjectionable.
18
First, the GOP Senators wanted to eliminate healthcare for 22 million people. Now, they want to do the same for all 32 million on Obamacare. Does McConnell know what he's doing?
9
Obamacare isn't that bad in the short run. It uses taxes on rich people to expand Medicaid for people who can't meaningfully buy insurance. It also uses taxes on rich people to provide some financial supports to people to make commercial insurance affordable (while, sort of) in exchanges. It doesn't do much anything to reform the overall health system, but neither does SenateCare. Pure free market is crazy for health insurance because so much costs are focused on the sick people or the older people.
7
Why can't the NYT report reactions to the health care conflict underway in more positive terms? Why not report the debate emerging among different sectors of the Democratic Party as well? Why reduce coverage to the conflict in the Republican Party to the health care bill? While this is happening,what is happening among Democrats? No word of Al Gore's recent support of single payers. He said that the private sector has proved itself incapable of addressing the health care crisis. It is time to move to a single payers. Warren, Sanders and others are using this juncture to move the single payer's alternative to the table in the discussions of Americans. The NYT continues to be deaf to this important sector of society. This is not fair and full coverage. I'm truly truly disappointed. The paper solicits the sponsorship of educators in expanding its readership. I cannot in good faith recommend it to students given its ever increasing show of partisanship.
4
The tea party republicans are the democrats best friend. If they were willing to compromise, they would be able to rollback important parts of the ACA. By holding out for unattainable goals, they (the tea party guys) get nothing.
2
How many millions of trump's minions will lose health care if the ACA is repealed without a replacement? How many of them will continue to support him anyway?
10
Medicaid versus an $800 billion transfer for the 1% - not a Health Care Bill by any stretch of the imagination. They finally got caught out.
13
Not sure what Trump did other than bluster and contradict himself.
Obviously he lied on the campaign trail when he said he had a plan. He lied as President when he said repeal and replace would happen simultaneously.
He lied when he said everyone would have coverage with low premiums.
And his advisor Steve Bannon did promise chaos and shaking things up and is delivering on that promise. Unfortunately millions will suffer the consequences.
Obviously he lied on the campaign trail when he said he had a plan. He lied as President when he said repeal and replace would happen simultaneously.
He lied when he said everyone would have coverage with low premiums.
And his advisor Steve Bannon did promise chaos and shaking things up and is delivering on that promise. Unfortunately millions will suffer the consequences.
16
This is how it works. Trump is a puppet for Putin and the GOP Congress is a puppet of Trump. Thus by proxy, Putin is our real President. Thus, when the Puppet Master Putin pulls on his puppet strings, Trump faithfully performs as Putin wishes. Then Trump attempts to be a puppet master too by pulling on his GOP puppet strings in Congress, threatening them into submission. Again, when you look at the whole scheme of things, the Grand Puppet Master in Moscow really runs our government, thanks to the spineless puppet in the WH.
10
Senators, please ask President Trump to explain ANYTHING about the health care bill that he is blustering about. He has already done a 180 from his campaign promise on Medicaid. He knows nothing about improving health care and is simply fishing around for a new campaign slogan. Let's see how many golf dates and trips to Mar-a-Lago Trump gives up in August as he is asking you to work through your recess.
33
Trump does not go to Mar-a-Lago (in Florida) in the summer. He goes to one of his golf clubs in New Jersey. The ghosts of successful, ethical presidents haunt the White House too much to make it a comfortable residence for Trump. And the ghosts of those presidents who failed the US give him nightmares about his afterlife which prevent him from sleeping.
4
Republicans, in your GOPcare bill, why are you giving huge tax breaks to people who don't need them and why are you trying to dismantle Medicaid, an entitlement that we have had for over 50 years?
26
Let's wait and see how many days he spends at the WH talking people around , or will he just take some 'well deserved' time golfing with his order to 'fix it' being enough get it done. Their (HIS) healthcare plan is shambolic, no matter how much lipstick you put on a pig it's still a pig. At least this is all delaying the next phase of Trumpism and the mighty Tax reforms....
13
Donald Trump has delivered...the biggest failed presidency in history in record time.
He can't do the job because he never understood or even wanted the job. He just wanted the perks...it's how he has lived his life. He has never, ever, created anything of value (including his children, who might have had a chance up to the age of two). He has debased the United States brand in the world for at least a generation, trashed international progress with respect to climate change, world trade and international security in just six months and he doesn't get it!
The health care effort failed because it was ill-conceived, fundamentally malicious, counter to the national interest and because the great deal maker fumbled the most basic mandate of a party leader...to provide vision and direction.
Let's play "Hail to the Chief" for Donald the Dud.
He can't do the job because he never understood or even wanted the job. He just wanted the perks...it's how he has lived his life. He has never, ever, created anything of value (including his children, who might have had a chance up to the age of two). He has debased the United States brand in the world for at least a generation, trashed international progress with respect to climate change, world trade and international security in just six months and he doesn't get it!
The health care effort failed because it was ill-conceived, fundamentally malicious, counter to the national interest and because the great deal maker fumbled the most basic mandate of a party leader...to provide vision and direction.
Let's play "Hail to the Chief" for Donald the Dud.
35
Terrible CBO score. Will GOP press ahead to kill fellow Americans?
20
Only if they can still have their vakay.
2
Totally dishonest Trump continues to incite his own troops for actions he did nothing to help. The proposed Republican bill is a toxic-waste dump on the poor and middle class and Trump continues to say it will be so "terrific". He is an unmitigated liar, con artist, and the biggest loser of anyone in politics. I an frankly surprised that no one didn't walk out of his luncheon. When are the Republicans going to help and not harm their constituents?
13
Trump spent little to no time campaigning for this plan, he just wanted to brag about a win. The Republicans won the White House, the Senate and the House so to blame the Democrats for being obstructionists for this sham of healthcare bill rings a little hollow.
14
Words fail. Trump and the GOP need to " fulfill" a promise to their voters an have a "win," Do they realize they are playing with people's lives? I am so ashamed of my country now. We have Trump bumbling around on the world stage, insulting allies and coseying up to dictators and, with this debacle, willing to sacrifice people for political gain.
24
Another article is currently reporting that Trump met with Senate Republicans over lunch and is not pressing them to revive and pass the bill that the vast majority of the country rejects. He is all over the place, squirming because he can feel the blowback he is going to suffer.
And in that lunch Trump also reportedly alluded to several conservatives who came out against the measure Monday night, saying he had been “surprised” because the senators were “my friends.”
Friends? Are you kidding? Total rube. These are professional politicians with thinking brains, who will do what they need to to survive politically.
And in that lunch Trump also reportedly alluded to several conservatives who came out against the measure Monday night, saying he had been “surprised” because the senators were “my friends.”
Friends? Are you kidding? Total rube. These are professional politicians with thinking brains, who will do what they need to to survive politically.
17
I found that "friend" comment weird myself. Especially when he added that they may not be friends much longer. Is that the equivalent of "I am taking the ball and going home?"
3
Muller and his team need to speed their work up pronto
20
Well, it looks like a war of attrition is brewing in D.C. The GOP can't go home for recess until it puts a repeal and replace bill on Don's desk.
To quote an absolutely brilliant lyric from "Hamilton" -- "Winning is easy. It's governing that's hard." You wanted to be the party in power -- own it.
To quote an absolutely brilliant lyric from "Hamilton" -- "Winning is easy. It's governing that's hard." You wanted to be the party in power -- own it.
11
How spineless do you have to be to care what Trump thinks? He insists on being uninformed or engaged in misinformation. Anyone nieve enough to listen to him shouldn't be representing anyone.
10
Don't let yourself get cynical. But Trump only wants a win. He's clueless on the bill. Senators said so.
This is a version of Orwell's 1984. There, people became mindlessly submissive. But not us.
Be alert he isn't doing a dang thing about election related security measures. His Homeland Security Dept. has to operate in a zone where he disavows Russian interference in the 2016 election.
But in the states, their secretaries of state, approved an updated resolution reaffirming “their commitment to strengthening election cyber-security and processes.”
You should also be aware Trump’s budget creates yet a deeper hole: $3.7 trillion over the next 10 years. He made a mistake in math.
This is a version of Orwell's 1984. There, people became mindlessly submissive. But not us.
Be alert he isn't doing a dang thing about election related security measures. His Homeland Security Dept. has to operate in a zone where he disavows Russian interference in the 2016 election.
But in the states, their secretaries of state, approved an updated resolution reaffirming “their commitment to strengthening election cyber-security and processes.”
You should also be aware Trump’s budget creates yet a deeper hole: $3.7 trillion over the next 10 years. He made a mistake in math.
8
The update appears to be: (1) no bi-level talks with democrats, (2) no leaving Washington until there is a bill the president can sign, and (3) senators who oppose the mandate of the president will be punished. Last time a president was this linear was when LBJ was ramming legislation through congress. Wonder if Putin is impressed?
10
But Johnson was passing the Civil Rights Act and Medicare. Trump's passing his version of death/behind-door-number four.
9
The Healthcare bill failed because We, The People, did not want it! Folks rose up by the thousands to confront their senators, and were tremendously involved in the democratic process. So blaming the GOP divisions and infighting is only part of the story. At a pathetic 17% approval, this bill was a stinker from the get go. Ultimately, a number senators listened to their constituents and the incredible number of personal stories they shared about the positive impact of the ACA. Heller, Collins, Murkowski knew this bill would have a horrible impact on the citizens of their States and since they want to be reelected, the voices of the voters in their States mattered as they should. Not even Trump the deal maker can promise reelection success! The defeat of this bill (which belongs on the ash heap of history) was a great day for democracy!
16
And I find that troubling. The bill has a 17% approval rate from the people and yet at least 47 senators was going to vote Yes on it? That's not representing the people.
9
Did 'We, the People' vote for Trump?
2
President Trump --
During your campaign, your message, very loud and clear, was that you were going to give the American people, ALL American people, health care legislation that was better and cheaper than what was provided via the Affordable Care Act. So why now would you want the push through legislation that is so wildly unpopular - by the medical community, by the insurance community, by the disabled, by seniors, by women, and by a very substantial majority of Americans?
Any meaningful solution to provide what you have promised requires bipartisan support. So while you are in a bullying mode, why don't you start by bullying Mitch McConnell into opening the debate to the public, to those with expertise, to women, to the disabled, to seniors and to people of color?
During your campaign, your message, very loud and clear, was that you were going to give the American people, ALL American people, health care legislation that was better and cheaper than what was provided via the Affordable Care Act. So why now would you want the push through legislation that is so wildly unpopular - by the medical community, by the insurance community, by the disabled, by seniors, by women, and by a very substantial majority of Americans?
Any meaningful solution to provide what you have promised requires bipartisan support. So while you are in a bullying mode, why don't you start by bullying Mitch McConnell into opening the debate to the public, to those with expertise, to women, to the disabled, to seniors and to people of color?
19
You mean he LIED to us? There was no beautiful plan? If he lied then to get our vote why would he tell us the truth about anything now?
8
Has anyone heard anyone from the news media ask anyone in the Senate why they don't consider "Medicare for all?" I haven't.
And if not, it seems the news media has failed on this issue.
And if not, it seems the news media has failed on this issue.
14
31 of 50 states chose Medicaid expansion under the ACA. If it was worthwhile, then by now, there should be definitive data showing better health outcomes in those states compared to the 19 that chose not to expans Medicaid. It would be easy to prove, since the ACA requires electronic medical records.
Nobody has shown that, leaving just a theoretic and emotional reason to expand Medicaid enrollment. Nobody wants to be "inhumane", or put "people's lives at risk". Just prove that Medicaid expansion is improving our nation's health.
Nobody has shown that, leaving just a theoretic and emotional reason to expand Medicaid enrollment. Nobody wants to be "inhumane", or put "people's lives at risk". Just prove that Medicaid expansion is improving our nation's health.
3
You're kidding, right? Let's try a quick analogy: My sister has smoked for over 40 years. Do you think that if she stops smoking today, her risk of lung cancer will drop to that of a non-smoker in 3-5 years? Do you think that people who have been unable to obtain health care for decades will be as healthy after 3-5 years of getting it as those who've been getting appropriate care all along? Really?
I have yet to hear anyone who knows anything about the issue make the ridiculous claim that you're making.
I have yet to hear anyone who knows anything about the issue make the ridiculous claim that you're making.
2
I was hoping for some positive forward movement on health insurance for the self-employed (like myself), but alas we are left with the status quo. With the number of 1099 contractors increasing, particularly those who work for large corporations (who really are W2 employees, but that's another matter entirely), we've all now been stranded again with Exchange Plans. I hear that we are a small segment purchasing plans on the Exchange (not sure if I believe that). However, why can't we all go into a group pool together and negotiate? How come we can't pay our premiums using pre-tax dollars like W2 employees can? How come there is no Medicare buy in for those age 50 , or a Medicaid buy in for those under 50? This would be helpful for many, however, I would never support massive cuts to Medicaid. We do have single payor healthcare in the US, it's called Medicaid and Medicare. The dance now is, who and how fast will citizens be allowed into these programs, and under what conditions? I don't buy the argument that single payor will ruin the US healthcare system. For example, approximately 30% of U.K. Citizens hold private, commercial insurance plans. Medicaid is currently run by the same managed care companies who are in the Exchange in many states. I think this entire "debate" over healthcare is a straw man argument. We all need it, how are we going to get it, and what's fair?
7
Very simple solution: give all Americans access to the same healthcare as Congress.
36
Regarding the collapse of the G.O.P Health Bill, this is what happens when small hands take on big projects.
21
Americans want affordable healthcare as a right. The ACA is more popular than the Conservative movement perceives. It needs tweaking. There is strong consensus to fix certain problems with the law. Responsible legislators should enact a bipartisan fix to the ACA. Trump repudiated the conservatives in his campaign yet rides that horse through the mud. Legislators, ignore the donors, put your ears to the ground. Stop wasting taxpayer money propping up the circus tent.
17
Donald Trump can't govern because he doesn't know how and has no interest in it. His interest is in playing the PR role and building the family business. Congress better get used to it.
27
The republicans could not come up with a replacement to ACA because it already is the best healthcare plan any republican could create.
14
Public media forum is for all (senators, congressmen, public and the President) to speak their opinions not only President's. Why does the President complain if one senator R. Paul goes to the TV to air his version of health care opinion? It is also futile to seek help from democrats because Mr. Trump is having fist or personal fight with them not political fight.
4
For someone who's presidency has been defined by failure, Trump still cannot understand that he is the problem. He started with 'who knew how complicated healthcare was', and now concludes 'let Obamacare fail'. Not only does that conclusion abandon the American public, it sets fire to the insurance industry.
Besides obstruction of justice, Trump should be tried for abandoning the sworn constitutional responsibilities to protect and defend. A selfish lout was elected president of these United States. God save America.
Besides obstruction of justice, Trump should be tried for abandoning the sworn constitutional responsibilities to protect and defend. A selfish lout was elected president of these United States. God save America.
16
Assuming that we're all strong enough, I hope everyone witnessed loud President Trump on television today, accusing President Obama of being a deliberate liar. So much for respect for the office Trump holds. He is obviously in a tantrum over the defeat of Trumpcare. Trump has no self-control. He is incapable of suppressing his inner thug and oaf. He damages our nation terribly in our own eyes and the eyes of the world. If he were even half the man he should be, Trump would apologize to President Obama. Don't hold your breath.
22
As a progressive I am moved to ask if this clear inability of the conservatives to produce a coherent national policy for healthcare, shouldn't --at long last-- be the occasion for Democrats to acknowledge that the ACA isn't such a perfect solution either. Isn't ACA such a mish-mash of poor political compromises that it would be better to undertake a re-think from the ground up? Reflecting on what we have learned from the chaos of the last seven years, two ideas (at least) should be on the table:
#1: It is long passed the time to push the commercial insurance industry out of its position of controlling the ground rules for paying for healthcare. They have failed miserably, viewed from a societal vantage point, and should be reduced to a niche, specialty option.
#2: Healthcare cannot be a 'one-size-fits-all' proposition in a country as hopelessly divided as the United States. As it is, a handful of goober states holds the bi-coastal states containing a plurality of the population from adopting progressive, inclusive rules that make sense for a high-growth post-industrial economy. Let similarly situated states group together to formulate the best solution for their population. We simply can't save people who are unwilling to ever trust the proposition that government can be an efficient and effective way to manage social services.
#1: It is long passed the time to push the commercial insurance industry out of its position of controlling the ground rules for paying for healthcare. They have failed miserably, viewed from a societal vantage point, and should be reduced to a niche, specialty option.
#2: Healthcare cannot be a 'one-size-fits-all' proposition in a country as hopelessly divided as the United States. As it is, a handful of goober states holds the bi-coastal states containing a plurality of the population from adopting progressive, inclusive rules that make sense for a high-growth post-industrial economy. Let similarly situated states group together to formulate the best solution for their population. We simply can't save people who are unwilling to ever trust the proposition that government can be an efficient and effective way to manage social services.
7
He is fed-up?! Tough ! It's our lives he has been decimating since he started this farce of destroying our country! I hope he gets so fed- up he quits and takes all his oligarchs with him. And that includes his pretend American republican congress. Go to Russia you all seem to worship Putin, you have no problem hiding your heads in the sand while he and his people infiltrate our country. I just can't wait to see what he does to your lives when they take over. Rights? you have no rights but what I give you! Days vi Dana!
13
Listening to Trump this afternoon, as he railed against the Republicans and Democrats who are against the GOP (secret) healthcare bill, I am convinced that it's all about chalking up a "win" for himself and not about actually delivering on the real important parts of his campaign promise. Those key details: Don't touch Medicare/Medicaid, Social Security, and people will get great/more healthcare for LESS. He was ranting about Obama "lying and saying that you can keep your doctor", etc. He apparently doesn't know what is in the GOP bill. McConnell is just pushing forward in hopes of wearing down the 'no votes' with threats of their losing elections. None of this is focused on what the most vulnerable voters really need. It's disgusting and it's rotten governing. I'm sick of Trump's idiot propaganda and ignorance of the issues. Now it's voter registration he's going to work on?! We're being ruled by a mentally unstable narcissist.
15
Geez, I remember once before when McConnell was declaring victory on this issue, that the youngish blonde woman who walks along with had this really nice beautiful smile on her face, looking right at the camera.
Now everybody looks like they were in the supermarket and mom wouldn't give them a cookie until they got into the car, and now they are all in a funk.
This is the same Mitch McConnell who said that "the people deserve to have a say in the next supreme court justice", when the people did have a say. They voted for Barack Obama for a second term of 4 years, not 3 or 3 and a few months.
It is satisfying when a complete con artist like McConnell loses. It makes you temporarily believe that there is some justice in the world, even though their too often isn't - like the nomination of the last supreme court justice going to Trump, because McConnell stole it from Obama.
Now everybody looks like they were in the supermarket and mom wouldn't give them a cookie until they got into the car, and now they are all in a funk.
This is the same Mitch McConnell who said that "the people deserve to have a say in the next supreme court justice", when the people did have a say. They voted for Barack Obama for a second term of 4 years, not 3 or 3 and a few months.
It is satisfying when a complete con artist like McConnell loses. It makes you temporarily believe that there is some justice in the world, even though their too often isn't - like the nomination of the last supreme court justice going to Trump, because McConnell stole it from Obama.
22
"It is one thing to vote no, Mr. Trump told the group, according to one of the guests. It is another, the president said, to go on all of the Sunday shows and complain about it."
That's pretty rich coming from Trump as he's the biggest public complainer there is. All he does is complain.
That's pretty rich coming from Trump as he's the biggest public complainer there is. All he does is complain.
28
Once again, Mr. Trump demonstrates his complete and total misunderstanding of what being President means. First of all, he takes no interest in the work required to convince the Congress that the changes are necessary and why (in this case, he had little ammunition but, nonetheless, he did nothing to help). He stands on the sidelines when his help is needed and then, when the bill fails, he criticizes the Congress that he was unwilling to help for failing to come through. Classic for a spoiled rich kid who has never been honest, and has never had the intelligence or endurance to do any of the tough work himself, because he could always fall back on the fortune that his Daddy left him. At this point in his life, there is little hope that he will ever figure out that goals are best achieved by hard work.
