Shame on the Republican Party!
8
The GOPs proved once and for all that they are a party of traitors out to hurt Americans. No one can justify this stupid health care stunt, which is not a bill at all. No one in his or her right mind can condone the cruel, thoughtless behavior of these white male thugs, who have sold out their country once too often. The revolution will indeed be televised, and these scoundrels, including the duplicitous John McCain, will never be forgiven for their moral and legislative turpitude.
9
Shame, shame, double shame. Everybody knows your name.
6
The right wing Republicans demonstrate why we need significant money put into mental health services...They are craaazy with their religious right based, Ayn Rand pseudo philosophy of radical individualism. In other words they are not in touch with reality...a lot like the President.
6
I'm not sure what makes me the most angry: Republicans with their slash-and-burn mentality on health care, or their constituents who let them get away with it. Partisanship has led our country down a stony path and will no doubt be help usher in our end.
6
America does not support the ACA repeal. Thus the ban on transgender people in the military. Distract and give red meat to the base. And this base is easily distractible and easily fooled.
6
How long do we have to put up with this farce when most people prefer Obamacare to anything the Republicans have come up with? Can't someone just drive a stake through Mitch McConnell's heart?
11
Why I care so much about this travesty.... my daughter
She SURVIVED a brain tumor at age six
Has pre-existing conditions to fix
WORRIED what will happen to her
When I'm gone and she has no care
Hope the congress will fix our health
Not kill it all because of wealth
Instead they HIDE behind closed doors
And blame the Dems while health costs soar
She SURVIVED a brain tumor at age six
Has pre-existing conditions to fix
WORRIED what will happen to her
When I'm gone and she has no care
Hope the congress will fix our health
Not kill it all because of wealth
Instead they HIDE behind closed doors
And blame the Dems while health costs soar
5
McCain's action is truly strange. He votes "yes" to support McConnell's Plan and moments later says emphatically that he is never going to vote for the bill as it exists now.
If that is his final judgement then why vote Yes at all?
If that is his final judgement then why vote Yes at all?
5
For the life of me I cannot understand why our former presidents are not speaking out againt this destructor-in-chief. That they sit idily by not saying anything makes me think they want us to hit rock bottom. This unstable man-child is driving us insane with his chaos theory. We need to hear from the past presidents preferrably as a group before the madman-in-chief launches a nuclear bomb. We need to know there are sane people watching our backs. If they don't come out against Trump, then I hold them complicite in what happens to our country. Where are they?
7
Baloney.
The claims of millions without care after repeal are lies. Intentional deception.
Access to care is the same as it has always been Always there for nearly everyone, and in some cases very expensive.
The cries of reduction of affordability are also lies. Talk to my kids, healthy and in their 30's, who have seen their rates in Massachusetts TRIPLE under Obamacare.
News flash: Trump was elected to eliminate Obamacare and undo as much of the collectivist progressive agenda as is practicable in the time allotted.
Those Republican congressmen who fail to heed the will of the voters who put Trump in place are going to pay the price at election time.
Those progressives who are upset about this need to get over it. They had their day, and the nation has had enough of them - thus trump.
1
The goal of Trump and the GOP is to cut health care expenses and Medicaid for the poor and elderly just so the rich can have another tax cut.
But the paradox is the longer Trump and the GOP stay in power, the more money will be need to be allocated to deal with growing hate crimes (up 20% with Trump), violence, mental illness, poverty and those without health insurance, plus rising alcohol, drug and opioid addictions.
We also need to allocate more money to deal with the mental health issues of our damaging and dangerous President and the intentionally cruel GOP.
But the paradox is the longer Trump and the GOP stay in power, the more money will be need to be allocated to deal with growing hate crimes (up 20% with Trump), violence, mental illness, poverty and those without health insurance, plus rising alcohol, drug and opioid addictions.
We also need to allocate more money to deal with the mental health issues of our damaging and dangerous President and the intentionally cruel GOP.
3
This is absolutely the worst time in their political history, to be making these kind of mistakes.
2
I have so little faith in the American electorate that I can't be certain that the Republicans will pay for this at the ballot box. This nation has a history of punishing Democrats, for whatever myriad of reasons that include race, class, etc and rewarding Republicans even when they smite us and lead us to ruin. The electorate failed us in 2016 and they may very well do it again come 2018.