13
Having failed to repeal and replace Obamacare, trump andnow they want to let the ACA die due to covert executive warfare. Since when did spite become a governing principle?
13
Inauguration Day, 2017
23
Showcasing the great, magnificent, superior, adjective, adjective, adjective, leadership of Trump, the one and only thing that galvanized the GOP for eight straight years cant even get enough votes within the party to pass.
Looks like it's time for yet another trip to Mar A Largo for some R/R.
Looks like it's time for yet another trip to Mar A Largo for some R/R.
6
Oh my. Mr. Trump is fed up?
He's upset that some...nobody has taken to the media to express an opinion?
Who would do such a thing?
Certainly nobody who deserves to be taken seriously in the halls of American government.
He's upset that some...nobody has taken to the media to express an opinion?
Who would do such a thing?
Certainly nobody who deserves to be taken seriously in the halls of American government.
2
News flash for the (alleged) author of "The Art of the Deal:" there's nothing even remotely artful about throwing a temper tantrum, which is 90% of what he's been doing since he took office.
This isn't deal-making. It's just straight-up childishness.
This isn't deal-making. It's just straight-up childishness.
16
Watching Trump interact with actual legislators as if he has a clue makes the whole process seem like theatre of the absurd, much like taking him seriously as the leader of the free world. It's like we're all being pranked.
18
Putting forth a bill (1) knowing it would result in millions losing their healthcare, (2) knowing that patient groups, medical professional groups and even insurance companies would outright reject it, (3) knowing that the plan would earn a horrific CBO score, and then (4) ram it through without hearings (5) spearheaded by an all male philosophically lopsided committee: Mean, shameless, brazen, tone-deaf, arrogant and stupid. Leader McConnell is looking more like Trump every day. Good luck with taxes, infrastructure, and building that ridiculous wall!
16
Since Trump became President it has been like 'Ali Baba and his 40 or so Republican thieves'
9
This is what you voted for America. Don't get too sick of winning now.
15
And now comes the lunch-time pull the rabbit-out-of-the-hat trick. Will be interesting to see who Trump can bully into doing the wrong thing.
10
Ha. Ha. Ha. Trump has just told Republicans they can't leave town on vacation until they solve this.
Will he change his weekend plans, at last, and actually do some work?
Will he change his weekend plans, at last, and actually do some work?
14
He'll Skype them from the golf course.
4
How about we get their health care coverage; and they suspend theirs for two years. And, we the people, will come up with something equally lame as their proposals for the rest of us?
13
In this case failure is a good thing since the Republican Congress, after seven years of trying to convince the American public how bad the ACA is, have no viable alternative to offer. All those Trump voters who were told what a "great " alternative Trump and the Republicans were going to put in place have been scammed by hucksters .
13
The Peter Principle seems especially relevant when considering the current GOP-led Congress and White House.
I never thought I'd be glad for incompetence, but I'll take being a laughingstock for a few years if it saves us from complete ruin.
I never thought I'd be glad for incompetence, but I'll take being a laughingstock for a few years if it saves us from complete ruin.
10
How can a president care so little for so many that he would only care about a "win" but not the welfare of Americans. Just because he is under the delusion that only democratic voters would be harmed by the loss of the ACA, countless Trumpers are going to suffer also. It just proves the total ineptitude of this man and how unqualified he is to hold local office, let alone the leader of what was the free world.
9
If trump is under the delusion that only democratic voters would be harmed by the loss of the ACA than he is stupider than we thought. Seriously, I don't think he UNDERSTANDS much of anything. There is no "there" THERE. Nothing cooking upstairs.
5
Their entire opposition to the ACA was based on lies, and their proposed repeal was nothing more than a reduction in Medicaid spending and a lowering of taxes.
How can anything be done if you don't start with facts, and your objective is not to help people - other than those called upon to pay a little extra to help ensure people have access to healthcare?
How can anything be done if you don't start with facts, and your objective is not to help people - other than those called upon to pay a little extra to help ensure people have access to healthcare?
12
Just wait until Trump discovers the advantages of single payer "Medicare for All". When he finds out that he could be the "Nixon to China" breakthrough that could deliver better quality medical care for half the cost and cover EVERYONE in the process it could reform the entire health insurance monopoly. It would be truly bipartisan. Democrats would get Medicare for All single payer solution and Conservatives would get this troublesome issue off their backs at a dramatic cost savings. And Americans would get world class health care, without preconditions and without having to worry about who's covered and who's not. This fake (idiotic) president could become a bipartisan sensation. Alas, it'll never happen!!!
9
We all know now that the health care reform was mostly a legislative way to pave the road for tax cuts without blowing a hole in the budget and Federal deficit. With about $2.6 trillion in offshore assets, Trump & Co. are anxious to bring it back at a 10% rate but could probably live with 15% as opposed to the current 35%. There is some horse-trading to be done here. Can the GOP work towards a one-time lower rate for one year but permit the offshore money to be taxed at a higher rate going forward, thus, striping out the incentive for companies to do this again? Isn't time the global multinational corporations stop escaping their tax obligations by merely changing the address of their corporate headquarters?
1
I don't really care if Trump is fed up. He doesn't deserve to president, he's unfit to be president, and it's questionable as to whether he's even in office legitimately to begin with.
As far as the GOP is concerned, they are unfit to govern as long as they prop up Trump.
As far as the GOP is concerned, they are unfit to govern as long as they prop up Trump.
11
They are unfit to govern whether they prop up trump, or not...unless they start whistling a different tune: They are not an aristocracy or a monarchy, and we, the people, are not their peasants, or their serfs. THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO REPRESENT US, NOT JUST THE VERY RICH. Let us see them start doing some representing instead of trying to make us very sick, very poor, and very dead.
3
Fed up? Really? If he actually was doing anything he might have the right. Too busy playing golf and taking out money. And the Russian money as well.
11
Donald Trump was irritated that one Republican senator opposed to the GOP's health care bill had the audacity to criticize it on a television program? This president wouldn't know the hypocrisy if it came after him with an axe.
9
This debacle moves us to the next stage: serious consideration of a national health care system which "expels the moneychangers from the temple"--the multiple leaches (doctors, for-profit hospitals, big pharma, some insurance companies) seeking to profit off our health care system, which is so dysfunctional and inefficient compared to every other First World nation, and so that we can provide reasonable care for our people without bankrupting Medicare, Medicaid, and the federal budget.
7
This ain't over folks! Eight years of obsessing about "Repeal and Replace" with 60+ bills passed at a cost of $82 million taxpayer dollars! The Republicans will not quietly continue to sabotage the ACA and it's supporters will dwindle through attrition - mainly by dying as the insurance marketplace becomes chaotic. Then, then, they will begin their new mantra...."We Told You So!" And they will expect Americans to come begging for "crumbs of healthcare." But they forget that those who actually work and build and grow their country - not just reap the benefits from that work - now understand the meaning of "Health Security" and they have come to understand what truly civilized, industrialized nations do for those millions who actually "make their country great!"
6
I don't consider myself naive; a bit too long in the tooth for that. But I never thought in a million years America would install a POTUS who is the enemy of the people. Yet, here it is. And a majority of Congress members are his loyal Storm Troopers.
Our nation is on the brink of something very dark and dangerous. Reasonable politicians in Congress, as well as State legislatures, need to carefully step back from the edge and seriously consider the vacuous character and dubious mental health of the man they have chosen to follow off the cliff. And taking the rest of us with them.
Our nation is on the brink of something very dark and dangerous. Reasonable politicians in Congress, as well as State legislatures, need to carefully step back from the edge and seriously consider the vacuous character and dubious mental health of the man they have chosen to follow off the cliff. And taking the rest of us with them.
11
The ACA is failing because the Republican Party wants it to fail. They are never going to admit it works because they lack the character to admit the policy they universally opposed written by a president they viscerally hated helped address the problem it was designed to solve. If Mitt Romney or John McCain had won the election and proposed the same law, Republicans today would be heralding the ACA as the greatest piece of legislation ever written by mankind.
6
It seems that the President's attitude towards the ACA is personal. It is consistent with his business attitude of being vindictive against those who oppose him. During the birther issue years ago, then President Obama not just responded to Mr. Trump's accusations, he humiliated him. Mr. Obama released his birth certificate soon after the U.S. Armed Forces defeated Osama Bin Laden adding credibility after a positive result on the war on terror. At that time, Mr. Trump's accusations died out and few took him seriously soon afterwards.
Mr. Trump is not one to let these things go. He seems now bent on destroying his predecessor's legacy at any cost making the American people pawns in a game that only he is playing. Mr. Trump's plan of replacing the ACA with a better alternative is not a bad plan per se but his alternatives of repealing it with no replacement or letting it fail are consistent with someone who has a personal agenda that ignores the needs of millions of Americans who may loose their health coverage.
Mr. Trump is not one to let these things go. He seems now bent on destroying his predecessor's legacy at any cost making the American people pawns in a game that only he is playing. Mr. Trump's plan of replacing the ACA with a better alternative is not a bad plan per se but his alternatives of repealing it with no replacement or letting it fail are consistent with someone who has a personal agenda that ignores the needs of millions of Americans who may loose their health coverage.
6
Remember the ACA was a Republican plan before Obama's name became associated with it. ACA WAS the bipartisan compromise between the two parties (one of whom compromised single payer). Now the rabid irrational right wing part of the Rebuplican party has taken over and we end up with propositions for ACTUAL death panels. But the panels are comprised of congress(mostly)men who are pushing for this catastrophic bill or even something worse. Obamacare was the compormise between two parties with different ideologies. What does it take for people on the right to get back to common sense and fairness? It is sad to be wistful for the likes of Mitt Romney.
5
If only Republicans focus on passing amendments to fixing the Obamacare, they would have served the country and themselves. President Obama left a poison pill 'care' in ACA. The human consciousness does not allow the removal of 'care'.
3
I'm all for working to improve Obamacare. It's the best hope we have for now. However, I do not understand why healthcare costs in this country are so obscenely high compared to costs in other countries. It must have to do with the power of the medical and pharmaceutical industries who do not want to give up their unrestricted and uncontrolled billing practices...and are not being forced to. To me that seems like the basic problem. And what needs to be the focus of a far sighted goal for this country. Why is so little said and so few actions taken to bring such obscene and baseless costs under control?
3
Susan, it is my belief that these BIG MONEY groups, like Pharma, Health Insurance, and some medical companies and some physician's groups pay off the politicians so that these "unrestricted and uncontrolled billing practices" can continue, unfettered. These bribes, kick backs, ill-gotten gains, or whatever we wish to call them, go on all the time. I also believe that these payments should be illegal, but apparently, this kind of corruption/graft is welcomed between our government representatives and BIG or DARK MONEY. I think that plenty IS SAID about it, (certainly not enough) but it is so ingrained in our governmental/corporate "collusion" if you will, that unless these nefarious, GREEDY practices are finally outlawed, there will be no actions taken to bring such obscene and baseless costs under control. This abuse will continue ad infinitum. As far as I am concerned it is criminal: The politicians take these payments (those who do, and not all of them do) in order to aid the corporations to rip us off, and to harm us! IS THIS HOW THEY REPRESENT THEIR CONSTITUENCIES????? Our representatives do not work for us because of these pay offs; rather they work for the wealthy corporations and donors who give them these payments. These payments should be declared as what they are: A means of enriching some politicians. and some rich corporations, and donors, at the expense of millions of Americans. I find it criminal. Oh, and corporations are NOT people.
1
The healthcare reform bill failed because legislators who for the last seven years talked about repealing Obamacare chickened out when the rubber finally met the road. They kowtowed to the special interests. They will pay a high price for their failure to step up to the plate. Hopefully those who balked and face reelection in 2018 will be voted out of office and replaced by individuals who are more akin to the president’s agenda. I read in the Washington Times today that polls indicate more interest among Republican than Democratic voters for the 2018 midterm elections. If so, that bodes well for America, as it will be unlikely the nation will slip back into the ways of the past. Now that’s progress.
2
If by "special interests" you mean sick people, I suppose you're right.
5
Wonder how many Independents are now interested in the midterm elections? Not sure how many will be voting for the GOP.
3
I agree. Let's can the lot of them. Trump too while we're at it. Talk about Deadwood.
2
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
Putting aside the falsehood of this introduction, phony ordination, and the self-serving opening of "We the People...", the ongoing high school play called "So-called President and the Malfunctioning Congress Play Government for a Day", has reached unimpressive numbers in shows and length of time on the Washington, D.C. equivalent of Broadway.
But the show goes on and the paying and ignored public is not invited to anything except back row seats and a once in a while comedy act by P. T. Trump.
When it comes to a tax plan to reduce the taxes of the 1%, the majority of Americans will once again feel the sting of a Republican-Conservative- Religious controlled government unconcerned by any need to "... promote the general Welfare..." as it calls on Americans to forget Justice, build walls, insure domestic Tranquility and die for the defence of the 1%.
Pictures continue to say more than 1,000 words. This picture says, "Wonder who will be voted out come the next election? So-called president Trump is safe."
“Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies.” (Groucho Marx).
Putting aside the falsehood of this introduction, phony ordination, and the self-serving opening of "We the People...", the ongoing high school play called "So-called President and the Malfunctioning Congress Play Government for a Day", has reached unimpressive numbers in shows and length of time on the Washington, D.C. equivalent of Broadway.
But the show goes on and the paying and ignored public is not invited to anything except back row seats and a once in a while comedy act by P. T. Trump.
When it comes to a tax plan to reduce the taxes of the 1%, the majority of Americans will once again feel the sting of a Republican-Conservative- Religious controlled government unconcerned by any need to "... promote the general Welfare..." as it calls on Americans to forget Justice, build walls, insure domestic Tranquility and die for the defence of the 1%.
Pictures continue to say more than 1,000 words. This picture says, "Wonder who will be voted out come the next election? So-called president Trump is safe."
“Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies.” (Groucho Marx).
2
If Trump wants to place blame for this Republican failure (over which most of us have breathed a profound sigh of relief), he should look in the mirror. Tweeting slogans doesn't get legislation passed (thank God!). His promises on the campaign trail were as empty as his head.
Now we'll have the spectacle of a Republican tax cut (but they don't have much room to maneuver), an attempt to cut Social Security and Medicare to balance the budget (say goodbye to the Florida delegation in the House), no infrastructure bill (because Trump won't be able to get that through either), and an attempt to raise the debt ceiling (which I predict will require the votes of Democrats because of the (anti-)"Freedom Caucus").
Mr. McConnell, let your colleagues go home for the August recess. They can't legislate their way out of a paper bag, and it's painful to watch.
Now we'll have the spectacle of a Republican tax cut (but they don't have much room to maneuver), an attempt to cut Social Security and Medicare to balance the budget (say goodbye to the Florida delegation in the House), no infrastructure bill (because Trump won't be able to get that through either), and an attempt to raise the debt ceiling (which I predict will require the votes of Democrats because of the (anti-)"Freedom Caucus").
Mr. McConnell, let your colleagues go home for the August recess. They can't legislate their way out of a paper bag, and it's painful to watch.
5
I can well understand why the President feels so exasperated.
I mean, it must be difficult to push through major reform of the healthcare system when you don't know the difference between Medicaid and Medicare.
I mean, it must be difficult to push through major reform of the healthcare system when you don't know the difference between Medicaid and Medicare.
11
I am sorry to be the bearer of sad triage information, but I have to tell you that preserving barely viable genomes to propagate another generation is out of the question in cost managed universal health plans.
2
The ACA evolved from Romneycare which itself emanated from the Heritage Foundation - the attempt to go to the right of it was a fool's errand .
Politicians are now claiming that to fix Obamacare, incentives are needed to sure up insurance companies involvement in marketplace exchanges.
But is that really the fix needed?
I think the goal of improving healthcare should include one or all three of:
1 - increased access
2 - either lower overall costs or lower per capita costs
3 - improved aggregate healthcare results
Out of the 35 OECD countries, the US has the most expensive system, both in total and per capita. At least 32 of the other OECD countries offer universal healthcare, so by definition the US has either the lowest coverage or is in the bottom ten percent. The US aggregate results are middling to near bottom on most indicators.
Removing insurance profits out of healthcare, controlling prices of pharmaceuticals, reducing superfluous hospital procedures (such as needless MRIs), and tort reforms to discourage ambulance chasing is likely to reduce overall healthcare costs by at least 20% while increasing access and results.
The side benefit of simplifying administration and obviating worker's compensation would accrue additional benefits to the economy.
Medicare for all.
Politicians are now claiming that to fix Obamacare, incentives are needed to sure up insurance companies involvement in marketplace exchanges.
But is that really the fix needed?
I think the goal of improving healthcare should include one or all three of:
1 - increased access
2 - either lower overall costs or lower per capita costs
3 - improved aggregate healthcare results
Out of the 35 OECD countries, the US has the most expensive system, both in total and per capita. At least 32 of the other OECD countries offer universal healthcare, so by definition the US has either the lowest coverage or is in the bottom ten percent. The US aggregate results are middling to near bottom on most indicators.
Removing insurance profits out of healthcare, controlling prices of pharmaceuticals, reducing superfluous hospital procedures (such as needless MRIs), and tort reforms to discourage ambulance chasing is likely to reduce overall healthcare costs by at least 20% while increasing access and results.
The side benefit of simplifying administration and obviating worker's compensation would accrue additional benefits to the economy.
Medicare for all.
7
This is far from over...let's start by agreeing on some basic objectives, such as:
1. Provide affordable quality insurance to all Americans
2. Reduce medical costs
3. Ensure long term stability
Vs. what the Repblicans just tried to push through:
-repeal Obamacare
-reduce costs for the most wealthy
-get a win
Congress first needs to agree on what they want to accomplish before talking strategy/tactics. This is an especially tall order given the Republicans can't even agree.
1. Provide affordable quality insurance to all Americans
2. Reduce medical costs
3. Ensure long term stability
Vs. what the Repblicans just tried to push through:
-repeal Obamacare
-reduce costs for the most wealthy
-get a win
Congress first needs to agree on what they want to accomplish before talking strategy/tactics. This is an especially tall order given the Republicans can't even agree.
7
Single payer care!
8
For those who are still struggling to define collusion, just wait until the GOP repeals the ACA. They keep trumpeting the gospel of a free and open market to create competition among the insurance companies which they claim will magically lower premiums. Regardless of the fact that in my 60 years on this earth I have never known an insurance company to lower premiums, if anyone believes these ginormous financial entities are going to be in a mad dash to offer the lowest premiums to the American people, they're dreaming. Don't forget: Whether or not there is an actual individual mandate to purchase health insurance, anyone who doesn't is playing (please pardon the expression) Russian roulette with their future.
4
As Ezra Klein noted in Vox, the Republican replacement effort failed because the Affordable Care Act (a/k/a Obamacare) is working.
Yes, the ACA has problems. As Klein points out, there are pockets of the country in which it is working poorly. Deductibles are too high, and premiums are volatile. And the Trump administration has worked hard to sabotage the insurance exchanges and drive insurers out of the marketplaces.
But focusing on the problems ignores the overwhelming reality: The ACA is popular, it's working, and it outperforms the Republican alternatives.
The ACA is not imploding or dying. It's not failing, terrible or a disaster as President Trump would have us think. The ACA is working.
Fix the problems - they are solvable - but don't repeal it just to satisfy a political promise from the past 7+ years and still running - that's like throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
If the ACA were truly as bad as Republicans say it is, it would be easier to replace. But every time Republicans offer up an actual replacement, it underperforms the ACA - their replacements are much worse.
As Klein concludes, "The Republican failure to craft an effective replacement for Obamacare isn’t an accident. It’s a function of the fact that Obamacare is largely working, and Republicans who spent years persuading themselves and their base it’s a catastrophic failure are now slamming into that reality."
Yes, the ACA has problems. As Klein points out, there are pockets of the country in which it is working poorly. Deductibles are too high, and premiums are volatile. And the Trump administration has worked hard to sabotage the insurance exchanges and drive insurers out of the marketplaces.
But focusing on the problems ignores the overwhelming reality: The ACA is popular, it's working, and it outperforms the Republican alternatives.
The ACA is not imploding or dying. It's not failing, terrible or a disaster as President Trump would have us think. The ACA is working.
Fix the problems - they are solvable - but don't repeal it just to satisfy a political promise from the past 7+ years and still running - that's like throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
If the ACA were truly as bad as Republicans say it is, it would be easier to replace. But every time Republicans offer up an actual replacement, it underperforms the ACA - their replacements are much worse.
As Klein concludes, "The Republican failure to craft an effective replacement for Obamacare isn’t an accident. It’s a function of the fact that Obamacare is largely working, and Republicans who spent years persuading themselves and their base it’s a catastrophic failure are now slamming into that reality."
34
In my opinion what the Senators should do is begin work on a way to bring the country to a single payer system within the next two years. They might start by opening their own coverage to all Americans with subsidies for those unable to afford the most modest plan.
22
Technically, all legislation is supposed to originate in Congress, not the Senate.
1
Senators are federal employees. They don't have single payer insurance.
Let them ALL work on it--Congress and the Senate. Congress doesn't seem to be able to legislate its' way out of a paper bag; maybe the Senate can help them. God knows, they need help, or let them simply resign.
2
Since the Republicans failed to deliver a health care plan, perhaps the Democrats should be invited to lunch at the White House to discuss a way forward, assuming this was to be a discussion rather than a lecture.
Not to mention, but since the GOP doesn't want to pay for the people's health care, why should the people foot the bill for their White House lunch, not once, but twice?
Not to mention, but since the GOP doesn't want to pay for the people's health care, why should the people foot the bill for their White House lunch, not once, but twice?
18
At this Wednesday White House meeting, they should begin with a discussion about public service. Government is NOT a zero sum game where there are winners and losers. It's about service.
26
They'll get primaried by the same nasty people who backed them when they primaried their predecessors.
NYT, just because you are fed-up with Trump, does not mean you can fake news) say Trump is fed-up.
1
They reported it because he invited them all to dinner and was yammering about Rand Paul was complaining about the bill on TV like he himself does.
Yammering and complaining = "fed up".
Yammering and complaining = "fed up".
5
Congress just passed a bill to allow permanent US residency to a sick baby from the UK so he can get medical treatment in the US. They don't seem to care about healthcare for US Citizens however. Such hypocrisy!
25
As much as we all wish Gods blessing on this little baby, I wish my elderly mother to be taken care of, and my family not to go without the medicine or treatments they need. We did what we are advised to do to live in this country. We all know what Trump was doing. Grandstanding as usual. He wouldn't know a day of work to save his soul. He is constantly doing opposite of what he says. Oh, I care for the poor children poisoned, don't let them in the country. Great health care for everyone, no healthcare for anyone. Who ever believes a word out his mouth. I'm only amazed he hasn't said anything inappropriate about 3 female senators who are not willing to go along with just repeal. I'm waiting, I know it will come. He's so predictable!
4
They have already sought to prohibit of all abortions based on results of prenatal testing here. This will blow the health care budget to the Moon.
2
Little Charlie is white and his parents raised $1.7 million for his care. Take away either of those elements, and there would be no vote for Charlie.
1
This whole debacle is a bloody minded attempt by the GOP to use their BRIEF time in power to repay their donors. The wishlist/cheat sheet/call it what you will is pretty short. Their donors don't want their money going anywhere but back into their own pockets. The gravy train is slowly grinding to a halt and in 2018 will stop completely. I'm just afraid of the collateral damage in the meantime.
8
Susan Collins knows finance and insurance. Mitch and boys should listen.
21
We have spies, saboteurs, malcontents, idiots, fools, creationist, mendacious mealy mouth turtles running the place into the ground. Stop the Madness!
14
"We will immediately repeal and replace ObamaCare - and nobody can do that like me. We will save $'s and have much better healthcare!"
“That begins with immediately repealing and replacing the disaster known as Obamacare…You’re going to have such great health care, at a tiny fraction of the cost—and it’s going to be so easy.”
Trump is asking the republican senators who is the idiot that said that?
“That begins with immediately repealing and replacing the disaster known as Obamacare…You’re going to have such great health care, at a tiny fraction of the cost—and it’s going to be so easy.”
Trump is asking the republican senators who is the idiot that said that?
23
Talk about a disconnect between "President" and "People" and u will realize the so-called mistake has failed to accept that he is a servant of the public good. He has no understanding nor concept of this and we failed to call him/her out on this and look what we have to pursue.
We have always struggled. Do you think there are not those who may 100K etc make?
This is not acceptable. Still we who are sinking and yet were holding up the ship of state are held to account for being a dreg on the ones who always cast us off.
Gift us to the GLORY LAND where those who have held the Satan's Hand will not be admitted.
We have always struggled. Do you think there are not those who may 100K etc make?
This is not acceptable. Still we who are sinking and yet were holding up the ship of state are held to account for being a dreg on the ones who always cast us off.
Gift us to the GLORY LAND where those who have held the Satan's Hand will not be admitted.
3
Poor little Donny T and his teeny tiny little attention span...
21
There is too much glee in the democratic camp.
The democrats are wasting the best years of their top asset, namely Trump.
Where is the democrat's leadership? What has everybody been doing?
I saw a poll the other day that showed that most Americans believed that the democrats don't stood for anything other than opposition to Trump. This is not the way to win elections.
The democrats should be busy drafting a plan to improve the ACA and start selling it to people.
They should also address their obvious weaknesses in the eyes of the electorate: their lack of a position on immigration and refugees that can gather public support from a majority of the country.
The democrats are wasting the best years of their top asset, namely Trump.
Where is the democrat's leadership? What has everybody been doing?
I saw a poll the other day that showed that most Americans believed that the democrats don't stood for anything other than opposition to Trump. This is not the way to win elections.
The democrats should be busy drafting a plan to improve the ACA and start selling it to people.
They should also address their obvious weaknesses in the eyes of the electorate: their lack of a position on immigration and refugees that can gather public support from a majority of the country.
8
The G.O.P. Wealthcare bill failed because there was no plan beyond shouting "Obamacare is bad!" for seven years. What Trump and the R-Cs need to understand is that - unlike in Trumpworld - desire doesn't equal a plan.
The Donald is so used to simply stating his wishes and having his sycophants scurry around making them true, that he thought that's all he had to do to replace the ACA. How dare anyone deny him what he wants! He will scrunch his eyes closed, and stomp his feet, and shout until he's red in the face until he gets his wish.
The image that I clearly get whenever he throws his temper tantrums is Rumpelstiltskin. My wish is that we could simply close the book of fairy tales on him.
The Donald is so used to simply stating his wishes and having his sycophants scurry around making them true, that he thought that's all he had to do to replace the ACA. How dare anyone deny him what he wants! He will scrunch his eyes closed, and stomp his feet, and shout until he's red in the face until he gets his wish.
The image that I clearly get whenever he throws his temper tantrums is Rumpelstiltskin. My wish is that we could simply close the book of fairy tales on him.
8
Despite eight years of GOP obstruction, Obama continues to skunk these bums even after leaving office. The gift that keeps on giving.
15
This is not news. This is a rehash of old stuff. What's happening with RussiaGate? Why is Trump holding secret meetings with Putin? Can Trump seriously not uphold the requirements of ACA? These are treacherous times that can potentially hurt Americans with this guy in charge and his amateur hour family and friends. There are ongoing opportunities for real reporting. We don't need old stories.
1
You need to watch RT for all the facts. How ridiculous is that?
1
Did you read the NYT today, not just one article? Front page story on the Russian conversations, though one might be confused since the large photo over that was of Mitch McConnell and a little crowd of Republican senators looking real unhappy. Plus, believe it or not, stories that did not involve Donald Trump at all!
2
I would have skipped the Trump dinner too. I'm sure Rand Paul is perfectly aware of the President's opinion of his conduct. Why waste a perfectly good evening listening to the complainer-in-chief whine about his current grievance? I don't agree with Paul's politics but you have to admit the man is a fast study. He recognizes there is nothing to gain from a close alliance with Donald Trump. Let Trump rage. Rand Paul isn't accountable to the President.
What is Trump going to do anyway? Tweet bash him? You might have noticed Republicans need 50 senators to pass anything. Alienating Rand Paul is a great way to permanently decrement the slender senate majority even further. Paul will likely benefit from the presidential abuse anyway. Your distance from the Trump White House appears highly correlated with long-term career success. If you value employment, stay away. Stay far away.
What is Trump going to do anyway? Tweet bash him? You might have noticed Republicans need 50 senators to pass anything. Alienating Rand Paul is a great way to permanently decrement the slender senate majority even further. Paul will likely benefit from the presidential abuse anyway. Your distance from the Trump White House appears highly correlated with long-term career success. If you value employment, stay away. Stay far away.
10
The bill failed for all of the right reasons -- it was evil, nasty, cruel, disgusting and criminal in its hatred of the public that isn't part of the 1%.
16
So a bunch of incoherent white men with a health care bill that is really not about health or care and full of cuts that benefit no one but their own egos went to Washington to repeal Obamacare for the 62nd or so time and it failed. Who knew denying reality could be so hard?
As for Trump, sitting on the sidelines and waiting to sign a bill you know nothing about and did nothing to craft, you're fed up? What did you expect when you're not participating in your job?
Truly, the gall of this crew is stupefying.
Let the professionals in and the Democrats and maybe some of the women who lives you tried to wreck and see what they come up with. Surely it would be an improvement and not DOA.
Better still, fix the parts of Obamacare that will improve it and your standing along with it.
As for Trump, sitting on the sidelines and waiting to sign a bill you know nothing about and did nothing to craft, you're fed up? What did you expect when you're not participating in your job?
Truly, the gall of this crew is stupefying.
Let the professionals in and the Democrats and maybe some of the women who lives you tried to wreck and see what they come up with. Surely it would be an improvement and not DOA.
Better still, fix the parts of Obamacare that will improve it and your standing along with it.
8
I doubt that President Trump knows what is in the Republican healthcare bill. If it can't be summarized in a tweet, he's not interested. He probably believes the lies, that the bill would lower premiums and cover everyone. He believes what he wants to hear. All he cares about is winning. The Republicans that meet with him must know all of this. Someone like Mitch McConnell uses Trump, but must shake his head in disbelief as he heads back to the Senate. He must think to himself: what a fool!
7
"Mr. Moran and Mr. Lee, two senators who were on the fence, issued statements saying they would not support it, a catastrophe for the White House."
You do realize that when Mr. Birther reads this sentence it will just make him as mad as the Mad Hatter?
Then why do you continue to provoke him? Look what he wants to do now. Force the senate to skip summer recess to give him his desired "win"!
This man is mentally challenged. You DO NOT provoke a mentally ill person. Just the facts, mam, just the facts.
You do realize that when Mr. Birther reads this sentence it will just make him as mad as the Mad Hatter?
Then why do you continue to provoke him? Look what he wants to do now. Force the senate to skip summer recess to give him his desired "win"!
This man is mentally challenged. You DO NOT provoke a mentally ill person. Just the facts, mam, just the facts.
5
Trump will not read it. He doesn't read.
2
The Dems need to push hard on improving the ACA. Ignore the GOP clown show in the Congress and appeal to We The People. I think they'd find more support than they think.
8
Trump is "fed up." LOL
Millions of us are "fed up" with this petty, boorish, hateful, very small excuse for a human being. I don't think he has a clue about how totally fed up we are with having him anywhere near the White House.
Millions of us are "fed up" with this petty, boorish, hateful, very small excuse for a human being. I don't think he has a clue about how totally fed up we are with having him anywhere near the White House.
12
If you paid attention to all of the contractors Trump cheated during the election cycle you would know he was not the skillful business who was a master of the 'Art of the Deal' but the manipulator who perfected the 'Art of the Steal.' Unless the Manipulator-in-Chief is conning someone out of something he simply doesn't have the right package (small hands aside) of skills to broker any important legislation.
9
Aww... the lifelong fraudster racketeer con-artist is “fed up”.
Sad!
: ) L
Sad!
: ) L
11
Trumps grandest talent - and it was a talent - was in figuring out how to convince private investors and banks that every one of his developments was going to be "Beautiful." { he did have experience with his father in learning first how to use political connections and public funding] . A goldmine. Then once they had committed so much money that they were faced with a lose lose proposition, when the returns weren't what was predicted, he "negotiated" terms which let him off the hook, because they had to choose the least harmful alternative for themselves - a partial loss now, kept under wraps, or total loss, with negative publicity, and no hope of any recovery. Than's the source of his charm.
He offered the GOP cover for their plans, and votes from the disenfranchised - at least until some of the disenfranchised realized they needed medical insurance.
He doesn't HAVE any negotiating or mediating skill; he can't even be bothered to figure out what the core issues are for different stakeholders.
I am hoping Senator Collins steps up to offer him a little womansplaining about health care. Maybe she could hold his hand while she does.
We are not out of the woods at all - not until we have some changes in the ACA or a full plan which addresses universal coverage and control of costs. And most of the GOP would rather diddle around than work for a national solution.
He offered the GOP cover for their plans, and votes from the disenfranchised - at least until some of the disenfranchised realized they needed medical insurance.
He doesn't HAVE any negotiating or mediating skill; he can't even be bothered to figure out what the core issues are for different stakeholders.
I am hoping Senator Collins steps up to offer him a little womansplaining about health care. Maybe she could hold his hand while she does.
We are not out of the woods at all - not until we have some changes in the ACA or a full plan which addresses universal coverage and control of costs. And most of the GOP would rather diddle around than work for a national solution.
6
Trump doesn't take defeats kindly. The republican law makers are akin to death-eaters from Harry Potter series; they will keep coming back until they have accomplished their goal.
Rejoice no more media, democrates and citizens of the US who stand to lose from repeal. Fight continues until 2018; hopefully senate will have democratic majority then.
Rejoice no more media, democrates and citizens of the US who stand to lose from repeal. Fight continues until 2018; hopefully senate will have democratic majority then.
3
Greed undermined the bill. The party of Ayn Rand are turning on themselves. Cases in point: Rand Paul setting himself up to be the Real Conservative in the 2020 presidential race. Or John Kasich trying to appear moderate (not!), again to gather votes for president. Mr. Trump is already a lame duck and everyone knows it.
3
To quote Trump, "it's amazing how complicated health insurance is."
5
And because their bill never made any sense to people who want to provide health care to all Americans or almost anyone else with a brain.
1
Seems to me, and millions of others, that "The Art of the Deal" was nowhere to be found in "the Art of the Repeal."
Leaders take ownership of defeats and look to improve; poseurs take umbrage, blame everyone else and cannot imagine they need to improve their game. The Big Con Job continues but is the base buying it? Seems they are wising up, however slowly that's happening.
Keep the sunshine pouring in, NYT, WaPo, CNN and MSNBC - it is the proverbial best disinfectant.
Leaders take ownership of defeats and look to improve; poseurs take umbrage, blame everyone else and cannot imagine they need to improve their game. The Big Con Job continues but is the base buying it? Seems they are wising up, however slowly that's happening.
Keep the sunshine pouring in, NYT, WaPo, CNN and MSNBC - it is the proverbial best disinfectant.
6
Obamacare was designed to buy votes for the Democrats. Secondly it was designed to fail in order to eliminate the private sector in favor of a totally government run healthcare system.
Obama must have been laughing when they named it the affordable care act. As we can see no matter how bad something is people never want to give up freebies. Politicians facing upcoming elections don't want to take away peoples freebies.
So the end result is we may be stuck with a bad healthcare system that costs all Americans trillions of dollars more than advertised.
Obama must have been laughing when they named it the affordable care act. As we can see no matter how bad something is people never want to give up freebies. Politicians facing upcoming elections don't want to take away peoples freebies.
So the end result is we may be stuck with a bad healthcare system that costs all Americans trillions of dollars more than advertised.
I doubt that anyone has heard Donald Trump say anything which would imply that he had spent even 5 minutes thinking about health care. For that matter, that goes for all other policy issues as well. Trump plays to applause, period.
3
Another day, another issue, more proof that Trump behaves like a spoiled child with a short attention span. What's the next bright shiny object?
5
Stop! I can't stand all the winning!
6
Why the GOP leadership listens to Trump is beyond rationale. He has no policy stance on anything. He changes his messages daily, even hourly. And now, he is telling them to 'just repeal Obamacare.' That message on its surface should cause deep pause for every member of the G.O.P. That message says, "I don't care about Americans and their health." It says, "I want a win at all costs." That message says to the GOP, "I don't care what happens to you during the next election, I know it helps me with my supporters."
GOP be aware. If you listen to the madman too long, you too will go mad.
GOP be aware. If you listen to the madman too long, you too will go mad.
4
Clearly, the Golf Therapy isn't working on him as hoped.
3
This bill not only demonstrated the arrogance of Republican power, but the stupidity and outright cruelty of Republican power. What a surprise?
I just heard that productivity is going down in the U.S. No better example than in the all-Republican Congress and presidency. Plus, this GOP regime does all it can to make this country worse, not better, and they end up wasting everyone's time and money with their nihilist approach to government.
Or is this what happens when businessmen are put in charge of government, but don't know how to govern?
I just heard that productivity is going down in the U.S. No better example than in the all-Republican Congress and presidency. Plus, this GOP regime does all it can to make this country worse, not better, and they end up wasting everyone's time and money with their nihilist approach to government.
Or is this what happens when businessmen are put in charge of government, but don't know how to govern?
3
The GOP has lost the ability to govern. This abomination of a bill is surpassed only by the process it took to create it. Of course the president failed; who would have expected otherwise?
3
Well, that's that. Gonna take another stab at building that wall?
Trump's running out of promises to break.
Trump's running out of promises to break.
3
So representatives of the American Heart Association, met over breakfast burritos to discuss healthcare?
2
Six months and this brat that would be king is bored with the most challenging and interesting job in the world.
I guess it's true what they say: people of great intellect are never bored.
I guess it's true what they say: people of great intellect are never bored.
6
So true!
Stunning spectacle today in the WH: Donald, barking to the troops that he promised an "easy" ride in his campaign, so don't leave town without proving him right. Don't embarrass the Boss. Did he spend 10 seconds in thought or research on what he was demanding? Did he work at it? Republicans, save your souls.
3
Who believes old man Frank Trump would have approved his second-born dunce's run for the presidency now?
1
So much of the current rhetoric seems to have so little to do with public health and how to create delivery system we could afford.
Many of those who have experienced Medicare, which at least seems to work, cannot help thinking that the entire population deserves Medicare, and perhaps it would be simpler to finance.
Meanwhile, what if Trump and others whose job it is to deal with the intricacies of the system, stopped quacking sound-bites until they read all legislation, listened to patients and care-givers, and knew what the issues were?
Many of those who have experienced Medicare, which at least seems to work, cannot help thinking that the entire population deserves Medicare, and perhaps it would be simpler to finance.
Meanwhile, what if Trump and others whose job it is to deal with the intricacies of the system, stopped quacking sound-bites until they read all legislation, listened to patients and care-givers, and knew what the issues were?
2
Poor Donald. He can't understand why the Republicans aren't falling over themselves to vote for his bill.
One reason is that it was just bad legislation, and some Senators saw that. Others saw that it didn't do what they wanted. But at the end of the day, the real reasons for the defections was that Trump wasn't going to own any of the problems that would result from passing the bill. He didn't get out to campaign for it: he was too busy ogling the lady golfers and making nicey-nicey with Mr. Putin. If he isn't going to share the risk, he isn't going to win any votes in the Senate. And that will apply not just to health care; he won't win tax "reform," he won't win infrastructure, he won't win anything important if he doesn't get to the Hill and to the public and put what little political capital he has left to work for legislation he wants.
One reason is that it was just bad legislation, and some Senators saw that. Others saw that it didn't do what they wanted. But at the end of the day, the real reasons for the defections was that Trump wasn't going to own any of the problems that would result from passing the bill. He didn't get out to campaign for it: he was too busy ogling the lady golfers and making nicey-nicey with Mr. Putin. If he isn't going to share the risk, he isn't going to win any votes in the Senate. And that will apply not just to health care; he won't win tax "reform," he won't win infrastructure, he won't win anything important if he doesn't get to the Hill and to the public and put what little political capital he has left to work for legislation he wants.