3
Everyone wants to blame politicians for the healthcare crisis but we are also to blame because we create so many of the conditions that drive costs up: frivolous lawsuits and defensive medicine, fraud, unnecessary prescriptions (especially opioids), and choosing an unhealthy lifestyle. Why is there a movement to tell fat people they are beautiful? Shouldn't the movement be to prevent these same people from being fat and preventing associated heart problems and diabetes?
This Pass Anything session of the Senate puts our entire health coverage system at risk just to notch a political victory. What a travesty of government - jumping off a cliff not knowing or caring who gets hurt!
2
The House will vote to kill Obamacare or any part of it. Districts are thoroughly gerrymandered and any other outcome is unthinkable.
Senators, on the other hand, must represent their entire states and so the outcome is less certain.
If only someone could hypnotize Mitch McConnell and have him explain what his motives are and why he is so passionate about them. Trump I disregard. The hypnotists would come up with nothing because there is nothing there.
Senators, on the other hand, must represent their entire states and so the outcome is less certain.
If only someone could hypnotize Mitch McConnell and have him explain what his motives are and why he is so passionate about them. Trump I disregard. The hypnotists would come up with nothing because there is nothing there.
2
This is getting out of hand, 4th comment today thanks to the man in the oval office. How much contempt can he and his cronies in the GOP have for us all? to dismantle so much progress and think it is ok to do, without making us as Americans part of the process, is baffling. We are sliding down into the abyss fast.
2
If the ACA collapses it will be due to Republican tactics. This and they are a disgrace.
1
Mitch and his confidants are known crooks.
A more disheartening scene was to witness the Tale of Two Mr. McCains. First, a patriot, an American hero, who spoke his mind, honest, generally caring for all Americans. Second, a republican faithful who, under the guise of moving call for bipartisan work from law makers from both sides of the aisle, voted along the party line and sold out millions of poor in need of good accessible healthcare.
A more disheartening scene was to witness the Tale of Two Mr. McCains. First, a patriot, an American hero, who spoke his mind, honest, generally caring for all Americans. Second, a republican faithful who, under the guise of moving call for bipartisan work from law makers from both sides of the aisle, voted along the party line and sold out millions of poor in need of good accessible healthcare.
1
It's really amazing to see how the republicans have dropped even the pretense of caring about struggling Americans. It's hard to know how to respond to those who don't seem to care in a way that doesn't include expletives.
2
Let's review here: When the ACA was passed 65+% of the public was opposed,Reid and Pelosi pushed it though both Houses with no Republican votes, at least 3 Senators were "bribed" with special deals for their states,normal rules were suspended,the first year of implementation was a disaster,they violated the Constitution to fund it,the individual market for people who did not qualify for Medicaid has experienced over a 100% increase in premiums since its passage and deductibles have increased dramatically until some only really have catastrophic coverage and you criticize the Republicans for trying to fix some of the problems with no Democratic help....appalling!
1
Time to repeal and replace the effort to repeal and replace.
4
Dear American Voters,
Please remember this and get out and vote! 2018 offers an opportunity to get rid of may of the GOP who don't care about you. Do not forget, tale care of yourselves --do yourselves a favor.
Think about the idea that terms in Congress and the Senate should not be allowed for a lifetime but should be limited to a set number of years. And, get rid of the Electoral College. Time to get moving! Good luck!
Please remember this and get out and vote! 2018 offers an opportunity to get rid of may of the GOP who don't care about you. Do not forget, tale care of yourselves --do yourselves a favor.
Think about the idea that terms in Congress and the Senate should not be allowed for a lifetime but should be limited to a set number of years. And, get rid of the Electoral College. Time to get moving! Good luck!
How much money has it cost the American tax payer to pay the salaries of the Republican "leaders" who have accomplished ABSOLUTELY NOTHING for years: obstructing when Obama was in office, flailing now that they have control of EVERYTHING, even a stolen Supreme Court, as they allow Trump to insult the judiciary, malign service men and women, lash out at his cabinet (when he is not insisting on each of them publicly kissing his ring). We are flushing our tax dollars down the toilet to pay these millionaires' salaries. Throw the bums out in 2018 (if they haven't completely compromised and suppressed the vote). It's called kakistocracy: "a state or country run by the worst, least qualified, most unscrupulous citizens."
1
My feeling on the matter is very simply this: that the concept of "for profit" health care ... and of "for profit" means of paying for the same ... consist of: "EPIC FAIL."
Despite the continued presence of "the Senator from HCA," Senator Frist, whose brother(!) is the CEO of the Hospital Corporation of America, we are a quarter-century into this "oh, how good it's going to be, someday" cockamamie notion, and we have ZERO to show for it. While both the English and the Canadians continue to "look at us very strangely."
The ACA (aka "Obamacare") was absolutely everything that the industry lobbyists bought-and-paid for, but it didn't change the fundamental outcome of this fundamentally-impossible (non-)business proposition. Enough. It is not possible to provide health care "for profit," neither to pay for it "for profit."
Given that our Government today pays billions of dollars a month(!) to kill people halfway around the planet, I know that "YES, WE CAN!" spend a fraction of this sum to properly take care of the people who have set foot in our nation or in any of its territories. This should be "no thinking thing." If you need health care, come and get it. Freely.
Despite the continued presence of "the Senator from HCA," Senator Frist, whose brother(!) is the CEO of the Hospital Corporation of America, we are a quarter-century into this "oh, how good it's going to be, someday" cockamamie notion, and we have ZERO to show for it. While both the English and the Canadians continue to "look at us very strangely."
The ACA (aka "Obamacare") was absolutely everything that the industry lobbyists bought-and-paid for, but it didn't change the fundamental outcome of this fundamentally-impossible (non-)business proposition. Enough. It is not possible to provide health care "for profit," neither to pay for it "for profit."
Given that our Government today pays billions of dollars a month(!) to kill people halfway around the planet, I know that "YES, WE CAN!" spend a fraction of this sum to properly take care of the people who have set foot in our nation or in any of its territories. This should be "no thinking thing." If you need health care, come and get it. Freely.
1
Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming, a co-creator of this mess is: “confident and committed about getting rid of healthcare.” Wonder why?
PAC money for J. Barrasso -
These include Jumana, Abbott labs, Unitedhealth Group, Amgen, Pfizer, Merck:
31 contributions totaling $68,100 for election cycle 2016.
62 contributions totaling $122,000 for election cycle 2014
190 contributions totaling $347,750 for election cycle 2012
3 contributions totaling $80,000 for election cycle 2010
Some Wyoming facts: Wyoming is the only state that has actually seen an increase in its uninsured population from 2013 to 2015. At the same time Barrasso is collecting lots of PAC money!
PAC money for J. Barrasso -
These include Jumana, Abbott labs, Unitedhealth Group, Amgen, Pfizer, Merck:
31 contributions totaling $68,100 for election cycle 2016.
62 contributions totaling $122,000 for election cycle 2014
190 contributions totaling $347,750 for election cycle 2012
3 contributions totaling $80,000 for election cycle 2010
Some Wyoming facts: Wyoming is the only state that has actually seen an increase in its uninsured population from 2013 to 2015. At the same time Barrasso is collecting lots of PAC money!
3
Did Trump fire Tom Price as promised?
The GOP has devolved to the point where they are holding the entire nation hostage. May we never forget.
2
Isn't that something to see, John McCain with his gold plated health insurance coverage, voting to help the GOP get rid of or make worthless, insurance for the rest of us lowly citizens. What a great guy you turned out to be, NOT.
3
If you're sickly and not, or under insured, I suggest moving close to the Canadian or Mexican border
such that when you're in need of medical care you can get it for A FRACTION of the cost of healthcare in the good ol' USA
such that when you're in need of medical care you can get it for A FRACTION of the cost of healthcare in the good ol' USA
The problem with American politics is the unyielding ideologues of the right and the left. Every other first world democracy (and most other countries) have guaranteed universal healthcare for all their citizens. At a bare minimum, 23 have better overall public healthcare results than the US and none spend more than 50%, per capita, of what we spend for healthcare. But for the ideologues, a sane society would pick one (or the best parts of each)- and eventually we probably will.
Winston Churchill had it right; "You can always count on Americans to do the right thing - after they've tried everything else."
Winston Churchill had it right; "You can always count on Americans to do the right thing - after they've tried everything else."
Regarding McCain's remarks: Sometimes clarity comes to those starkly and suddenly confronted by their own impending mortality. It's easy to "play the game" when you can ignore--as we all do--the fact you'll not always be a part of it but maintain that peculiarly human and personal delusion that you will. Still, apparently McCain could not find it within himself to vote against bringing the bill to the floor and shut down this circus with a thud. Then, his party would have had no choice but to seek a bipartisan compromise. He had the power to make his advice to his colleagues their only alternative and he punted. To coin a phrase, "Sad."
2
"A recent Kaiser Family Foundation poll found just 28 percent supported the Senate bill to repeal and replace the A.C.A., while 71 percent wanted Republicans and Democrats to work together to improve the law."