3
Mr. Trump, in my opinion, has absolutely no interest in proposing or promoting legislation, on anything. He will just wait in the Oval Office, "pen in hand", to sign whatever the Republican congress members come up with. Keep in mind that these are the same members who he denigrated as "stupid" during his campaign, time and time again. And after. Apparently he thinks that feeding them lunch and dinner will make them "smart" and ready to deliver any piece of nonsensical legislation for him to put his barnyard scrawl on.
3
"Mr. Trump was inviting all Republican senators to the White House on Wednesday — to talk about health care." Interesting how Mr. Trump sees the country: " 'We had 52 people, we had 4 no's,' Trump said, recalling the Senate whip count that emerged Monday night. 'Now we might have had another one somewhere in there, but essentially the vote would have been pretty close to, if you look at it, 48 to 4. That’s a pretty impressive vote by any standard, and yet you have a vote of 48 to 4, or something like that, and you need more? That’s pretty tough.' " (Politico) Its like half the country does not exist. And now Mr. Trump seems to be threatening to sabotage the ACA, which sound like dereliction of duty, not to mention extortion.
4
This is just one more promise that Mr. Trump made and couldn't deliver on. He was never prepared for this office and it is showing.
6
Demonstrating once again that he is utterly clueless and incoherent, Trump at his pep rally lunch today is back on the bandwagon for repeal and replace. You have to wonder why no one in that audience is willing to challenge Trump's nonsensical jibberish. What's to be afraid of anymore? He has no credibility whatsoever.
3
This whole effort by the Republicans to "repeal and replace" the ACA is a sham. The only reason they wanted to cut Medicaid was to free up money to pass tax cuts for the top .1%. Follow the money. The GOP's wealthy right wing donors didn't spend all those hundreds of millions of dollars to buy Republican votes for nothing. Financing tax cuts for the rich while cutting programs the poor and middle-class rely on will not be politically possible in the long run. Republicans will pay a very heavy price for this cynical money grab.
2
The goal was to repeal and replace according to Trump. According to many conservative Republicans repeal was enough because it would leave only unregulated markets to serve the health care funding needs of individuals not enrolled in some employer group plan or covered by some government entitlement program like Medicare or the V.A.'s health care plan. The replace step meant assuring affordable coverage for all and that means government interference to assure that the markets did not shut people out for prior conditions or drive them out with higher premiums, deductibles, and co-pays as well as caps on coverage. That pretty much determined that no replacement for the ACA could be offered that could receive unified Republican support. It meant that the smart thing to do was resolve the issue regarding government interference before even considering repealing and replacing the ACA. Unless all Republicans were ready to replace the ACA with a plan that was actually cheaper but not cheaper for denying good coverage, they never should have drafted any legislation.
2
It seems that the president of the United States needs to take some classes in how the U.S. Government works. Kind of "Our federal government has three parts. They are the Executive, (President and about 5,000,000 workers) Legislative (Senate and House of Representatives) and Judicial (Supreme Court and lower Courts). The President of the United States administers the Executive Branch of our government." He does NOT administer the Legislative Branch or the Judicial Branch. Period.
3
Without realizing it, the Republicans just admitted that Obamacare is better than anything else they can put on the table; that after 7 years of promising repeal and replace they could not even convene a conference or a panel to devise an intelligently designed alternative; that after more than 50 votes to repeal Obamacare they could not do it when it meant they would be accountable for the results, thus proving their actions were driven not by responsible governing, but by vindictiveness. It's time to repeal and replace the Republicans.
2
When it is more than apparent the Trump know nothing about health care and is only motivated by being seen as a "dealmaker" why would any Republican waste their time meeting with him again on this. Other than taking revenge on Obama, he has no ideas. Better they have a sit down with Governor Kasich, who seems to have clue and perhaps a heart, and explore working with DEMS on fixing those parts of the ACA that EVERYONE agrees don't work and ensure that all Americans of all political stripes and at every income level can receive medical care, including preventative services, when they need it without loosing their home.
1
Be care whom you choose to represent you, folks. You will be judged by the wisdom, or lack thereof, of your choice.
2
Take care, or be careful. Who you choose will be taken to be a more articulate version of who you are.
1
Clearly they never wanted to fix healthcare in the first place. It's obvious how little they care about people's lives, and how much they care about scoring political points.
4
Some thoughts about Medicaid, the people who receive it, and Trump supporters.
Before Obama expanded Medicaid, most people eligible for it were children, pregnant women, indigent, mentally ill, alcoholic, drug addicted, disabled or frail elderly in nursing homes. They are not an effective voting bloc, in fact I expect very few of these people vote at all.
Medicaid expansion opened the program up to the able-bodied poor in many states. These are the minimum wage workers who are kept part time so they don't have to be paid benefits. These are laid off rural or small town people scraping by where there are few jobs. The income limits for them are much higher that they were before the expansion, but they are still extremely low. These folks may have little, but now they have health care that's essentially free.
Trump voters are more likely to be better off, more middle income, who feel heavily taxed and see little if any benefit from government programs. If self employed, they pay obscenely high insurance premiums. Unless they have direct family experience with Medicaid they don't see its usefulness. And they resent anyone who is able bodied receiving benefits. They have driven the movement to kill Obamacare because of its generous subsidies to everyone but themselves. Conservatives in Congress simply reflect these voters, who vote in droves.
Considering these real differences, I don't see how a health care system can possibly be designed that will satisfy everyone.
Before Obama expanded Medicaid, most people eligible for it were children, pregnant women, indigent, mentally ill, alcoholic, drug addicted, disabled or frail elderly in nursing homes. They are not an effective voting bloc, in fact I expect very few of these people vote at all.
Medicaid expansion opened the program up to the able-bodied poor in many states. These are the minimum wage workers who are kept part time so they don't have to be paid benefits. These are laid off rural or small town people scraping by where there are few jobs. The income limits for them are much higher that they were before the expansion, but they are still extremely low. These folks may have little, but now they have health care that's essentially free.
Trump voters are more likely to be better off, more middle income, who feel heavily taxed and see little if any benefit from government programs. If self employed, they pay obscenely high insurance premiums. Unless they have direct family experience with Medicaid they don't see its usefulness. And they resent anyone who is able bodied receiving benefits. They have driven the movement to kill Obamacare because of its generous subsidies to everyone but themselves. Conservatives in Congress simply reflect these voters, who vote in droves.
Considering these real differences, I don't see how a health care system can possibly be designed that will satisfy everyone.
Just in case you were thinking that Trump and Republicans were serious about providing access to healthcare for all...if they can't take it away one way, they will try to do it another way.
3
"Mr. Trump was inviting all Republican senators to the White House on Wednesday — to talk about health care." Because... obviously, only including Republicans in the process so far has been such a winning strategy.
4
There are 2 reasons why Trump ran for president: to feed his hunger for adulation and to make money. That last reason is the one he shares with Putin.
American sanctions are a problem for Putin since a lot of his money is held under them. Being a pal Trump
wants to lift Putin's sanctions and also give him back the spy dachas we confiscated here in America.
Along with stopping the Onerous healthcare bill and killing the anti-civil rights tax bill the Republicans are planning, Americans must keep a sharp eye on these sanctions for they are not firmly in place. After all
We already have too much Putin in the WH.
American sanctions are a problem for Putin since a lot of his money is held under them. Being a pal Trump
wants to lift Putin's sanctions and also give him back the spy dachas we confiscated here in America.
Along with stopping the Onerous healthcare bill and killing the anti-civil rights tax bill the Republicans are planning, Americans must keep a sharp eye on these sanctions for they are not firmly in place. After all
We already have too much Putin in the WH.
2
Following the failure of the Repeal and Replace legislation in the Senate, the President blamed obstruction by the Democrats. Does he understand that his party controls both legislative chambers and the executive branch and that the only thing missing in the Republican efforts was leadership from the White House. His blame of others who were not even included in the discussion may be explained by a lack of basic knowledge of how government works or an inability to accept responsibility for anything. Either way it's a sad state of affairs to have someone this ill equipped occupying the Oval Office.
3
The GOP navigated itself into this mess by making what they knew were unrealistic, ridiculous campaign promises. Their opposition to the ACA had ideological merit in the 2010 and 2012. After Obama had been reelected, the fight was over: he would simply veto any bill that threatened his signature legislation. By the time he left office in early 2017, the entitlement program had been in place for nearly seven years, long enough for millions of voters to have become dependent on it. The GOP should have seen the writing on the wall in November of 2012 and given up this charade. Now they are paying the price. You make you bed, now you get to sleep in it.
1
Precisely why it is so pointless (counterproductive) to get so focused on impeaching Trump or obsessing on his personality/moral flaws. It simply would NOT be better to have a "dignified", competent, focused Republican who actually cares deeply one way or the other about the full range of issues that don't directly make Trump wealthier or enlarge his "stature" such that it is. Democrats should stop obsessing about Trump and develop an actual agenda (well, capitulating to Bernie's would be best for most Americans).
Never Bernie! For this Democrat. And FYI, Bernie's no Democrat to begin with.
2
Imagine, people were unwilling to accept a sentence of penury and risk of death without putting up a fight.
1
I feel sorry for Mr. Trump as the poor fellow knows not his position in the world. Even worse he has no clue to run the government.
2
America, keep your guard up. This is a zombie bill and it might be back again.
And meanwhile the administration is destroying environmental protections and quite possibly handing state secrets over to Russia and our children's education to profiteers. If it isn't one thing, its another. Bannon wants to destroy it all.
And meanwhile the administration is destroying environmental protections and quite possibly handing state secrets over to Russia and our children's education to profiteers. If it isn't one thing, its another. Bannon wants to destroy it all.
63
Paula, they want us Americans to get so sick from environmental chemicals and carcinogen exposure, that they want us to visit doctors and hospitals more, so they can bill us and insurance even more, all the while physicians will get richer and hospitals will get more expensive. Then we will all have to pay premium costs for drugs because the FDA and USDA won't have any authority left on who is going to protect us little people, the consumers. Its all a racket for companies to make America really sick again.
4
"...a president who, one staff member said, was growing bored in selling the bill and often undermined the best-laid plans of his aides with a quip or a tweet."
Maybe if Mr. Trump took the time to delve into the issues, he'd find a way to sell a replacement plan. During the campaign, he had no trouble selling the crowd that the ACA was no good.
Problem was, though, when people saw that the replacement plan was far worse than the highly demonized ACA. Then the people rallied as is their right and duty in free society.
Mr. Trump, I'm sorry you're so frustrated, but just imagine the frustration of the people you serve, not knowing if or when healthcare will be abruptly taken away from them. Just ponder for a minute how easy it is for you, a billionaire, to call your personal concierge physician and get seen immediately while so many American's don't have that luxury.
Maybe if Mr. Trump took the time to delve into the issues, he'd find a way to sell a replacement plan. During the campaign, he had no trouble selling the crowd that the ACA was no good.
Problem was, though, when people saw that the replacement plan was far worse than the highly demonized ACA. Then the people rallied as is their right and duty in free society.
Mr. Trump, I'm sorry you're so frustrated, but just imagine the frustration of the people you serve, not knowing if or when healthcare will be abruptly taken away from them. Just ponder for a minute how easy it is for you, a billionaire, to call your personal concierge physician and get seen immediately while so many American's don't have that luxury.
20
Do you REALLY think Mr. Birther is able to "ponder" anything?
This man is unhinged. He does not have the capacity to consider any other human being other than himself.
This man is unhinged. He does not have the capacity to consider any other human being other than himself.
6
He is incapable of understanding the issues. Even if he actually, perish the thought, did research and studied the issue. There is nothing but soft voices whispering "you are so great, you are so glorious" in his head.
5
Everything Trump does has a poison pill in it.
5
It's terrifying to see that Trump is now willing to sign absolutely any bill placed in front of him to say he made a deal (which he was probably willing to do right from the start). Congress could pass a bill simply outlawing hospitals and healthcare and he'd sign it. And he'd say that we now have a much better healthcare system. And his supporters would agree with him.
35
Trump has to be choking on all his fantastic victories already.
3
In real world corporations;
If CEO fails to get their strategy through; they usually resign out of respect or get fired.
If CEO fails to get their strategy through; they usually resign out of respect or get fired.
32
The CEOs are answerable to the board of directors. But Trump seems to think he is not answerable to anyone and that the lawmakers are in fact his employees so he can scold them if he has to.
4
Not in family businesses like Trump Enterprises.
3
This entire process has exposed two major ideas that extend beyond health care; 1-The GOP is good at tearing down government programs but can't offer anything constructive because they don't think government can do anything right; 2-Trump doesn't care what type of Health care gets past as long as he can claim he passed something. This is all about ego, not improving health care access, quality, or coverage.
I feel like I'm a hostage in a very bad movie.
I feel like I'm a hostage in a very bad movie.
69
where the exit doors seem to be blocked...
9
Medicare is the health insurance for the disable, or retired contributor who paid to Medicare trough taxes along their working life.
In another word, Medicare has its own TRUST FUND. It is for the insured who paid to Medicare. An insured’s wife, or disable child since childhood may qualify for Medicare.
I do not understand why these politicians are taking money away from Medicare’s trust fund to expand health coverage to the uninsured people, or giving participation to private health insurance companies under the so call Medicare Part C. Private health insurance companies usually will overcharge Medicare’s trust fund for services provided.
That way, politicians will bankrupt Medicare…
In another word, Medicare has its own TRUST FUND. It is for the insured who paid to Medicare. An insured’s wife, or disable child since childhood may qualify for Medicare.
I do not understand why these politicians are taking money away from Medicare’s trust fund to expand health coverage to the uninsured people, or giving participation to private health insurance companies under the so call Medicare Part C. Private health insurance companies usually will overcharge Medicare’s trust fund for services provided.
That way, politicians will bankrupt Medicare…
2
Republicans failed in the most basic aspect of legislating: identifying a problem and developing a viable solution to solve the problem. Rather than identifying specific weaknesses with the ACA and offering solutions to those weaknesses, Republicans just said the ACA is the problem. It's no wonder they failed.
25
Fed up? So easily and quickly? Really?
7
And bored, too. Let's not forget that one.
Trump clearly has neither the attention span nor the interest to delve into difficult topics that require long-term discussion and negotiation. This is what governing is about, and this is what elected officials - good, responsible elected officials - actually do all day long. I guess Mr. Trump, who went to Washington with such pomp and circumstance, is coming to the conclusion that hey, being president is hard work, and hey, he doesn't really like it.
How in the world is he going to make it through the next 3.5 years? And more to the point, how are we as a nation going to make it?
Trump clearly has neither the attention span nor the interest to delve into difficult topics that require long-term discussion and negotiation. This is what governing is about, and this is what elected officials - good, responsible elected officials - actually do all day long. I guess Mr. Trump, who went to Washington with such pomp and circumstance, is coming to the conclusion that hey, being president is hard work, and hey, he doesn't really like it.
How in the world is he going to make it through the next 3.5 years? And more to the point, how are we as a nation going to make it?
3
Why not? My goldfish has a longer attention span than 45.
5
Trump was right. The death of Trumpcare feels like winning!
21
I would be willing to bet that even as of today President Trump has not spent as much as an hour seriously thinking about what a workable health care system would involve.
34
How ironic that Trump fusses about colleagues "complaining" about the health bill (as Senator Rand Paul did on recent news shows) -- this from our shallow, incompetent "leader" who complains more in a single day than normal, balanced people do in a whole year.
Donald Trump is the very embodiment of adversarial and counterproductive -- a Cancer in our nation. He should resign, soon. If he doesn't, collective pressure should force him to do so.
Donald Trump is the very embodiment of adversarial and counterproductive -- a Cancer in our nation. He should resign, soon. If he doesn't, collective pressure should force him to do so.
15
Look,
when you combine mental illness, greed, and callous inhumanity
you wind up with Trump, McConnell and Ryan.
when you combine mental illness, greed, and callous inhumanity
you wind up with Trump, McConnell and Ryan.
32
It is easier during those 8 years to handed Obama the multi repeal but when it comes to coming up with something workable the obstructionist choked. All those loud campaign promises that we can do better is just empty. The master of negotiator itself was absent from the nitty gritty work but complain the loudest but be the first to take credit if anything is passed. He is the only president who wishes on the collapse of the health care system that so many depends on including those who voted for him. Think about that for a minute.
8
I keep waiting for Mr. T. to fly home to NYC and all in 'not well' one Monday morning and just blow off the whole enterprise. And I keep hearing that Mr. Pence is straightening his tie and the Mrs. is measuring for curtains.
8
This so called healthcare debacle is merely the public presentation of events that have existed in the lives of those whom these actors consider as collateral damage. We don't matter until they need our votes, our money or our lives to be given for wars they run away from. Look at Trumps behavior and you will see strong tendencies which we all consider negative in our children and pets. Untruthfulness, hatefulness, crudity, selfishness and contravention of every one of the Ten Commandments except perhaps that which deals with killing human beings. He has unapologetic support in the millions. His natural tendency is to sink. He has been kept afloat by National Banks. He now trolls the bottom town international systems for those willing to take a chance on him. This ain't no hero. He's sold himself, his family and has promised America to the highest bidder. What's in it for me is his policy.
6
He did brag about how he could easily get away with violating the seventh commandment. It is a shining star in his moral firmament. Give him some credit for that.
2
Well, this is what you get when you put the peanut gallery, en mass, in control . . .
7
It failed because it was understood by many millions of people to be a real threat to wellbeing. NYT frames the story as misplayed political gaming, but that is pretty disingenuous.
1
The Republican Party could not end Obamacare? The President of The United States could not end it either? What is going on in D.C.? What until 2018 and they are going to catcch hell from all the voters who believed in them plue those that didn't and we'll get ""Medicare for All" as the compromise.
4
A rat like Rand Paul is at least smart enough to jump ship before it sinks.
9
What does a mentally ill sham President and power hungry RepubliCon Party lack?
A conscience, principles, integrity, humanity, decency, reflection, shame
A conscience, principles, integrity, humanity, decency, reflection, shame
13
Face it America we have a guy pretending to be our commander-in-chief who is , for lack of a better word, lazy. Everything has been given to him since birth and all he wants to do is watch TV and visit his estates. Hard work is for losers!
#impeach and replace Lazy Donnie
#impeach and replace Lazy Donnie
26
It is really hard to negotiation and make deals with the negotiation and deal making isn't in good faith. Except for the very few Republicans in the Senate who stood up to Trump, the rest are not negotiating in good faith for the American people.
These individuals have been playing a long game for so long of saying one thing and then quietly, behind closed doors and behind backs, doing another. Going out to Fox to spin an issue or policy and then turning around and hurting the American people with their awful policies and legislation.
Except now, now the American public and lawmakers are having a conversation about something that is all too real and too important to regular, everyday life of Americans. And so how to deal make when the end goal is to screw millions and millions of Americans? How to negotiate when all promises are false and everyone knows it?
This isn't as much about Donald Trump being out of his leagues as it is about the Republican party having choosing money and power over the American people and our democracy.
These individuals have been playing a long game for so long of saying one thing and then quietly, behind closed doors and behind backs, doing another. Going out to Fox to spin an issue or policy and then turning around and hurting the American people with their awful policies and legislation.
Except now, now the American public and lawmakers are having a conversation about something that is all too real and too important to regular, everyday life of Americans. And so how to deal make when the end goal is to screw millions and millions of Americans? How to negotiate when all promises are false and everyone knows it?
This isn't as much about Donald Trump being out of his leagues as it is about the Republican party having choosing money and power over the American people and our democracy.
5
are these republicans mentally ill? its becoming the only thing that makes any sense to me - unless they are just evil. what normal people act like this?
18
Damn radical patients, doctors, nurses, AMA, AARP, and every other group
involved in getting and providing health care to Americans opposing this
Trump care plan just because it would take away care from millions while
giving billions to the rich.
How, how, how can you do the right thing in the face of a wall of lies :)
Ok now it's time to mobilize and get these GOP threats to our country voted out in 2018!
involved in getting and providing health care to Americans opposing this
Trump care plan just because it would take away care from millions while
giving billions to the rich.
How, how, how can you do the right thing in the face of a wall of lies :)
Ok now it's time to mobilize and get these GOP threats to our country voted out in 2018!
10
Trump to America: "Drop dead!"
7
A perfect outcome in which more and more Americans, even conservative ones, - and some of the rubes and morons who have voted Republican since that charlatan Reagan - are coming to see that the Republican Party is nothing more than a concierge service for the one percent of the one percent, Big Pharma, crooked banks, the Koch Brothers, rapacious corporations, fossil fuel polluters and the insurance vultures who care not a wit about Americans as long as they can suck the last dime out of their wallets. The jig is up, GOP, and now we know exactly who wanted to take out healthcare away to give rich people even more money, who wanted
to throw grandma out of the nursing home, cut off chemo to Mom, and bankrupt families with doctor bills so their super rich owners can buy another yacht. And we won't forget, either: November 2018. November 2020. Goodbye Republicans. Enjoy the ash heap of history you are headed for, and hopefully, jail, where you all belong.
to throw grandma out of the nursing home, cut off chemo to Mom, and bankrupt families with doctor bills so their super rich owners can buy another yacht. And we won't forget, either: November 2018. November 2020. Goodbye Republicans. Enjoy the ash heap of history you are headed for, and hopefully, jail, where you all belong.
11
"a Fed-Up Trump?"
And the people of the US are not reciprocally fed up with this whining, lying, snivelling, tweeting, condescending, Russian-liking, impatient, man-child, nepotistic, egotistical,lacking humility, silly, lacking remorse, and much more?
What did I miss out?
And the people of the US are not reciprocally fed up with this whining, lying, snivelling, tweeting, condescending, Russian-liking, impatient, man-child, nepotistic, egotistical,lacking humility, silly, lacking remorse, and much more?
What did I miss out?
11
With his two-year-old's attention span and breadth of intellect, Trump was never going to understand "healthcare" now or ever. He thought that Paul and Mitch would just whip something up and he'd sign it and then get "a big win" while blowing a raspberry at Obama. He's now discovered that he can neither sue nor threaten the GOP into supporting this travesty of a bill if they think their jobs are on the line- loyalty only goes so far. The tragedy is that none of these political machinations by these political hacks have anything to do with providing American citizens with fair and decent healthcare -nothing at all.
19
I really do not understand anymore all this healthcare circus, bills and the related charade when there is an easy solution that was advocated by trump and the speaker of the house during the campaign and after dt became president.: MEDICARE FOR ALL!! This is easy. Medicare was established on July 30, 1965 (52 years ago). Medicare was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson and works perfectly well. About 57 million people are enrolled in the Medicare program. This program should be for everybody and not only for seniors?
6
So let's connect some dots here...
Republican Senators from former industrial states are standing against these reforms because the number of their constituents on Medicaid is too huge to ignore.
The industrial states descended into being the Rust Belt because of expanded mechanization, but also because of the exodus of jobs to developing countries to avoid unions and their influence on the salaries and benefits they guarantee.
Republicans have always fought unions, the worker's right to bargain, and, well, worker's rights in general, thus facilitating the decline of America's labor market.
Now those people who used to make cars, steel, glass, plastics, etc. can't survive in the new normal that has been insultingly called "the service economy." Box stores like Wal Mart pay so little that they further contribute to the need for welfare and health care coverage from the government. Apple and other tech companies sell their wares to Americans though refusing to employ them in the production of those items. Hence, more Americans need Obamacare (ACA) and especially Medicaid.
Republicans don't want capitalism reigned in with silly regulations or the expectation companies that prosper in the U.S. actually be required to give back to the people who made them wealthy, but at the same time, they don't want the unemployed and under-employed to receive the government aid they need to survive now that all the good jobs are gone. That's some catch, that Catch-22.
Republican Senators from former industrial states are standing against these reforms because the number of their constituents on Medicaid is too huge to ignore.
The industrial states descended into being the Rust Belt because of expanded mechanization, but also because of the exodus of jobs to developing countries to avoid unions and their influence on the salaries and benefits they guarantee.
Republicans have always fought unions, the worker's right to bargain, and, well, worker's rights in general, thus facilitating the decline of America's labor market.
Now those people who used to make cars, steel, glass, plastics, etc. can't survive in the new normal that has been insultingly called "the service economy." Box stores like Wal Mart pay so little that they further contribute to the need for welfare and health care coverage from the government. Apple and other tech companies sell their wares to Americans though refusing to employ them in the production of those items. Hence, more Americans need Obamacare (ACA) and especially Medicaid.
Republicans don't want capitalism reigned in with silly regulations or the expectation companies that prosper in the U.S. actually be required to give back to the people who made them wealthy, but at the same time, they don't want the unemployed and under-employed to receive the government aid they need to survive now that all the good jobs are gone. That's some catch, that Catch-22.
9
Although the GOP was divided, the real reason this bill failed was because it was a horrible bill. It took away essential health insurance coverage, and the public hated it.
9
As I heard someone wisely say, the Republicans picked a fight with the wrong people. NEVER try to stand in the way of a parent with a disabled child. Those parents have fought for their children since the minute they were born, fighting: doctors, hospitals, schools, school systems, social service agencies. And they NEVER give up. There were many people without the daily responsibility of a child with a disability who also fought, or gave money, or support of some kind, because we have empathy for our fellow human beings. Cannot be taught by books, but learned as a child. djr, mcconnell, ryan will never be empathetic humans.
15
Will someone please ask Mr. Trump what is on page 5 of the healthcare bill! and explain it? How about page 25? Page 63? Does he even have a copy?
Donald Trump probably never picked up his copy to read.
And when the Senate is doing the only thing they can to get around his leadership, without standing outside the White House and protesting their leader, they are protesting in their own way - by putting their constituents of Maine, West Virginia, and Alaska first. Thank you madame senators. You give us strength, because you have shown yours.
The Trumps have quite the different view on many things in governing. But impacting millions of human lives cannot be left to the Trump kind of governing, which is schmoozing, lying, talking about things where there is no clue, and even expecting the same of the Trump children.
I can somewhat look at my fellow healthcare workers in the eye because I have stood by the resistance of repealing the Affordable Care Act and fought however I could to uphold healthcare for millions of American citizens. Donald Trump crying the blues over his own leadership downfall is pathetic. Senators that would be swayed by his demands are wrong, they do not represent the US citizens and they don't represent America.
We cannot be a nation that turns its back on healthcare. Just as a nurse who would never turn my back on a floundering patient, the leaders of this country have got to come to their senses, work together, and do good for all.
Donald Trump probably never picked up his copy to read.
And when the Senate is doing the only thing they can to get around his leadership, without standing outside the White House and protesting their leader, they are protesting in their own way - by putting their constituents of Maine, West Virginia, and Alaska first. Thank you madame senators. You give us strength, because you have shown yours.
The Trumps have quite the different view on many things in governing. But impacting millions of human lives cannot be left to the Trump kind of governing, which is schmoozing, lying, talking about things where there is no clue, and even expecting the same of the Trump children.
I can somewhat look at my fellow healthcare workers in the eye because I have stood by the resistance of repealing the Affordable Care Act and fought however I could to uphold healthcare for millions of American citizens. Donald Trump crying the blues over his own leadership downfall is pathetic. Senators that would be swayed by his demands are wrong, they do not represent the US citizens and they don't represent America.
We cannot be a nation that turns its back on healthcare. Just as a nurse who would never turn my back on a floundering patient, the leaders of this country have got to come to their senses, work together, and do good for all.
7
We have a Fed-Up Carney Barker. A "bunch of frogs in a wheelbarrow" in the Senate. And Paul Ryan's Motley Fools in the House. Circling the wagons while holding a circular firing squad.
Then we have ordinary citizens, needing some certainty that government will work FOR them, rather than against them.
Everything keeps going wrong, as the Congress seems frozen in place, the Carney Barker is a whirling dervish going nowhere. And the People plead for sane government, including healthcare that's affordable and works on behalf of people, rather than corporations (which never need heathcare but are in love with wealthcare).
The sun rises.
The sun sets.
Fiddler on the Roof does end happily.
Will we too become refugees?
Then we have ordinary citizens, needing some certainty that government will work FOR them, rather than against them.
Everything keeps going wrong, as the Congress seems frozen in place, the Carney Barker is a whirling dervish going nowhere. And the People plead for sane government, including healthcare that's affordable and works on behalf of people, rather than corporations (which never need heathcare but are in love with wealthcare).
The sun rises.
The sun sets.
Fiddler on the Roof does end happily.
Will we too become refugees?
4
Who cares that Trump is "fed up" with anything? Stop framing the conduct of this crazy demagogue and dictator wannabe in anything resembling normal terminology.
7
If McConnell or Ryan had a shred of ethics, they'd at least be in open rebellion against Trump now: a president who gave no support to this, says he was "bored" by it- bored? - and now once again throws his colleagues under the bus, by saying he doesn't own this failure. The two Congressional leaders have bent over backwards for him because he hasn't gotten in their way- except now he has. Will they continue to make excuses for him? Stay tuned.
5
Without the input of the medical profession there is no need for the Republicans to meet on any new healthcare bill. The Republican Party ( if you can still call it that) has zero knowledge of healthcare and could care less about patient needs. They just want to cheat the public in some way that won't hurt their own needs and will make rich Republicans richer. Follow the Koch brothers. Those are their goals.
6
No one seems to be remarking that three Republican WOMEN are blocking the repeal with no plan to follow. They probably actually have some idea of what damage that would cause families and care about it.
11
So, the president's fed up with the grind of health care legislation and the inner workings of government. Then why in blazes did he want to be president? Was he naive enough to think that being president was easy? And what about his alleged vaunted deal-making skills that would drain the swamp and make America great again? It wouldn't surprise me if the Hill Republicans were fed up with him as well.
9
"...and a president who, one staff member said, was growing bored in selling the bill and often undermined the best-laid plans of his aides with a quip or a tweet."
Trump, in his lack of understanding of the bill and his lack of a work ethic was never involved in "selling the bill." He simply wanted to "win." Sounds like he is getting tired of losing...
Trump, in his lack of understanding of the bill and his lack of a work ethic was never involved in "selling the bill." He simply wanted to "win." Sounds like he is getting tired of losing...
4
Trump has no leadership skills- the success he enjoyed as a businessman came from owning the company and being able to just tell people what to do and fire them if they did not.
He does not know how to lead. He does not know how to build a team.
No surprise the GOP majority in Congress has come to naught.
He does not know how to lead. He does not know how to build a team.
No surprise the GOP majority in Congress has come to naught.
13
If Trump is not willing to lead, he is welcome to resign. I am sure Pence is ready and willing to step up!
1
I tried to discuss the details with a friend in the insurance business, and he raged like Trump does in his most constipated moments. Red-faced, angry, and fed up. It's awful, and everyone who has bothered to really look at the consequences knows it.
4
Let's get one thing clear though;
It didn't falter because they wanted to help Americans more and couldn't agree on it.
It faltered, because they couldn't agree on the level of pain to inflict on Americans even more then they're going through now.
It didn't falter because they wanted to help Americans more and couldn't agree on it.
It faltered, because they couldn't agree on the level of pain to inflict on Americans even more then they're going through now.
11
Give an infinite number of chimpanzees with typewriters an infinite amount of time, and they will eventually produce a work of Shakespeare. Give them just seven years and they will produce the GOP healthcare bill.
4
Girls just wanna have fun. AND the ovaries, to do the right thing.
3
GOP leaders can only tap into latent racism and fear in their voting base. They couldn't sell an idea with facts and stats and presentations and speeches (like Obama did when he pitched his plan). They relied on AM Talk radio hosts and Fox News to sell fear -- while they obstructed and took vacations. And the selling point -- spun by the real creators of fake news -- was a black man named Barack Hussein Obama made this, and he is making the country socialist. They followed that with flag waving, gun rights spin, planned parenthood disgust, and evangelical dog-whistles. Then back to: Socialist Obama made this and it's about to explode. No facts, no data, no thought, just fear. That was their biggest power-point presentation on loop through the real fake news. Lazy GOP leaders relying on racism and fear tactics to sell a non-plan for health care.
We now see that major parts of ObamaCare are working. It needs a few tweaks, but, on the whole, it's a good thing.
Start telling the truth Grand Old Party. Stop selling fear.
We now see that major parts of ObamaCare are working. It needs a few tweaks, but, on the whole, it's a good thing.
Start telling the truth Grand Old Party. Stop selling fear.
13
What worries me more than the poor effort they put into creating a workable alternative (and the product that resulted) is the scramble to "patch it" just enough to provide cover for some GOP senators. That combination leads to the worst of the worst possible outcomes. I am afraid it could still happen.
GOP, get with the Dem's and work out a real system that addresses the (real) issues with the current system! If they want to call that process "repeal and replace" to save face, I can live with it as long as it leads to a good solution. I don't see how it can be done without single payer, but am willing to be surprised. Now prove it.
GOP, get with the Dem's and work out a real system that addresses the (real) issues with the current system! If they want to call that process "repeal and replace" to save face, I can live with it as long as it leads to a good solution. I don't see how it can be done without single payer, but am willing to be surprised. Now prove it.
121
It's an odd day when random commenters on the internet are more reasonable and articulate that our country's ruling party, but here we are.
Just to prevent myself from sounding utterly bitter, I hasten to add that I am with you and would love to be (pleasantly) surprised by the two parties and the White House all working together to come up with something actually useful and beneficial to the country at large.
Just to prevent myself from sounding utterly bitter, I hasten to add that I am with you and would love to be (pleasantly) surprised by the two parties and the White House all working together to come up with something actually useful and beneficial to the country at large.
1
"If they want to call that process "repeal and replace" to save face, I can live with it as long as it leads to a good solution."
-----------------------------
Allowing the corrupt and mostly evil Republicans to save face would allow them to increase their majorities in Congress in 2018 and then completely kill healthcare (along with the environment, education, etc.)
-----------------------------
Allowing the corrupt and mostly evil Republicans to save face would allow them to increase their majorities in Congress in 2018 and then completely kill healthcare (along with the environment, education, etc.)
GOPcare could very well pass, The House passed it and the Senate may feel they have to pass. If it passes, Americans will never be able to again pass an affordable health care bill.
Why complicate the explanations? They were selling a used car at night, sitting on its rims in a shady neighborhood and they had no buyers.
Big surprise. Stop treating the MAJORITY of Americans as idiots and you will get better results. Even the 36% of voters that still support the golfer-in-charge do not want to drive down the medical highway in a wobbling piece of junk called the Repeal and Replace...
Big surprise. Stop treating the MAJORITY of Americans as idiots and you will get better results. Even the 36% of voters that still support the golfer-in-charge do not want to drive down the medical highway in a wobbling piece of junk called the Repeal and Replace...
55
So, it turns out the master negotiator, winner and the "I alone can do it." President lacks the basic fortitude, patience and political skills to make good on his central promise to his suckers, er, I mean voters.
Gosh. All this bigly winning. Chocolate cake for everybody!
Gosh. All this bigly winning. Chocolate cake for everybody!
54
He's fed up? I'm fed up. Resist. Remove. Impeach if you have to.
70
My wife wants to know if they served SOUR GRAPES for dessert on Monday night.
13
The great dealmaker. What a loser, legislation is not like slapping your name on some cheap products.
22
O.K. GOP...let us hear the excuses. But please, do not use one that we have heard from you in the past. And, please, do not blame Obama - that has been worn out long ago...........we are waiting.
13
Turns out Congress is broken—
bunch of posers.
bunch of posers.
14
Republicans cannot govern. End of story.
32
White males take note: everything is simply not up to you any longer.
19
And now Trump and some of the same members of Congress who want to take away Medicare/Medicaid from Americans will push for baby Charlie Gard and his parents to get US residency so that they would receive Medicare/Medicaid for what could be hundreds of thousands of dollars in useless treatment. They have more compassion for a terminally ill baby who has no chance than the average American citizen. And no I don't need either. Husband is a doctor and our health care is just fine. But I feel for the Americans who are being abandoned by these idiots.....
14
How has the GOP not yet figured out that, like a shadow version of King Midas, everything Donald Trump touches turns to excrement? By siding with him, they have signed on to a long painful trajectory to nowhere. In the meantime, the damage piles up.
14
hijacking one: don't steal a plane you can't land.
31
Unless to plan to crash it...
Does this mean Mitch McConnell has to give back his "master tactician" ribbon?
10
The Republican opposition to the ACA aka Obamacare stems from the fact that President Barack Hussein Obama adopted a conservative Republican Heritage Foundation free-market capitalist alternative to the failed Clinton Administration Hillary Clinton covert misstep on healthcare while black and Democrat.
7
Trump ran on replacing Obamacare with something better, cheaper, and that would cover everyone. This was, of course, just hot air, a flim-flam man's promise. He had no plan. He has no plan. Why anyone would believe him, I don't know.
He passed responsibility for replacing the ACA to, first, the House Republicans, who produced, predictably, a horrible bill. Then, off to the Senate and Mitch, which likewise generated a horror.
Two things are clear: Trump is, among many his other shortcomings as a human and a politician, not a leader. He's very good at insults and assigning blame while sitting in the peanut gallery. The buck always stops somewhere else. The other thing is that Republicans are not interested in setting up a heath care system that actually works. They are in the business of paying off their benefactors with big tax cuts and the public be damned.
He passed responsibility for replacing the ACA to, first, the House Republicans, who produced, predictably, a horrible bill. Then, off to the Senate and Mitch, which likewise generated a horror.
Two things are clear: Trump is, among many his other shortcomings as a human and a politician, not a leader. He's very good at insults and assigning blame while sitting in the peanut gallery. The buck always stops somewhere else. The other thing is that Republicans are not interested in setting up a heath care system that actually works. They are in the business of paying off their benefactors with big tax cuts and the public be damned.
13
Does anyone understand how difficult it is to draft legislation over 7 years? Too tough for RepubliCons.
1
Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired, signifies in the final sense a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed.
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Trump is increasing spending on the military and cutting help for the needy.
I am tired and sick of war. Its glory is all moonshine. It is only those who have neither fired a shot nor heard the shrieks and groans of the wounded who cry aloud for blood, for vengeance, for desolation. War is hell. William Tecumseh Sherman
Neither Trump nor Tillerson have any military experience
I do not believe that civilization will be wiped out in a war fought with the atomic bomb. Perhaps two-thirds of the people of the earth will be killed. Albert Einstein
Trump has, on many occasions shown his fascination with the use of nuclear weapons. Do you believe that Trump would be willing to kill 2/3rds of the world’s population?
YouTube “ declassified documents expose why 9/11 happened “
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Trump is increasing spending on the military and cutting help for the needy.
I am tired and sick of war. Its glory is all moonshine. It is only those who have neither fired a shot nor heard the shrieks and groans of the wounded who cry aloud for blood, for vengeance, for desolation. War is hell. William Tecumseh Sherman
Neither Trump nor Tillerson have any military experience
I do not believe that civilization will be wiped out in a war fought with the atomic bomb. Perhaps two-thirds of the people of the earth will be killed. Albert Einstein
Trump has, on many occasions shown his fascination with the use of nuclear weapons. Do you believe that Trump would be willing to kill 2/3rds of the world’s population?
YouTube “ declassified documents expose why 9/11 happened “
5
I think you mean, a lazy president.
7
"Let Obamacare fail." That's the only "policy" from the Predator-in-Chief. This pathetic and polarizing president has NO concern for ordinary Americans or the issues we face. He is disgraceful and, yes, deplorable, in every way.
40
If you want to accomplish something positive, don't label it with a negative. "Repeal" was the focus of the bill, not health care.
2
Instead of changing the whole health care bill it would have been advisable to improve on the existing bill wrongly described as Obama care by Republicans.When foundation for some thing is laid after many many years of failures it is clear to strengthen it than to demolish and start all over again.Where is the wisdom of Republican leaders. If common sense is not used now present members will loose in the next time around and people are not going to support them.Use Wisdome and commonsense and that is the message to all. That will make our country stronger.
1
Only Trump could find the presidency boring.
12
We must pray that the GOP finds some way to jam through their effort to strip health insurance from tens of millions of their fellow Americans. When people start to suffer from that lack of insurance only then will they realize that Republicans are consummate evil and vote every last one of them out of office. Then maybe, just maybe the Democrats will pull their heads out of you know where and speak to the needs of the everyday folks just trying in vain to get by. Maybe then we can get Medicaid, yes Medicaid, extended to every single American including those in Congress. But I wouldn't hold my breath.