I don't understand. I thought these 100 senators are supposed to represent the wishes of the citizens of this country. I'm either naïve, or I am missing something obvious on this topic. But I believe the disagreement with the fact that the ACA resulted in increased taxes for the wealthy is the only thing that is motivating our lawmakers.
I don't understand. I thought these 100 senators are supposed to represent the wishes of the citizens of this country. I'm either naïve, or I am missing something obvious on this topic. But I believe the disagreement with the fact that the ACA resulted in increased taxes for the wealthy is the only thing that is motivating our lawmakers.
4
We already have millions without insurance and millions more that cannot afford the insurance they have - the ACA must reduce costs first! I don't care if it's called ACA, Obamacare, or ABC bill. Congress - focus on reducing cost first!
If you want more people to have something, to be able to buy something, the costs must go down. Flat screen TVs are in every home these days, but were an absolute luxury when they were introduced at 10 times today's cost. Same with cars, phones, computers, printers, everything. I realize that many here would say that healthcare is a right and that those other things are just materials that no one has a right to or needs. But it is naive to believe that healthcare isn't like other industries - people work in healthcare, those people get paid. To pay people, you must have a revenue source greater than the cost of the widget you make. The only way it works is to cut the costs of basic, necessary care. The rest may be purchased, if you have the money.
Why do those that can afford it, buy private insurance when their country provides universal care, do you suppose?
We need to stop the partisan bickering and come up with solutions to the root causes for high costs.
PS Tired of hearing the NYTimes and readers claim that Congress isn't letting it's members read the bill - "We have to pass it before we can read what's in it." Sound familiar?
If you want more people to have something, to be able to buy something, the costs must go down. Flat screen TVs are in every home these days, but were an absolute luxury when they were introduced at 10 times today's cost. Same with cars, phones, computers, printers, everything. I realize that many here would say that healthcare is a right and that those other things are just materials that no one has a right to or needs. But it is naive to believe that healthcare isn't like other industries - people work in healthcare, those people get paid. To pay people, you must have a revenue source greater than the cost of the widget you make. The only way it works is to cut the costs of basic, necessary care. The rest may be purchased, if you have the money.
Why do those that can afford it, buy private insurance when their country provides universal care, do you suppose?
We need to stop the partisan bickering and come up with solutions to the root causes for high costs.
PS Tired of hearing the NYTimes and readers claim that Congress isn't letting it's members read the bill - "We have to pass it before we can read what's in it." Sound familiar?
What will it take to demonstrate to the vast majority of Republican senators and congressmen that even those who voted for them are looking for a universal health care plan that will provide equal and affordable access to health care? We offer equal opportunities in education (at least, the lip service to that effect), and equal opportunity in employment (again, lip service, often), but when it comes to health care we don't even begin to think about equality. Taking from the poor to underwrite the one percent who control the vast majority of all of the assets available in the country, and even the world? I am beginning to think that the 505 of the population that is below average is concentrated in the GOP.
3
Everything about the American people and healthcare can be summed up in two words, cost and ignorance. The average American, because of no leadership on this issue since the Nixon years, is clueless, about not only, why we have more and more bureaucratic systems that don't pay for themselves, now 8, and their own part by unhealthy lifestyle choices that drive the costs of healthcare in this country. If we had leaders in Congress, and there are none, we would have a Single (Payer) System, where all would pay according to income by a sliding fee schedule, and a points system. If we all paid enough to actually pay the bills, a certain percentage of the money would go into programs for those going into dentistry, general family practice, and OBGYN doctors, as all of those are diminishing in numbers because of those close to retirement. The quality of care is as good any as it used to be, as wisdom, years of medical practice, and common sense, are all being abandoned for newer, but no necessarily better outcomes, even when it comes to prescription drugs. There is the arrogant idea out there by the majority of Americans that no matter how someone lives, they are entitled to free care, and that is why we are at the crossroads of financial ruin, and excessive costs to small and large businesses, state budgets, but ultimately the federal budget which is underwater and has been for years.
1
Trump won thanks to Trump voters and all those Democratic non-voters. Those people will be happy, or won't be bothered, if Trump succeeds in repealing ACA. You might say that they asked for it. They might as well get their wish, good and hard.
3
This whole mess is unbelievable. The problem is how to provide not just minimal 'health care,' but the best possible care, for everyone in the country (not just most or many), as efficiently as possible. I've seen the lack of good care kill low-income people who did not get treatment until too late, and seen it harm many others. It should also be noted that rates of entrepreneurship are falling in this country - a significant issue for the long term, since new businesses are a key source of new job growth - and concerns about health coverage, for those deciding whether to go out on their own, certainly do not help.