3
People think this a victory for the ACA and affordable healthcare in our Nation, maybe it is, however the real fight begins in earnest. Trump holds all the funding cards and can decide w/o any Congressional over-sight to starve Obamacare of money is so desperately needs. The Republican Congress can and will place budgetary constraints on the ACA to provide adequate stabilization to the individual markets it was designed to do.
The key lies in 2018, if and a big if, Democrats can take back both chambers of Congress and put into place a 61 vote majority in the Senate,then impeachment and removal proceedings can begin against Commrade Trump & Co with a degree of potential success.
To paraphrase another Conservative "Lion" (Churchill), we may be in fact at the end of the beginning but the beginning of the end is still a long long long away.
The key lies in 2018, if and a big if, Democrats can take back both chambers of Congress and put into place a 61 vote majority in the Senate,then impeachment and removal proceedings can begin against Commrade Trump & Co with a degree of potential success.
To paraphrase another Conservative "Lion" (Churchill), we may be in fact at the end of the beginning but the beginning of the end is still a long long long away.
2
We have to thank the Republican leadership for the debacle that their health care bill was. Now, we can begin the long process of bipartisanship that will eventually bring us to a single payer healthcare system. It will take time and their will be setbacks, but it is going to happen. For that, we have the Democrats who made a mess of the ACA and the Republicans with their repeal and replace bluster to thank.
4
Ya gotta love the fact that Schumer and Bernie and Elizabeth and Sherrod and Wyden and the other Democrats have presented their plan to improve the ACA, full blown and ready for CBO scoring.
1
And so now Trump is threatening to oppose any GOP brethren who refuse to sign onto his massive shift of resources from health care to wealth care.
Almost humorous - the notion incumbents need worry about Trump ousting them in the 2018 primaries. The only chance getting re-elected many of them have is to put distance between themselves and Trump. Indeed Trump has more to worry from moderate Republicans than the other way around. Democrats need only 25 Republicans in the House to join them in impeachment proceedings.
Trump is already toxic to the GOP and that will only get worse as investigations unfold. For all practical purposes he is a dead duck president. GOP leaders are reluctant to acknowledge that; but as his popularity plummets in the polls, they will be looking for an exit strategy. If they don't jump before November next, they will soon thereafter when, in all likelihood, the Democrats will need even fewer Republicans to oust a rogue president.
Almost humorous - the notion incumbents need worry about Trump ousting them in the 2018 primaries. The only chance getting re-elected many of them have is to put distance between themselves and Trump. Indeed Trump has more to worry from moderate Republicans than the other way around. Democrats need only 25 Republicans in the House to join them in impeachment proceedings.
Trump is already toxic to the GOP and that will only get worse as investigations unfold. For all practical purposes he is a dead duck president. GOP leaders are reluctant to acknowledge that; but as his popularity plummets in the polls, they will be looking for an exit strategy. If they don't jump before November next, they will soon thereafter when, in all likelihood, the Democrats will need even fewer Republicans to oust a rogue president.
3
There is no mystery here.
This was a bad bill--a terrible bill
It was mismanaged.
It threatened the health and financial well-being of nearly 15% of the entire U.S. population--a huge number of which were children.
It was done in secret.
It was transparently a give-away to the wealthy that was paid for by the poor.
Just because Republicans control congress doesn't mean that they can insult the public and rob them blind and expect to get away with it.
All that said, I have no doubt that the GOP leaders will try again to ruin Americans' health. Certainly Trump has vowed to do this.
But Trump is another matter. His concern seems to be to eradicate all of President Obama's accomplishments. He couldn't care less about the American people--only his own toxic egomania
This was a bad bill--a terrible bill
It was mismanaged.
It threatened the health and financial well-being of nearly 15% of the entire U.S. population--a huge number of which were children.
It was done in secret.
It was transparently a give-away to the wealthy that was paid for by the poor.
Just because Republicans control congress doesn't mean that they can insult the public and rob them blind and expect to get away with it.
All that said, I have no doubt that the GOP leaders will try again to ruin Americans' health. Certainly Trump has vowed to do this.
But Trump is another matter. His concern seems to be to eradicate all of President Obama's accomplishments. He couldn't care less about the American people--only his own toxic egomania
8
Trump promised everyone healthcare at a price they could afford and at a price lower than the ACA. That was his campaign promise ! He should be happy that this plan that makes insurance so expensive, prohibitively so for millions, did not go through. What's his problem !
1
So borders between states will be taken down for health insurance companies to decrease costs but the states themselves will be in charge of distributing all the subsidies covered?
So someone from Kansas would have to go to Missouri if there were no doctors?...but the state of Kansas would pay?
I don't get it Mr. President.
So someone from Kansas would have to go to Missouri if there were no doctors?...but the state of Kansas would pay?
I don't get it Mr. President.
4
Obamacare is not President Obama's only domestic legacy. I think guiding us out of the Great Recession - WITHOUT any help from the Republicans was pretty great too.
15
The way forward is actually quite clear - unless Trump secretly wants to fail...
A move to totally repeal will give the RINOs air-cover to resist - so they can continue to feed at the bottomless Medicaid trough...
With that...
First - just repeal the individual mandate...
That'll start the dominoes falling...
Second - starve the insurance subsidies, by re-directing any/all available funds to reducing the age for Medicare eligibility...Whatever can be afforded - whether 57, or 63 1/2 - just do it...
These wouldn't even be two-page bills...
They'd be one sentence each...
Then - go deal with US pharma pricing...
A move to totally repeal will give the RINOs air-cover to resist - so they can continue to feed at the bottomless Medicaid trough...
With that...
First - just repeal the individual mandate...
That'll start the dominoes falling...
Second - starve the insurance subsidies, by re-directing any/all available funds to reducing the age for Medicare eligibility...Whatever can be afforded - whether 57, or 63 1/2 - just do it...
These wouldn't even be two-page bills...
They'd be one sentence each...
Then - go deal with US pharma pricing...
1
Mitch McConnell walks into a bar and the bartender says, "Why the long face?"
2
Talk about fake news!
Did any conservative or Republican voter out there really believe that when the GOP had an opportunity to repeal or replace ObamaCare (ACA) that they actually would?
The greatest 'fake news' of the last 7 years has been the countless and pointless repeal votes the House and Senate had passed before Trump.
Another piece of fake news that underlines this whole episode... is that most Republicans want Obamacare as the law of the land. Oh...sure...on one side of their mouth Republican politicians tell their base and voters that they are for repeal, but what is not publically revealed at those private fundraisers is that out of the other side, they tell those with a financial interest in healthcare, that the law will stand.
Many people do not realize how much big business WANTS ObamaCare to succeed. Who do you think changed Chief Justice Roberts vote from a 'NO' to a "YES' when the court was deciding the legality of ObamaCare? Someone whispered in his ear that he needed to change his vote. I Bet that whisper came from the big business community who are sick and tired (forgive the pun), of paying out health care benefits.
A lot more profit to the bottom line without healthcare benefits I bet.
Did any conservative or Republican voter out there really believe that when the GOP had an opportunity to repeal or replace ObamaCare (ACA) that they actually would?
The greatest 'fake news' of the last 7 years has been the countless and pointless repeal votes the House and Senate had passed before Trump.
Another piece of fake news that underlines this whole episode... is that most Republicans want Obamacare as the law of the land. Oh...sure...on one side of their mouth Republican politicians tell their base and voters that they are for repeal, but what is not publically revealed at those private fundraisers is that out of the other side, they tell those with a financial interest in healthcare, that the law will stand.
Many people do not realize how much big business WANTS ObamaCare to succeed. Who do you think changed Chief Justice Roberts vote from a 'NO' to a "YES' when the court was deciding the legality of ObamaCare? Someone whispered in his ear that he needed to change his vote. I Bet that whisper came from the big business community who are sick and tired (forgive the pun), of paying out health care benefits.
A lot more profit to the bottom line without healthcare benefits I bet.
2
What a shame that after only six months, the president is "fed up" with the paralysis of Washington and not getting his way and actually having people complain publicly about his agenda.
Perhaps he could ask Barack Obama for some advice on toughening up. He'll need the stamina if he expects to last eight years, as Obama did. Then again, how can you possibly withstand the rigors of the job when you come into office with no clue as to the tasks ahead and show no interest in learning how to lead?
Perhaps he could ask Barack Obama for some advice on toughening up. He'll need the stamina if he expects to last eight years, as Obama did. Then again, how can you possibly withstand the rigors of the job when you come into office with no clue as to the tasks ahead and show no interest in learning how to lead?
4
He should ask Hillary about being tough.
5
Just going by the President's tweets today the lunch today is a game-changer.
Apparently the Republicans never discuss how good Trumpcare really is and after lunch the bill will be even better! This is direct from the President to the American people.
Public support for Trumpcare is at about 20% today. Perhaps after lunch today Trump will explain to the American people how good this bill is.
Apparently the Republicans never discuss how good Trumpcare really is and after lunch the bill will be even better! This is direct from the President to the American people.
Public support for Trumpcare is at about 20% today. Perhaps after lunch today Trump will explain to the American people how good this bill is.
1
Totally depressing, except for the courageous 3 female Senators who actually spoke advocated for their most vulnerable constituents. And John Kasich has potential, but why would he cut funds for Planned Parenthood other than to appease the Republican Party. When I had only catastrophic insurance (promoted by Ted Cruz - Ted, don't you dare call yourself a Christian!) a top-notch Nurse Practitioner at Planned Parenthood found my breast cancer within 5 minutes of initiating a breast exam. The radiologist was insensitive and hardly trauma informed. Rather than go to a local surgeon in New Milford, CT (where they would undoubtedly have removed every limp node imaginable), I found Barbara Ward, a breast and ONLY breast surgeon who had been plucked away from Yale New Haven Hospital. Minimal limp removal, no limp involvement, less than 1 cm, tubular cancer (the SLOWEST growing), I am 17 years clear having rejected radiation and Tamoxifen. Eatin' kale and pasture raised lamb and Faroe Island salmon. The death spiral is largely due to the mass depression of our people who lead a sedentary lifestyle and self-medicate on sugar, pasta, and pizza. Get off your duff, America, stop blaming and complaining, eat farm-sourced foods you can TRUST, and MOVE!
Love the waynMcConnel and Trump are portrayed as the architects of legislative failure in this read -- and Schumer as mobilizer! I call this a win for the people, and won't be the first.
5
The GOP is tragically divided between different types of horrible people who all serve the 1% above all. If they accept that commonality maybe they can work together to work forward and accomplish more evil together.
2
Trump is "fed up"? After all the vast amount of time he spent studying and networking and generally neglecting his golf? The poor man. But how about the rest of American who are fed up with this travesty of a bill, not to mention the incompetence of this administration. Maybe Mr Trump should resign?
7
Why did it fail?
Because the people affected by the bill said "No."
They said it again and again and again.
Because the people affected by the bill said "No."
They said it again and again and again.
7
If Trump were watching his own debacle, he would undoubtedly recognize it as "a total disaster."
2
Isn't it just great that the POTUS is "bored' and "annoyed" by all of this health care stuff? Afterall, it's only other people's lives. This man is restless, irritable and discontent unless he's on the golf course or in chaos.
8
The Donald is fed up? Well, I guess that makes it unanimous.
15
"Mr. Trump was inviting all Republican senators to the White House on Wednesday — to talk about health care."
Yeah. Sure. He's just going to yell incoherently at them and ramble on about his election victory again.
Yeah. Sure. He's just going to yell incoherently at them and ramble on about his election victory again.
4
Does the majority of senate Republicans listen to the way the wind is bowing regarding healthcare? It's simple: Americans do not want to live in fear of getting sick or disabled and suffering bodily or financial ruin because of said affliction.
4
The issues are greater than attributing problems in the malfunctioning expensive health care system to insurance companies who treat their customers like cash cows.
The problem with health care in the US is that the US is the only country in the civilized world that still uses the insurance company based system for health care which is REGRESSIVE to the insured. In contrast, Canada, Japan and Western Europe use the single-payer health care system which is PROGRESSIVE to the insured.
Notwithstanding the positive developments of more affordable health care being offered to Americans under the ACA, the central issue on explaining the high costs for health care that has NOT been debated is that the U.S. insurance system of health coverage is REGRESSIVE. It is regressive in that a given policy with identified benefits will have a set price and this price is to be paid by all persons whether they are rich or poor. As a result, the rich buy the Cadillac versions and the poor the Skateboard versions.
In contrast the public single payer system of payments through taxes is PROGRESSIVE. In Canada, the government established that everyone has the right to have free access to health care. But the fact is that all health care expenses are paid by taxes and these payments of income taxes are progressive in that the more one makes in income the more one pays in taxes.
The universal health care system in Canada is not perfect, but it works. Also administration costs are much lower.
The problem with health care in the US is that the US is the only country in the civilized world that still uses the insurance company based system for health care which is REGRESSIVE to the insured. In contrast, Canada, Japan and Western Europe use the single-payer health care system which is PROGRESSIVE to the insured.
Notwithstanding the positive developments of more affordable health care being offered to Americans under the ACA, the central issue on explaining the high costs for health care that has NOT been debated is that the U.S. insurance system of health coverage is REGRESSIVE. It is regressive in that a given policy with identified benefits will have a set price and this price is to be paid by all persons whether they are rich or poor. As a result, the rich buy the Cadillac versions and the poor the Skateboard versions.
In contrast the public single payer system of payments through taxes is PROGRESSIVE. In Canada, the government established that everyone has the right to have free access to health care. But the fact is that all health care expenses are paid by taxes and these payments of income taxes are progressive in that the more one makes in income the more one pays in taxes.
The universal health care system in Canada is not perfect, but it works. Also administration costs are much lower.
4
When even the profit-over-all-else private insurance companies refused to support this draconian and nasty piece of legislation, you know it was bad.
And, why is Trump inviting the *Republican* senators to the WH today?
His spokesperson, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, quickly and ludicrously pointed a finger at Democrats when looking to place the blame for the bill's failure. How could that be, when it was crafted in secret, without input from the Democrats?! It just gets more and more absurd.
And, why is Trump inviting the *Republican* senators to the WH today?
His spokesperson, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, quickly and ludicrously pointed a finger at Democrats when looking to place the blame for the bill's failure. How could that be, when it was crafted in secret, without input from the Democrats?! It just gets more and more absurd.
6
Poor mister "Fed-Up" trump, worst president in US history, only to be equaled by the worst GOP/Republican Congress in US history with the exception of 3 Republican Senators, all women. Irony at its best.
6
Excluding Democrats from a lunch for healthcare policy revisions while blaming Dems for healthcare revision failure because they do not participate: Quite a tactical juggling act and yet another way to perpetuate the lies. Disgusting.
6
I can't wait to see the new tax bill. I am sure the Republicans are planning another secret attack on Medicare and Medicaid. They will surely also want to make sure that woman's bodies are men's property emulating the medieval practices of ISIS. Next they will cancel PBS, monitor the Internet and voting so they have a clear shot at destroying our justice system and and any remaining shreds of democracy. We must resist!
Unfortunately, I know it will never happen, but how I wish EVERY voter would remember that these men - and let's be honest, it's primarily men - had SEVEN years to plan for this day and draw up a "better" health plan. It was what they PROMISED us all!!! SEVEN YEARS. Let that number sink in. A child, born on the day they announced their opposition to Obamacare, is now awaiting his/her first day of second grade! In all that time, they did NOTHING. No research, no community outreach, no discussions with experts. No work AT ALL to prepare for the day when they could pass their version of a health plan. Instead, they give us a bill that was NOTHING but a huge tax cut for the most wealthy and an underhanded attempt to destroy Medicaid. How many of you have jobs that would allow you seven years to prepare for your big presentation and come up short? And, then, allow you to keep your job? NONE OF YOU, because no such job exists in the real world. So, why should Republicans be allowed to keep theirs? Why should they NOT have to pay a price for seven years of nothing but obstruction? They PROMISED you and me a better way. They came up empty. As citizens, if we do not hold them accountable, then we are to blame for this Country's problems and the state of politics. We will say to EVERY politician, from both parties, it's okay to do nothing for seven years. We will re-elect you. If we, the voters, send that message, then we broke the system. We will have to "own it".
3
"It is one thing to vote no, Mr. Trump told the group, according to one of the guests. It is another, the president said, to go on all of the Sunday shows and complain about it."
Hello, pot? I have kettle on the line for you.
Hello, pot? I have kettle on the line for you.
1
How the Senate Health Care Bill Failed:
1: Crack open a poorly informed president
2: Mix with an inability to understand the complications inherent in healthcare
3: Fold 52 senators married to ideology and orthodoxy, not compromise
4: Bake with seething resentment for "those people getting free stuff from my tax dollars"
5: Best served cold
1: Crack open a poorly informed president
2: Mix with an inability to understand the complications inherent in healthcare
3: Fold 52 senators married to ideology and orthodoxy, not compromise
4: Bake with seething resentment for "those people getting free stuff from my tax dollars"
5: Best served cold
13
Don't forget their confidence that God would intervene to pull their chestnuts out of the fire.
2
Boy. would I like to be a fly on the wall at that meeting today. I suspect that after Trump tries to blame them for the failure he is going to get major blowback from the attendees for his "leadership" on the issue which ranged from disinterested, to tepid to counterproductive. He better have his tail between his legs if he doesn't want them to start walking away from his Administration and the rest of the GOP agenda. But then again.............when he has he ever had his tail between his legs......except under the sheets.
They got nothin'. That's how. The party of Greed, Ignorance and Spite.
7
What our Deal-Doer-In-Chief needs to do is invite the leadership of BOTH parties to the WH and have an old fashioned "come to Jesus" meeting where nobody leaves until an agreement is made. That would be leadership.
3
"... invite the leadership of BOTH parties to ... meeting where nobody leaves until an agreement is made. That would be leadership."
No, that would be false imprisonment. May be called something else in that jurisdiction but that's what it's called here.
No, that would be false imprisonment. May be called something else in that jurisdiction but that's what it's called here.
1
Well.... McConnel has proven that he can only play defense. The "Great Tactician" is guilty of violating the "Johnson 1st Lesson".
Knowing how to count votes... not hoping you have them, not wishing for them, not letting the bill itself convince, in short....McConnel can't count! He thought he would try some secret double jujitsu, hidden ball trick, 'I'm the Leader" chicanery on his own caucus?! McConnel can't count.
Knowing how to count votes... not hoping you have them, not wishing for them, not letting the bill itself convince, in short....McConnel can't count! He thought he would try some secret double jujitsu, hidden ball trick, 'I'm the Leader" chicanery on his own caucus?! McConnel can't count.
3
It failed because a few women decided to grow a spine last-minute
11
A conscience, not a spine.
4
Amen, Sisters!
2
Where is the best deal maker in the world?
2
another day closer to my medicare and the guys I workout with all place bets on nothing at all ever being completed with this guy in charge. i mean the pence is just as weird but he can speak in coherent & complete sentences. that would be a plus. but as for the gop and their policy, their base can see how effectively they are spending Everyone's money. where oh where is the boss going this weekend?
1
Medicare makes the rich pay higher premiums. My wife and I pay it what we used to pay for private insurance when she initially retired.
The Wednesday meeting is a discussion about strategy and process, not about realities of our national health care needs. Those present have not held public hearings to hear from hospital administrators, physicians currently in practice, nurses, nursing home workers — the people who know the realities on the ground. It is with a guy who has a malignant personality disorder that drives his cavalier dismissal of the fallout of human suffering from sabotaging the ACA. This is malignant spectacle.
3
Far from "The Art of the Deal" once again we see that Trump has no deal-making or negotiation skills. To build a solution for health care, one must start with the citizens and work backward to policy, not the other way around. Unless the GOP is willing to work to improve the ACA this will eventually lead to single payer in 4 years. Again we have seen that Trump does not care about making a deal. He only cares about obliterating any legislation that was enacted under Obama. He is a very tiny man and an impotent leader. Sad!
8
Trump's life experience obviously convinced him that he has magical hypnotic powers.
As people in the construction industry know all too well, Trumps "deal-making" skills amount to a remarkable ability to lie and swindle. He's known as "Don the Con" for good reason. He fits right in with today's Republican party. Lincoln and TR would be ashamed. Grant would be ashamed. Hey, even Warren Harding would be ashamed.