So here's a problem that takes a severe human toll and a 'hidden' economic toll as well. And no one is addressing it in anywhere near a sensible manner, not in anything resembling a far-sighted and comprehensive manner, least of all the party with the current power to make good things happen in Washington.
This makes me sick. Well, at least not physically sick, which is fortunate, because I do have private insurance, but yoy, the co-pays ...
So here's a problem that takes a severe human toll and a 'hidden' economic toll as well. And no one is addressing it in anywhere near a sensible manner, not in anything resembling a far-sighted and comprehensive manner, least of all the party with the current power to make good things happen in Washington.
This makes me sick. Well, at least not physically sick, which is fortunate, because I do have private insurance, but yoy, the co-pays ...
5
It seems clear to me that Mitch McConnell may not be as bright as he would like other people to believe, including you and me. Mr. McConnell, however, does understand the use of power, including 'over-power,' forcing members of his caucus to submit to his will and that of his storm troopers. The problem is that such tactics are not working as well as they once did. Maybe they will continue to not work well, at least with respect to health care legislation. And, if he loses this battle, it's not hard to foresee that more Senate Republicans will become disconcerted with his leadership style.
2
Medicare works; increase Medicare payroll deductions and increase member payments based on income: then provide Medicare for ALL!
7
Better yet, those folks interested in paying monthly "private insurance " premiums so be it. The rest can pay an increased Medicare payroll deduction.
Here are the rates by age group.
Under 30 years. 1% Gross income.
30-65 1.25%
65 keep existing rates.
Everyone can purchase supplemental plans.
All Medicare prices are published , no deductibles.
Coverage is for basic care and acute life threatening " a la ED visits"
Here are the rates by age group.
Under 30 years. 1% Gross income.
30-65 1.25%
65 keep existing rates.
Everyone can purchase supplemental plans.
All Medicare prices are published , no deductibles.
Coverage is for basic care and acute life threatening " a la ED visits"
2
July 26, 201
The question is - is not health well being a national human right that modern nations are expected to deliver inclusive and for all?
The answer is not to disregard our capitalistic and inherited Hobbesian mind set boiler plated in our Federal writ and tax codes. Americans are having to struggle with social tolerances and sharing the rewards and the burdens towards the best in common interest for as well the moral and humane systems that bypasses the old taboos of socialism stigma or what was the obsessive travesty toward President Obama an indeed in the high wisdom of such Democrats as former Secretary of State Clinton and her wisdom for what is especially the better angels for collective wisdom for governing for the nation with standards of decency and respect on the world stage. Economies are made made and so are the failure to live with respecting human struggles when the answers are ultimately at the junior high school level of the top minds in our educational guidelines in all areas of common citizenry to admire and maintain for all.
jja Manhattan, N.Y.
The question is - is not health well being a national human right that modern nations are expected to deliver inclusive and for all?
The answer is not to disregard our capitalistic and inherited Hobbesian mind set boiler plated in our Federal writ and tax codes. Americans are having to struggle with social tolerances and sharing the rewards and the burdens towards the best in common interest for as well the moral and humane systems that bypasses the old taboos of socialism stigma or what was the obsessive travesty toward President Obama an indeed in the high wisdom of such Democrats as former Secretary of State Clinton and her wisdom for what is especially the better angels for collective wisdom for governing for the nation with standards of decency and respect on the world stage. Economies are made made and so are the failure to live with respecting human struggles when the answers are ultimately at the junior high school level of the top minds in our educational guidelines in all areas of common citizenry to admire and maintain for all.
jja Manhattan, N.Y.
1
Bottom line: We stand a greater chance of harm from our own home-grown GOP officials -- by far --than being hurt by a foreign terrorist act.
McCain should have ended his speech with action by voting NO and ending this Senatorial charade of health bill. We all would like the health plan he has--and Congress has exempted themselves from sharing the ones they propose for us.
It's estimated that 827 people will die per year/per YES vote for the Senate bill. All so that the GOP can put money in the pockets of their donors -- not their -- voters robbed from our neediest fellow Americans.
McCain should have ended his speech with action by voting NO and ending this Senatorial charade of health bill. We all would like the health plan he has--and Congress has exempted themselves from sharing the ones they propose for us.
It's estimated that 827 people will die per year/per YES vote for the Senate bill. All so that the GOP can put money in the pockets of their donors -- not their -- voters robbed from our neediest fellow Americans.