3
I wish the NYT and other media would stop referring to the slightly less hard-core right-wing Republicans as moderates. They are not. They are hard core right-wingers whose colleagues inhabit the extreme boundaries of the ultra-right, and who are conveniently posturing against the bill to keep from being dumped by an extremist in the next primary.
2
Who knew that obstruction would be so complicated?
4
Throughout this conversation with ourselves, and to be sure in the name of "equivalence" and "balance," we have heard this from the media: "The Democrats did the same thing." This is a falsehood.
Yes, the Dems were forced to write the bill themselves because no Senate Republicans would work with them because it was more important to force President Obama to fail.
Second, many Republican ideas were used to write this bill and a bi-partisan effort was solicited and deployed throughout, with a free-market-place plan as the centerpiece.
Third, and importantly, the goals surely are not "the same thing." Democrats worked to secure health insurance for millions of Americans, laying the groundwork for universal coverage. Their end game was a good one, and everyone knew the plan would need tweaks along the way.
The right-wing Republican end-game, as always, has been a self-centered "health-care plan" without an idea, that would serve to disenfranchise the voices of opposition, while they once again enrich themselves and their wealthy donors with the money they will "save" by putting millions of Americans' lives at risk.
Add this so-called president to the mix and you get nothing but institutionalized cruelty, without an idea in sight for how to improve the lives of working and middle-class Americans.
This election was the Great American Fakeout.
marylouisemarkle
State College
Yes, the Dems were forced to write the bill themselves because no Senate Republicans would work with them because it was more important to force President Obama to fail.
Second, many Republican ideas were used to write this bill and a bi-partisan effort was solicited and deployed throughout, with a free-market-place plan as the centerpiece.
Third, and importantly, the goals surely are not "the same thing." Democrats worked to secure health insurance for millions of Americans, laying the groundwork for universal coverage. Their end game was a good one, and everyone knew the plan would need tweaks along the way.
The right-wing Republican end-game, as always, has been a self-centered "health-care plan" without an idea, that would serve to disenfranchise the voices of opposition, while they once again enrich themselves and their wealthy donors with the money they will "save" by putting millions of Americans' lives at risk.
Add this so-called president to the mix and you get nothing but institutionalized cruelty, without an idea in sight for how to improve the lives of working and middle-class Americans.
This election was the Great American Fakeout.
marylouisemarkle
State College
12
Why don't those idiots expect to have done unto themselves what they do unto others?
1
Wait.
Trump got bored doing something for spite, one of his strongest driving forces?
What happens when he needs to address a complicated problem where the security and well beingl of the country is at stake? Is he going to get bored and give up? Do something foolish because he can't be bothered to think things through?
Trump got bored doing something for spite, one of his strongest driving forces?
What happens when he needs to address a complicated problem where the security and well beingl of the country is at stake? Is he going to get bored and give up? Do something foolish because he can't be bothered to think things through?
4
I don't think the words "be bothered to" are needed in your last sentence.
1
Why, he will delegate it all to his drippy son-in-law, if he lasts that long.
2
Proof that the electorate is more powerful than the Electoral College.
2
And wiser!
Why doesn't it just quit and blame it on everyone else? Better yet, take Pence and Ryan with him.
5
Pence, Ryan, and McConnell all believe they are God's favorite pet goldfish. If there is a God, He probably had to wait for eternity for a farce like this.
and mcconnell
1
Don't forget McConnell.
1
The best failure ever for the "under 1% of earners" population. Trump and his GOP supporters in Congress deserve this loss. Hopefully, this foreshadows the rest of the GOP agenda ...
1
Why does the US, the only industrialized nation without universal health coverage, also have not only the highest health-care spending in the world—both in absolute terms and as a share of GDP—but also one of the highest levels of government spending on health care per person? And how did it come to be this way?
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/a-history-of-why-the-us-is-the-only-ric...
A good read!
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/a-history-of-why-the-us-is-the-only-ric...
A good read!
2
It all rests on psychopathological public policies like arming up citizens to shoot each other and pose a credible threat of armed insurrection. People who are sick in the head tend to get sick in their bodies too.
1
A humiliating and epic climbdown for the GOP, and it's not over yet, because now they have no choice but to work with the Dems on repairing the ACA.
And after that, another epic climbdown looms, over climate change. Already many Republicans have fallen strangely silent on the issue. Truly the GOP painted itself into some terrible corners.
And after that, another epic climbdown looms, over climate change. Already many Republicans have fallen strangely silent on the issue. Truly the GOP painted itself into some terrible corners.
They have proven beyond reasonable doubt that they never were anything more than sand poured into gearboxes.
1
Trump makes me laugh! He is soused to playing God in the business world, with his decision being final, that he simply has no idea what to do when he isn't immediately obeyed, and saying "you're fired" is not an option. Here's hoping that he gets "fed up" with playing president, and takes measures to relieve himself of that frustration.
4
That was obviously supposed to be "so used to".
Trump expected God to handle everything for him. The evangelicals told him that they expect God to work in mysterious ways.
1
I wish I could say that your response isn't true, but as we speak, Mike Pence is looking up Bible verses to explain his misfortune.
"How the Senate Health Care Bill Failed ..."
The Senate health care bill failed because today's GOP is a failure by any measure.
The Senate health care bill failed because today's GOP is a failure by any measure.
2
Trump complains about the Senators going on tv to complain about the bill. All Trump does is complain (and lay blame elsewhere). He is totally lacking in self-awareness.
5
Words like "introspection" are too abstract for these folks to grasp.
1
This is not governing. This is not leadership. This is at least as bad as Trump's opponents imagined, handing over control of the executive branch to a rank amateur surrounded by openly hostile assistants and enabled by a party with no plan of action.
350
The current incarnation of the GOP is not interested in governing, it's interested in ruling. How else can one explain why the vast majority of Republican senators still supported the bill despite catastrophically bad CBO projections and polls showing public support for it in the low teens? Clearly the party line is more important to them than their constituents.
2
Nothing will change until those making and deciding policy on health care actually have to utilize it themselves and live with the outcome of their vote. The current situation defies logic.
1
Wait until they try and overhaul the tax code so that the rich can get richer.
2
This is the Great Negotiator at work? This is the art of a purported deal maker? Just demand "Get it done or I'll be very angry", then run off to play golf? We send men and women to Washington DC to govern, not to demand, whine, insult, and pout when they don't get their way.
The American people see this repeal nonsense for what it is- just a ploy for more huge tax cuts for the rich, period. It does nothing to address the needs of ordinary citizens, and in fact makes their lives more difficult. Fortunately, the ACA is not going to collapse any time soon, and until we get the legislative courage to enact Single Payer coverage, both parties can get together and discus the parts of the ACA that actually need adjusting, like prescription drug coverage and rising deductibles.
The American people see this repeal nonsense for what it is- just a ploy for more huge tax cuts for the rich, period. It does nothing to address the needs of ordinary citizens, and in fact makes their lives more difficult. Fortunately, the ACA is not going to collapse any time soon, and until we get the legislative courage to enact Single Payer coverage, both parties can get together and discus the parts of the ACA that actually need adjusting, like prescription drug coverage and rising deductibles.
1
Will this GOP lunch be a "sit-down" in which President Trump excoriates some individuals, praises others, and goes around the table to ask everyone to pledge their loyalty to the President and give him something to sign?
Here's a question to consider. Does Trump really want to improve the U.S. health care system, or just a photo opportunity with positive media coverage?
Here's a question to consider. Does Trump really want to improve the U.S. health care system, or just a photo opportunity with positive media coverage?
2
Donald Trump is in way out of his depths here. Between his unfamiliarity with healthcare ('who would have ever known it could be so complicated?') and his unfamiliarity with political leadership ('I tell people what to do and they do it'), Trump should never have waded into any of this.
This awful debacle shows that managing a business in no way translates to managing the White House.
This awful debacle shows that managing a business in no way translates to managing the White House.
367
NM: What Trump has "managed" in the past is an autocratic organization inherited from his dad, with a sketchy revenue model based on selling dubious products and services, scamming, and threatening customers and suppliers with lawsuits, if they don't conform.
Not IBM or GE. Not Apple or Tesla. Not a real business.
Not IBM or GE. Not Apple or Tesla. Not a real business.
6
And look how he manages his businesses. No bank will give him a loan and all those law suits.
4
It's questionable as to whether Trump can even manage a business, considering his six bankruptcies.
4
Because our self-proclaimed very smart president has zero personal experience with the economic and scheduling frustrations of obtaining and paying for medical care, he is singularly unqualified to prescribe remedies. A truly intelligent person might have undertaken an educational journey beyond the sanctuary of Trump tower and personal jetliners into the healthcare heartland to discover what ordinary Americans have to deal with. But this president is aloof in the worst sort of way, like the rest of his family. Lacking intellectual curiosity and courage, he is content to pout and insult others now that his fantasies of greatness are exposed.
2
Given Trump's virtually incoherent twitter tirade over the last two days regarding health care legislation I have to believe reasonable people have to be concerned about Trump's mental faculties. Perhaps he is capable of expressing himself more coherently in other venues but these twitter posts over the last 48 hours when taken in their entirety signal a type of degeneration we never see in political discourse.
2
I seriously doubt that Trump or any of the GOP leaders care what is actually in the legislation since it doesn't have any effect on their personal family health. They only care about saying they repealed Obamacare.
4
Seventeen Republican men in a room could not come up with a viable health plan. There are twenty women in the US Senate. I expect if we put them together in a room they would come up with a viable bi-partisan health plan within 48 hours.
5
I've been hearing and reading one commentator after another saying the Republicans and Trump need to put a win on the board. As if harming millions upon millions constitutes a win.
547
Wins are whatever the public is told is winning . Just like Iraq
2
I think it is far much better for Republicans and Trump not to put a win on the board for people in this country. Their loss save our lives. So, please keep losing!!
2
That shows you the black heart of today's Republican party. People lose health care and the republicans call that a win?
2
Anyone reading this should be forgiven for thinking that grassroots, self-organized people had nothing to do with the bill's defeat. In fact, people--individuals as well as "Patient advocate groups"--hit the streets, called their senators and effectively spread the word. Many have speculated this was key to Sen. Moran withdrawing support, and impacted the decision-making of many senators. Please cover the people too; we're part of the story.
2
It is now time for the Democrats to jump in the ring and do their utmost to get the two o three allies they need from the Republicans to shore up the ACA markets before they fully collapse.
For the Republicans, destroying the ACA is an issue of saving face and has no rational basis. Any Republican willing to work with the Democrats on this issue will effectively end their political career; this means the Democrats must try to find those rare altruistic Republicans willing to put the welfare of the country ahead of the political interests. Do altruistic Republicans even exist? Finding them will be a very tall order, no doubt.
For the Republicans, destroying the ACA is an issue of saving face and has no rational basis. Any Republican willing to work with the Democrats on this issue will effectively end their political career; this means the Democrats must try to find those rare altruistic Republicans willing to put the welfare of the country ahead of the political interests. Do altruistic Republicans even exist? Finding them will be a very tall order, no doubt.
Given the monstrosity that the Senate bill was, I am thoroughly glad that this process failed, but what I find just incredible is the inability of Donald Trump to negotiate a settlement here where all the cards were stacked the GOP's way. This is the guy who sold himself to his followers as the so called master of the Art of the Deal and yet he has failed at every significant negotiation he has participated in since he took office. He seems to be lacking in that one important character trait that any great negotiator needs to have: patience. Instead of sticking things out, he gets bored quickly, blames somebody else for his own failure, and moves on. I'm just as glad for this, but what a fraud.
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Running a real estate business for profit is NOT governing; the requirements for negotiating with the Congress are so very different from the so called 'art of the deal'. He will keep failing repeatedly.
1
That Trump is a negotiator, let alone a good negotiator, is pure fantasy,
1
D'ya think it'll teach him a little humility? In your dreams . . .
2
Can't wait to see the photos coming out after today's luncheon. I'm sure Trump will have Senator Collins seated right next to him again trying to schmooze or intimidate her. I have no concern that Collins will stand strong. I wish there were more like her in the Senate.
4
Looking at the big picture. Voters elected Trump because they saw that the Congress and the Presidency no longer seemed to be working towards the needs of the average worker. Elitists working for idealistic causes and not fixing the very real problems of the middle class and blue collar workers.
The failure of passage of the Healthcare bill is simply the epitome of the same problem. Trump got himself elected advertising populist causes, but has no intention of doing anything whatsoever to further those causes. Moreover, the Republican leaders are every bit as culpable as Democrats in pursuing idealistic issues rather than the needs of the average American worker.
Healthcare collapsed because there are precious few, but a few, Senators who tore themselves away from the Congressional elitists and recognize the damage the elitists were about to do. Budgets and Tax reform will likely go the same way. We have an aloof, disinterested, ignorant President and Republican leadership will pursue nothing but idealistic, supply side theory.
The only solution is in the hands of the voters. If you want the status quo, the same idealistic fools who have perpetuated the problem with US government then keep voting for your same Senators and Representatives. And if you put the same leaders back in power, quit pointing fingers. Voters caused this problem; voters can fix it by responsible voting.
The failure of passage of the Healthcare bill is simply the epitome of the same problem. Trump got himself elected advertising populist causes, but has no intention of doing anything whatsoever to further those causes. Moreover, the Republican leaders are every bit as culpable as Democrats in pursuing idealistic issues rather than the needs of the average American worker.
Healthcare collapsed because there are precious few, but a few, Senators who tore themselves away from the Congressional elitists and recognize the damage the elitists were about to do. Budgets and Tax reform will likely go the same way. We have an aloof, disinterested, ignorant President and Republican leadership will pursue nothing but idealistic, supply side theory.
The only solution is in the hands of the voters. If you want the status quo, the same idealistic fools who have perpetuated the problem with US government then keep voting for your same Senators and Representatives. And if you put the same leaders back in power, quit pointing fingers. Voters caused this problem; voters can fix it by responsible voting.
The only thing causing this problem is the fact that Republicans have consistently been lying about Obamacare on the one hand, all while promising to lower premiums and improve care on the other hand.
If they would have stuck to lying about Obamacare and would have proposed a narrative that explains why repealing it and as such destroying the health insurance of 32 million Americans all while doubling premiums was the best thing to do for the country, they might have gotten away with it.
Or if they would have been serious about improving Obamacare all while admitting what it really is and does, they could have easily worked with moderate Democrats to fix the last problems Obamacare still doesn't solve yet.
But they preferred to create a narrative that was as false as it was impossible to govern based on it ... simply because, as Senator Portman himself admitted, they never thought they would have won the presidency in 2016, so their strategy was merely political, and aimed at denying the Democrats the votes needed in Congress and then end up with healthcare that the vast majority of the American people would like - an idea that remains a nightmare for most elected Republicans, as it would prove that the emperor has no clothes and that Democrats deserve to be rewarded during the next elections for their courage and vision.
In the meanwhile, the dealmaker-in-chief continues fiddling - in other words tweeting and whining, without engaging in any real negotiations...
If they would have stuck to lying about Obamacare and would have proposed a narrative that explains why repealing it and as such destroying the health insurance of 32 million Americans all while doubling premiums was the best thing to do for the country, they might have gotten away with it.
Or if they would have been serious about improving Obamacare all while admitting what it really is and does, they could have easily worked with moderate Democrats to fix the last problems Obamacare still doesn't solve yet.
But they preferred to create a narrative that was as false as it was impossible to govern based on it ... simply because, as Senator Portman himself admitted, they never thought they would have won the presidency in 2016, so their strategy was merely political, and aimed at denying the Democrats the votes needed in Congress and then end up with healthcare that the vast majority of the American people would like - an idea that remains a nightmare for most elected Republicans, as it would prove that the emperor has no clothes and that Democrats deserve to be rewarded during the next elections for their courage and vision.
In the meanwhile, the dealmaker-in-chief continues fiddling - in other words tweeting and whining, without engaging in any real negotiations...
2
If Trump had been elected POTUS 25 years ago, he might have made a competent president (not saying "good" - just competent). In this article, compare the news clips from the 80's - 90's to recent clips: https://www.statnews.com/2017/05/23/donald-trump-speaking-style-interviews/ Why such a shocking cognitive decline over the decades? Contributing factors include a lifetime of bad food, no exercise, no reading, and the propecia drug he uses for his hair. I'm the same age as Trump, as are many of my friends; this degree of mental decline is not normal - believe me. I doubt that the 25th amendment will be invoked in the current partisan climate, but the evidence is out there.
Also genetics. His father had Alzheimers.
The Republicans got a lot of mileage out of badmouthing "Obamacare" when the public didn't know what it was.
Now, everyone knows that the Republican bill would have deprived 22 million people of health care coverage -- and while this may surprise Mitch McConnell and Donald Trump, the American public doesn't want to leave society's sickest and most vulnerable people without care.
So thank you, Republicans. Your cruel proposals scared a lot of people whose insurance was endangered, but in the process, you reminded the American public of just what you're made out of, and of of how lucky we were to have a president who cared more about the people of this country than tax cuts for the rich.
Now, everyone knows that the Republican bill would have deprived 22 million people of health care coverage -- and while this may surprise Mitch McConnell and Donald Trump, the American public doesn't want to leave society's sickest and most vulnerable people without care.
So thank you, Republicans. Your cruel proposals scared a lot of people whose insurance was endangered, but in the process, you reminded the American public of just what you're made out of, and of of how lucky we were to have a president who cared more about the people of this country than tax cuts for the rich.
1
The President gets to be "fed up" when others don't do his job for him? Does the flight's captain get to be fed up with passengers?
Were one of us in position to invite in health care insurance executives with their actuarial and accounting experts, we could learn a lot about how health care financing works in the US. Were we to invite similar people from physician groups and hospital administrators, we'd learn what’s happening, what’s not working, what might work.
Were we to invite experts from CMA, the federal agency charged with Medicare, and others from the Public Health Service, we'd gain understanding. Were we to invite similar representatives from states as well as advocacy groups, we'd discover things we never knew.
Were one to do such things, he wouldn't be fed up, he’d be prepared. He'd be in position to demand the feasible, dismiss the ridiculous, and take ownership and show leadership of his plan for accomplishment and success.
If only ...
Were one of us in position to invite in health care insurance executives with their actuarial and accounting experts, we could learn a lot about how health care financing works in the US. Were we to invite similar people from physician groups and hospital administrators, we'd learn what’s happening, what’s not working, what might work.
Were we to invite experts from CMA, the federal agency charged with Medicare, and others from the Public Health Service, we'd gain understanding. Were we to invite similar representatives from states as well as advocacy groups, we'd discover things we never knew.
Were one to do such things, he wouldn't be fed up, he’d be prepared. He'd be in position to demand the feasible, dismiss the ridiculous, and take ownership and show leadership of his plan for accomplishment and success.
If only ...
Big, decisive legislation requires POTUS involvement, commitment and understanding.
Like him or not Obama possessed all three and the ACA became law.
DJT could care less ("let it fail") and we see the result.
The amazing thing is that most in DC expect comprehensive tax reform to be more complicated than the healthcare battle.
Given the 2018 midterms are not far off, it is hard to see this administration or Congress passing anything of substance before the House majority changes or DJT leaves office.
It is still not clear what will happen first!
Like him or not Obama possessed all three and the ACA became law.
DJT could care less ("let it fail") and we see the result.
The amazing thing is that most in DC expect comprehensive tax reform to be more complicated than the healthcare battle.
Given the 2018 midterms are not far off, it is hard to see this administration or Congress passing anything of substance before the House majority changes or DJT leaves office.
It is still not clear what will happen first!
1
The failure is a simple story with one element of surprise:
1. The nihilist wing of the party devised a set of variations on a proposal that may be the most unpopular bill in US legislative history.
2. For once in her life, a GOP moderate said no when it counted, while more pressure came from that same nihilist wing, angry that one candle had been left burning.
1. The nihilist wing of the party devised a set of variations on a proposal that may be the most unpopular bill in US legislative history.
2. For once in her life, a GOP moderate said no when it counted, while more pressure came from that same nihilist wing, angry that one candle had been left burning.