34
Presumably those 827 people per GOP vote weren't going to vote Republican anyway. At least they will be put out of their misery. On the other hand, those who are inflicted with serious but not deadly diseases and ailments have to struggle to survive in this Republican sociopathic regime.
1
McCain Is the worst of the whole crew. How he maintains media credibility is beyond belief.
27
Mitch THE McConnell is going to get his turn in the trump barrel. By Thursday afternoon, Trump will be twittering that Mitch the Munch lost control of his caucus.
7
Yes, thank you Senator McCain, for allowing all of this to happen.
Now we see what the man who, let's not forget, foisted Sarah Palin into a possible Vice Presidential position, is really like.
Now we see what the man who, let's not forget, foisted Sarah Palin into a possible Vice Presidential position, is really like.
30
@John McGlynn
Actually, given his health status, Sen. McCain foisted Caribou Barbie into a possible presidential position.
Terrifying and unthinkable...until one remembers the nightmare going on even as I type.
NOT my president
Actually, given his health status, Sen. McCain foisted Caribou Barbie into a possible presidential position.
Terrifying and unthinkable...until one remembers the nightmare going on even as I type.
NOT my president
2
The Republicans ignored the desires of over 90 percent of Americans to pass saner gun laws after the Sandy Hook massacre. Why would we expect them to behave in a moral, ethical, and pro-life manner with healthcare?
Shame on us for electing these minions of Mammon.
Shame on us for electing these minions of Mammon.
40
I'm sad to see that one of the Republicans I admire, Sen. McCain who enjoys high-class luxury healthcare himself, proves that there's nothing in him to admire.
I feel sorry for you Americans, you deserve better.
I feel sorry for you Americans, you deserve better.
14
Thank you, Timoty. And for what it's worth, I love Finland and its people. You could show us a better way, if we were paying any attention.
1
Frustrated Americans can express their frustration in many ways. One high visibility one, is to fund the effort to place billboards in McConnell's and Ryan's districts. For the price of a cold, frosty beverage, we can let the people in their districts know exactly who is stripping their health care away. Google McConnell or Ryan billboard and Dworkin.
10
Looks like baseball season is permanently over for the GOP congress. Let's take back their cadillac medical plans, and give them the skimpy or non-existent coverage and "personal choice" these moral cowards want to foist on all Americans.
28
It's interesting that the NYT has been largely adhering to the media's "great American hero" narrative regarding John McCain, whereas the NYT readers' comments show that they have picked up right away on McCain's hypocrisy and indifference to constituents' suffering. Can't we separate our concern about the man's health from our judgments of his actions? Don't forget he is the person who was willing to bring Sarah Palin into the White House.
27
In its editorial on “The Senate’s Health Care Travesty,” the Times editors note that “Republicans seem oblivious to … the danger that voters who lose access to health care could retaliate at the ballot box in the 2018 and 2020 elections.” My response has always been: “Why should the Repubs be concerned about any voter retributions because elected GOP officials have failed, for 7 years, to come up with a healthcare plan that’s better than the one they’ve fulsomely condemned since 2010?” We, the people, should ask ourselves why we’ve been punishing one party for passing a well-meaning but imperfect ACA, but have been rewarding another party for merely criticizing the ACA while not offering a better plan to replace it. Seems like we, too, are to blame for letting the GOPers think that, with impunity, they can trash the merits of the ACA, without showing us a credible plan of their own. From President Trump on down, Republicans have shown that they don’t have a clue about designing a good healthcare plan; they only know how to scare us about the flaws of the ACA.
25
Well said.
If Congress doesn't do something soon about health care, we're all going to die from boredom hearing about the hijinks and permutations. Maybe that's their plan!?!
This is how this so-called democracy works. What is going on is what America deserves for letting the polity run as it does. If you sincerely want change, elect sensible, responsible representatives and get a decent Constitution.
7
Why do these Senators keep saying that this repeal or repeal and replace is what American citizens want? This is not what the majority of citizens want as witnessed by all of the polls taken.
This is just McConnell's raw hatred for anything Obama proposed because it was proposed by the President. And this is nothing but pure racism on McConnell's part as evidenced by his and Boehner's remarks that "they would make sure that they (McConnell and Boehner) would make sure that Obama would not get anything passed by the House or Senate"
And shame on McCain for voting in the affirmative after what he just experienced.
This is the most callous and outrageous act by the Republican Senate and in particular by Mike Pence who wears his Christianity like a badge of honor.
No true Christian would allow anyone to be without healthcare.
How much more can the public take from these privileged and smug Senators.
This is just McConnell's raw hatred for anything Obama proposed because it was proposed by the President. And this is nothing but pure racism on McConnell's part as evidenced by his and Boehner's remarks that "they would make sure that they (McConnell and Boehner) would make sure that Obama would not get anything passed by the House or Senate"
And shame on McCain for voting in the affirmative after what he just experienced.
This is the most callous and outrageous act by the Republican Senate and in particular by Mike Pence who wears his Christianity like a badge of honor.
No true Christian would allow anyone to be without healthcare.
How much more can the public take from these privileged and smug Senators.
35
Excellent post and right on all accounts.
3
If you don't want what these narcissitists offer, you're not even a human being to them.
1
Without starting an argument, will someone that is in possession of links online that provide real documentation, show me proof that this new medical proposal is worse and will literally ruin peoples lives? We all hear how bad it is, prove it please? Nothing that is on Huff or similar liberal only sites where they are slanted/tilted SO liberal that the ink slides off the page please.
See CBO.gov, the website of the Congressional Budget Office, the independent, nonpartisan division of government devoted simply to the facts of policy analysis. You'll see the numbers for yourself. And by the way, not only has Trump derided CBO personnel because of their reports regarding the AHCA, but also, McConnell has tried to downplay their significance in this policy debate. The CBO is made up of both Republicans and Democrats, but they are dedicated to developing analyses without adherence to party lines.
8
Check out the CBO website for their analysis. Then make up your mind.
1
See this front page, The Republicans' remaining proposals.
"Ignoring overwhelming public opposition to legislation that would destroy the Affordable Care Act, .... "
What part of 'representative government' has the GoP failed to understand? And how could the millions who depend on the ACA have failed to understand what repealing it would mean... when they cast their votes for a GoP that vowed to repeal it? Government is failing the people. People are failing their nation... I do not see much hope, at least until the next election.
What part of 'representative government' has the GoP failed to understand? And how could the millions who depend on the ACA have failed to understand what repealing it would mean... when they cast their votes for a GoP that vowed to repeal it? Government is failing the people. People are failing their nation... I do not see much hope, at least until the next election.
9
The Senate is so grossly malapportioned it is a travesty of representative government.
1
They have the gall to call what they are offering "freedom."
12
It just keeps getting worse. Why aren't we having a proper bipartisan debate about making ACA better instead of destroying it and leaving millions of Americans without health insurance?
15
The notion that a majority of Senate Republicans, including their leadership, wants to punish a sizable majority of citizens who oppose their proposals, is something to see. I have not seen anything like it in the 50 years I've had the vote. This defies all but the most fundamentalist partisan logic.
We were also treated to seeing Senator McCain saying he would vote to allow argument but could never agree with the bill--then vote with the Republican majority for the bill that would disown so many and take Medicaid money for tax breaks. What was he thinking?
We have a president who tweets policy, punishment, and one lie/confabulation after another.
For whatever flaws this nation may have, twenty years ago I would not have thought these behaviors possible. I know we have a lot of crazy stories and times change, but this is just wrong, embarrassing, evil, punitive...on so many levels.
We were also treated to seeing Senator McCain saying he would vote to allow argument but could never agree with the bill--then vote with the Republican majority for the bill that would disown so many and take Medicaid money for tax breaks. What was he thinking?
We have a president who tweets policy, punishment, and one lie/confabulation after another.
For whatever flaws this nation may have, twenty years ago I would not have thought these behaviors possible. I know we have a lot of crazy stories and times change, but this is just wrong, embarrassing, evil, punitive...on so many levels.
18
Provide the universal health care to everybody that is two times more expensive per capita than in the other wealthy societies and you will bankrupt the nation!
We all know that Trump/McConnell, Inc. is an unholy alliance that possesses virtually no empathy for millions of Americans should any of these measures pass. Usually, human beings care whether other people live or die, but these two are the exception. To be successful, they must demand allegiance from those whose best instincts would be to help their constituents, not harm them.
The Republican Party was formed to give voice to the brutalized and enslaved. Ironically, now Republicans are working to silence and enslave Americans to the cruelty of a federally unprotected medical insurance marketplace. How anyone can call him-or herself a Republican under those circumstances is beyond me.
The Republican Party was formed to give voice to the brutalized and enslaved. Ironically, now Republicans are working to silence and enslave Americans to the cruelty of a federally unprotected medical insurance marketplace. How anyone can call him-or herself a Republican under those circumstances is beyond me.