1
The Trumpcare legislation was a debacle because the whole process seemed less like lawmaking and more like an incoherent, slow-motion, right-wing riot against the safety-net by the one percent. It's time now for Republican House and Senate members to stop acting like children. They need to stop running away from their freaked-out constituents and stop pushing away the Democrats as though they had "cooties". It's time for them to listen to the adults in their caucus (John Kasich and John McCain for instance) and start working with Democrats, Governors, and their constituents.
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"It's time now for Republican House and Senate members to stop acting like children."
If you ask me, it's time to dump the GOP, period. They don't represent the American people, they represent oligarchs, a kleptocrat (Trump charging "rent" for government businesses in his properties), and the super-rich who have no idea what the "little people" have to go through to survive.
If you ask me, it's time to dump the GOP, period. They don't represent the American people, they represent oligarchs, a kleptocrat (Trump charging "rent" for government businesses in his properties), and the super-rich who have no idea what the "little people" have to go through to survive.
5
Your right, but they can't. They want the ones with money to have more. And for some the treasure in right here, not in Heaven. And it is about control. And the "Trump is Fed Up", doesn't take much for that to happen. I figured out things in high school. And my dad didn't tell people what to eat. :)
2
You're right, of course. Do you think it will happen? What you describe sounds too much like governing and I'm afraid that stacks the odds against it.
A health care bill must provide opportunities for health care for all who need or want it. None of the Republican bills or suggestions to date do that. Efforts by the Republicans severely restrict health care and, at least in the House version, greatly benefit the wealthy who by definition do not need more help -- they are already wealthy.
The ACA is not perfect and I say that as a retired hospital-level patient advocate who held great hopes for the ACA. However, the Republicans have had eight years now to come up with something and they have only suggested plans that are worse for people. This country desperately needs leadership on this difficult issue. We do not need another Republican plan that destroys the hopes of lower income and middle income Americans while lining the pockets of the wealthy.
The ACA is not perfect and I say that as a retired hospital-level patient advocate who held great hopes for the ACA. However, the Republicans have had eight years now to come up with something and they have only suggested plans that are worse for people. This country desperately needs leadership on this difficult issue. We do not need another Republican plan that destroys the hopes of lower income and middle income Americans while lining the pockets of the wealthy.
26
The bill faltered because how much inertia towards passing could there be if the popularity is below 20% ? That is not to say that the efforts will suddenly stop.
No, the inertia now is how to convince those Senators on the cusp ( of being voted out in 2018\2020 ) that a Trillion dollar tax cut ( or so ) for the rich is worth the expense of tens of thousands of lives. ( let alone all the hardship and pain that will be inflicted on the still living )
Then of course, there are the republican governors that need to somehow offset the massive cuts to their medicaid grants.
They don't vote in Senate though and are expendable as well .
No, the inertia now is how to convince those Senators on the cusp ( of being voted out in 2018\2020 ) that a Trillion dollar tax cut ( or so ) for the rich is worth the expense of tens of thousands of lives. ( let alone all the hardship and pain that will be inflicted on the still living )
Then of course, there are the republican governors that need to somehow offset the massive cuts to their medicaid grants.
They don't vote in Senate though and are expendable as well .
7
if the Republicans want to win the mid terms in 2018, they will do what Democrats failed to unite to do in 2009: Put forward a staged move to Medicare for all that includes price negotiations of prescriptions, imaging etc. Medicare already spends half of what private insurance corporations spend on administration; and every single basic healthcare procedure is less expensive... saving hundreds of millions. Start by subsidising and expanding Medicare for people 55.
Wasn't the whole thesis of the Trump candidacy that as president he would be able to use his business acumen and negotiating skills to get consensus on a legislative agenda?
What he has shown during the healthcare debate is a remarkable lack of understanding about policy details, an unwillingness to do the hard work of preparing for discussions on proposed legislation, and a lack of any ability to get legislators to shift their positions to reach an agreement.
Whether his supporters are willing to concede that they were conned by empty self-promotion may be irrelevant, House and Senate leaders, congresspeople, senators, and governors now know that Trump is singularly unable to get his own party to agree on a long-held legislative priority. With his weakness exposed, Republican legislators and governors will be emboldened to chart their own course with an eye toward their own political goals and careers.
What he has shown during the healthcare debate is a remarkable lack of understanding about policy details, an unwillingness to do the hard work of preparing for discussions on proposed legislation, and a lack of any ability to get legislators to shift their positions to reach an agreement.
Whether his supporters are willing to concede that they were conned by empty self-promotion may be irrelevant, House and Senate leaders, congresspeople, senators, and governors now know that Trump is singularly unable to get his own party to agree on a long-held legislative priority. With his weakness exposed, Republican legislators and governors will be emboldened to chart their own course with an eye toward their own political goals and careers.
22
The best salespeople understand the products they are trying to sell and the needs of their potential customers. President Trump neither understands nor actually cares about health care policies or the needs of the American population. Similarly, it is arguable that McConnell understands health care, but it is obvious that he does not care about the needs of his constituents. For both Trump and McConnell, it appears that this is all about ego and political theater.
18
Above and beyond the cruelty of the bill itself, the dismaying thing about this process is that the bill got as far as it did, with only a handful of senators standing in the way of passage - and that handful wanted to bill to be even crueler.
Still, this is one time we can be thankful that our president is lazy, has a remarkable short attention span, is indifferent to and incapable of understanding even the most basic policy arguments (not to mention the details), is accordingly unwilling to make much of a case for major policy changes, won't put whatever prestige he has on the line to try to persuade the public and manages a largely incompetent administration.
Still, this is one time we can be thankful that our president is lazy, has a remarkable short attention span, is indifferent to and incapable of understanding even the most basic policy arguments (not to mention the details), is accordingly unwilling to make much of a case for major policy changes, won't put whatever prestige he has on the line to try to persuade the public and manages a largely incompetent administration.
23
The health reform failed so far because the Republicans misled voters about the value of Obamacare. It was like telling someone their water is muddy to make them dissatisfied, but as soon as they tried to take the water away...people recognized its value.
Americans like having the college aged children covered, they like having protection against a denial of coverage based on a pre existing condition, and they don't want the safety net of medicaid removed.
Republicans would do well to work with Democrats to get the cost of prescription drugs down to what is charged in Canada, to develop a plan to lower the eligibility age to enter Medicare, perhaps with a buy in surcharge to make up the costs. What they should not do is obfuscate and cheer on the demise of Obamacare because that means they are cheering against the healthcare of their constituents.
Americans like having the college aged children covered, they like having protection against a denial of coverage based on a pre existing condition, and they don't want the safety net of medicaid removed.
Republicans would do well to work with Democrats to get the cost of prescription drugs down to what is charged in Canada, to develop a plan to lower the eligibility age to enter Medicare, perhaps with a buy in surcharge to make up the costs. What they should not do is obfuscate and cheer on the demise of Obamacare because that means they are cheering against the healthcare of their constituents.
48
I take exception to the writers who fail to state the tremendous grass-roots organizing by unions, community groups and patient advocacy groups that formed a wall of resistance to the Republicans attempts to dismantle the ACA. Yes, politicians and hospital administrators were important, but the real power was in the peoples' resistance.
64
Amen!!! The People untied cannot will not be defeated.
I couldn't agree more. There has been a strange silence from the press when it has come to coverage of the tremendous and sustained response from an overwhelming number of Americans to this administration. The Women's March was just an opening salvo. I'd like to hear about the weekly number of cards and calls flooding into D.C. I have a feeling it goes beyond any precedent and had a great deal to do with this horrific Trump"Care" defeat.
For all those who thought Donald Trump would never become President: You were right. He has no interest in governing - only in the adoration of his supporters. He would fail an eighth-grade civics test or a fifth-grade history test. He has no interest in studying or educating himself about anything other than his poll numbers and his media coverage. He has repeatedly embarrassed himself and our country on the world stage. Other leaders think he is a joke and openly ridicule him. He is the worst President in the history of the United States and he's not getting any better, folks. He has no loyalty to anyone other than himself. We'd all be better off, including Republicans, if we just ignore him and his incessant tweets, and get about the business of living our lives without a functioning President. Pick any issue -- health care, tax reform, infrastructure, climate change -- and my cat has more to bring to the table than Mr. Trump. At least my cat is warm, furry, and likes to cuddle. Someone hand him a TV remote and a cell phone and tell him to get out of the way.
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Didier's Cat in 2020. I'm on board!
1
Didier, I fear Trump has already been given his instructions. His job is to cause Twitter dust ups and other distractions and whip up his base while the rest of the the GOP does the bidding of their 1%er masters behind closed doors.
"a president who, one staff member said, was growing bored in selling the bill"
This, right here, THIS is the way to keep Trump in check. Democrats, learn a lesson for once.
Trump has the attention span of a ferret on a double espresso, and relentlessly dragging things out will eventually make him abandon support for whatever is being considered.
Even though his supporters don't quite get it, for the most part they have been the winners in this debacle - their party and king were prepared to leave millions of them without health insurance until the Democrats stepped in.
This, right here, THIS is the way to keep Trump in check. Democrats, learn a lesson for once.
Trump has the attention span of a ferret on a double espresso, and relentlessly dragging things out will eventually make him abandon support for whatever is being considered.
Even though his supporters don't quite get it, for the most part they have been the winners in this debacle - their party and king were prepared to leave millions of them without health insurance until the Democrats stepped in.
11
What was on the menu? Steak with ketchup? Salads with Russian dressing? Vanilla ice cream?
4
Unfortunately, I don't believe this is over. The Republican senators, who were happy to vote for this abysmal health care bill, are craven enough to hasten the collapse of the ACA health exchanges. They have amply shown that they do not care for the health and well being of the 32 million people who have insurance through the ACA. The Republican Party has embraced ideology over practicality and "anything to win" over morals and ethics.
20
It is obvious to me that the entire Trump effort to repeal the ACA is nothing more than a personal vendetta waged by Trump and ultra-conservative Republicans to erase President Obama's signature achievement. This was a juvenile game of king of the hill, to see who could stand on top of the pile. There never was any intent to make conditions better for the public. True to Republican form, they wrapped the whole mess up in a big tax cut for the wealthy because that's what Republicans always do. They are like robots that are programmed to cut taxes. They can't help themselves.
I'm the first to admit that the ACA has some serious problems and have stated so many times over on the site. But those problems can be fixed. Nothing the Republicans have done moves to that end. They have their erasers out and can't stop trying to rub out everything Barack Obama ever touched.
Trump only cares about winning. It's all about him. He will say anything to win. His words mean nothing. My mother always said, "Actions speak more loudly than words". Well, Trump has now acted. Can his supporters finally see what he really is now?
I'm the first to admit that the ACA has some serious problems and have stated so many times over on the site. But those problems can be fixed. Nothing the Republicans have done moves to that end. They have their erasers out and can't stop trying to rub out everything Barack Obama ever touched.
Trump only cares about winning. It's all about him. He will say anything to win. His words mean nothing. My mother always said, "Actions speak more loudly than words". Well, Trump has now acted. Can his supporters finally see what he really is now?
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No.
2
Bruce, I agree with all you say, but I don't think that this is the straw that will break Trump supporters' backs, because those that I know personally are either grossly uniformed or Fox News devotees (same thing, really). However, I do believe that the day will come when his minions will have to decide between being a supporter or being an American. Currently, we do not have a president in the White House, we have a Czar whose crown has not quite yet sufficiently tarnished in the eyes of his cult-like followers.
6
The failure of the The Trump DeathCare and WealthCare Act was the apogee of 35 years of intellectual, moral and economic bankruptcy by the Greed Over People caucus that spends 100% of its political time trying to step on the throats of America citizens.
Any other country that had a Parliament or elected body that was actively trying to maim and injure 20 million of its own citizens through the attempted Republican legislative assault we just witnessed would be cited by the Hague for attempted crimes against humanity....and that's what the Republican Party is today, a caucus that repeatedly tries to hurt its own citizens under the cover of political darkness.
They worked directly against the interests of most citizens, health care providers, insurance companies, patient advocate and disease groups and they didn't behind closed doors.
Republican Senators and Congressman get wonderful health care coverage and pensions themselves....and see no reason why Americans deserve similar consideration.
Look at the photo of Senate subway in this article; the Republican Congress is happy to provide themselves taxpayer-financed public mass transportation, but they refuse to fund Amtrak and the nation for their mass transportation needs.
The Russian-Republican Party has shown its Grand Old Patriotism in the last six months; they worship Russian-style oligarchy and Kremlin-style public policy.....the people and peasants be damned to Grand Old Poverty.
Domestic terrorists: GOP 2017
Any other country that had a Parliament or elected body that was actively trying to maim and injure 20 million of its own citizens through the attempted Republican legislative assault we just witnessed would be cited by the Hague for attempted crimes against humanity....and that's what the Republican Party is today, a caucus that repeatedly tries to hurt its own citizens under the cover of political darkness.
They worked directly against the interests of most citizens, health care providers, insurance companies, patient advocate and disease groups and they didn't behind closed doors.
Republican Senators and Congressman get wonderful health care coverage and pensions themselves....and see no reason why Americans deserve similar consideration.
Look at the photo of Senate subway in this article; the Republican Congress is happy to provide themselves taxpayer-financed public mass transportation, but they refuse to fund Amtrak and the nation for their mass transportation needs.
The Russian-Republican Party has shown its Grand Old Patriotism in the last six months; they worship Russian-style oligarchy and Kremlin-style public policy.....the people and peasants be damned to Grand Old Poverty.
Domestic terrorists: GOP 2017
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You have one misstatement in your otherwise excellent comment. The Senate subway is not "public." It's exclusively for the U.S. Senate, staff and no others. The peasants of Washington, D.C. must use the overcrowded, underfunded Metro.
5
do you have a Twitter feed I can follow?
1
Once Again Socrates, you are on point... The Do As I Say But Not As I Do GOP is at it again... Your reference to the peasantry class is apt to the modern day Republican Party... It makes so much sense that they are attracted to the Russian - Style Oligarchy and the Kemlin - Style Public Policy.... The GOP - "The Let Them Eat Cake" party...
1
What does the GOP know about health care for working Americans? For that matter what do any of the elected representatives in DC know about our health care or our needs? They hear anecdotes and extrapolate from them to create "data" to support their theories on who deserves or doesn't deserve health care. Not one of them has had to go through the gauntlet that is our health care system. They don't have to worry about large deductibles, narrow networks, lost or denied claims, fragmented or denied care, etc. They have an excellent health plan courtesy of US taxpayers. The very rich are well protected from medical bankruptcy or the death panels known also as health insurance companies.
Does Washington know or care about how many Americans do not receive health care they need in a timely manner? Do they understand how it feels to be forced to choose between bad scenarios and have to spend money that can't be spent because it's needed for the bills, for food, for shelter, or to pay for a prescription while not paying for another one? Of course not. In America we no longer call hunger for the poor hunger: it's food insecurity. Maybe we should start to call our health care system what it is: a well tended wealth care system where patients lose. Wealth care in America is not health care. Without access to health care we have no public health policy because it can't be enforced if people can't afford the care.
Thank you wealth care industry and DC for nothing.
Does Washington know or care about how many Americans do not receive health care they need in a timely manner? Do they understand how it feels to be forced to choose between bad scenarios and have to spend money that can't be spent because it's needed for the bills, for food, for shelter, or to pay for a prescription while not paying for another one? Of course not. In America we no longer call hunger for the poor hunger: it's food insecurity. Maybe we should start to call our health care system what it is: a well tended wealth care system where patients lose. Wealth care in America is not health care. Without access to health care we have no public health policy because it can't be enforced if people can't afford the care.
Thank you wealth care industry and DC for nothing.
81
The thing is there are many Trump supporters who truly believe that Healthcare is not a right but earned. So while you may think this is a DC thing these people put Trump in place to repeal the ACA and want him to stop at nothing short of that.
1
No effective, reliable or fair legislation regarding 'Care' is ever going to emerge from a group of people who consistently uphold money and power over others as their values.
What kind of representative would think to let health care fail for millions because it was achieved under another president? The rationale for destroying the ACA is founded in hate, pure and simple.
What kind of representative would think to let health care fail for millions because it was achieved under another president? The rationale for destroying the ACA is founded in hate, pure and simple.
186
The kind that is single-minded about undoing the other president's accomplishments because the other president was black.
4
We know the neither potus nor the Republicans has any ideas that can get them past the impass. I wouldn't expect much from the meeting, mostly for trump's ego.
34
One hopes crow is on the menu.
3
"Now what Mr. Trump once described as “an easy” process appears destined to stall his policy agenda, and has damaged his diminished standing on Capitol Hill."
That just sums up the Trump presidency in one sentence. The fact that he thought passing a healthcare bill would be "easy." The man's lack of preparation and respect for the position he holds is astounding.
That just sums up the Trump presidency in one sentence. The fact that he thought passing a healthcare bill would be "easy." The man's lack of preparation and respect for the position he holds is astounding.
355
Let's remember: The Dems got 60 to pass the ACA.
2
I must disagree with your words "damaged his diminished standing".......he has not had any standing for several months; at least, not enough to sustain damage.
2
The analysis is correct as far as it goes. But most importantly the public overwhelmingly opposed the bill. Prople are loss averse, much more concerned about losing what they have than possibly gaining something better. That worked for the GOP in opposing the ACA but against them when trying to repeal it because in general the ACA worked.
72
I had this dream while sleeping a few days ago, but it was realistic: I saw Trump on TV announcing that he was going to cross Antarctica from end to end, on foot, wearing his usual clothes and carrying only a small backpack full of provisions necessary for a short trip, because he, Trump, was going to perform that exploit in just a few days! “It’s gonna be a beautiful feat, folks! Just beautiful!” A few days later, he was back on TV saying: “Nobody knew how COLD it gets in Antarctica, and just how BIG the place is!... All that ice and snow! And the wind! Unbelievable wind!... Well, I am still going to do it, nothing to it, folks!... I will give you all the details in the very near future about how I plan to do it!”
140
You mean he actually trekked for 2 days without noticing the huge iceberg that broke off Antarctica or falling in the crack?
https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/science/2017/07/18/antarctica-iceber...
https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/science/2017/07/18/antarctica-iceber...
Trump is a lazy, lilly livered, ill tempered, malcontented misantrope.
Translation: he is ill equipped and ill suited for his current position. It means that there is doubt that other, more challenging issues will get resolved, i.e. tax cuts, infrastructure rebuilding, extension of the debt-ceiling and the budget. His presidency has been a failure so far and things can get much worse unless he starts taking responsibility for everything that comes across his desk.
Translation: he is ill equipped and ill suited for his current position. It means that there is doubt that other, more challenging issues will get resolved, i.e. tax cuts, infrastructure rebuilding, extension of the debt-ceiling and the budget. His presidency has been a failure so far and things can get much worse unless he starts taking responsibility for everything that comes across his desk.
107
... Mr. Trump was inviting "all Republican senators" to the White House on Wednesday ...
Anybody else see a problem with this?
Anybody else see a problem with this?
244
Yes, you would think that just this once one of those senators would have the common sense to suggest working this out across the aisle.
1
No. He is going to browbeat them unmercifully. They are welcome to attend that function. Not one mind will change, however.
1
Yes. Why no Dems?
3
Maybe Trump will do as Trump does and quit, when things get bad for him. He resorts to child like tantrums via Twitter, in e-mail, in interviews and in press briefings.
When you think about some famous absolute rulers, they also suffered from their inferiority complexes. And, they used various means to lash out.
Trump has acted like a person who always got his way, but is finding that impossible being a politician and leader of the United States.
He would do this country, and the world, a favor and resign. He does not have the acumen to be a CEO, a business leader or President of the United States.
When you think about some famous absolute rulers, they also suffered from their inferiority complexes. And, they used various means to lash out.
Trump has acted like a person who always got his way, but is finding that impossible being a politician and leader of the United States.
He would do this country, and the world, a favor and resign. He does not have the acumen to be a CEO, a business leader or President of the United States.
269
True, but if he resigns we're stuck with Pence.
1
Most absolute rulers were more competent.
2
I wonder why the Democrats are so quiet.........this is the perfect time to be shouting from the rooftops and pointing fingers at the Republican-controlled Congress. C'mon, Democrats.....do not let this opportunity slip away!
4