7
This explains everything in a nutshell....Tom Price, before he was appointed the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services was the representative in Georgia's 6th congressional district. As a congressman, Price created legislation that affected healthcare/pharma companies and then made personal trades based on his own legislation. Tom Price is an insider trader and should be in jail. These guys are all owned by big pharma/healthcare companies and we need to call them all out.
12
The Congressional ban on insider trading the cabal of sanctimonious crooks in Congress enacted for themselves a few years ago lasted only a few months.
Such mean old men.
10
They are not oblivious to the vast majority's concerns. It's no mystery--they are simply intellectually dishonest and will not state their real position. They oppose any initiative to help the poor and the sick because they believe healthcare is a personal responsibility, not a societal one. They know that if they say that out loud, the political cost would be devastating.
8
Who is lying?
Although the NY Times writes as though it is the Republicans who are lying, it may be the Democrats. Or it may be both parties.
The problem is that Obamacare is unbelievably complicated. The complication may in fact serve the health insurance industry by insuring that profits continue to go to insurers. It is hard to tell.
The point of a democracy is that voters should be able to make rational choices on the basis of sufficient information.
Simpler than Obamacare is universal health care. This would also presumably be better for America's poor. Why then do Democrats not propose universal health care?
The simplicity of universal health care would make it easier for voters to understand the full costs of health care in the US. It would be easier to understand why it is that health care costs more in the US than say in Canada.
Many poor Americans have inadequate health care. They do not cancer screenings. However, when the cancer has become inoperable they do get treatment. They stand in line behind illegal immigrants in the ER.
Universal health care could be coupled with a clear presentation of how much it costs to treat illegal immigrants and their children in the ER.
Poor Americans, particular poor whites, believe the costs of treating illegal immigrants are ASTRONOMICAL. Yet none of this is allowed to be discussed because liberals maintain that it is bigoted or racist to allow a discussion of limitations of resources.
Are liberals mendacious?
Although the NY Times writes as though it is the Republicans who are lying, it may be the Democrats. Or it may be both parties.
The problem is that Obamacare is unbelievably complicated. The complication may in fact serve the health insurance industry by insuring that profits continue to go to insurers. It is hard to tell.
The point of a democracy is that voters should be able to make rational choices on the basis of sufficient information.
Simpler than Obamacare is universal health care. This would also presumably be better for America's poor. Why then do Democrats not propose universal health care?
The simplicity of universal health care would make it easier for voters to understand the full costs of health care in the US. It would be easier to understand why it is that health care costs more in the US than say in Canada.
Many poor Americans have inadequate health care. They do not cancer screenings. However, when the cancer has become inoperable they do get treatment. They stand in line behind illegal immigrants in the ER.
Universal health care could be coupled with a clear presentation of how much it costs to treat illegal immigrants and their children in the ER.
Poor Americans, particular poor whites, believe the costs of treating illegal immigrants are ASTRONOMICAL. Yet none of this is allowed to be discussed because liberals maintain that it is bigoted or racist to allow a discussion of limitations of resources.
Are liberals mendacious?
In the land of the free and the home of the brave, the Republican party is determined to impose their will on the American people without their consent. I always thought elected officials were supposed to represent the will of the people, but now we are essentially being told that we have a "ruling" party that will make all decisions for us, regardless of what the people want.
Are we now slaves to the Republican party? Will the next step be disenfranchisement of everyone who fails to sign a loyalty statement to the Republican party? Perhaps we could have an amendment to the Constitution nullifying the Bill of Rights?
This. Is. Just. Plain. Wrong.
Are we now slaves to the Republican party? Will the next step be disenfranchisement of everyone who fails to sign a loyalty statement to the Republican party? Perhaps we could have an amendment to the Constitution nullifying the Bill of Rights?
This. Is. Just. Plain. Wrong.
5
"I always thought elected officials were supposed to represent the will of the people, but now we are essentially being told that we have a "ruling" party that will make all decisions for us, regardless of what the people want."
Two ways of looking at representatives. First is as a trustee, in which the representative votes according to his personal judgement rather than the views of his constituency. The second view is as a delegate, where the representative votes the desires of the constituency.
Regardless, we need representatives who have good character. Increasingly, people of good character are few and far between in Congress.
Two ways of looking at representatives. First is as a trustee, in which the representative votes according to his personal judgement rather than the views of his constituency. The second view is as a delegate, where the representative votes the desires of the constituency.
Regardless, we need representatives who have good character. Increasingly, people of good character are few and far between in Congress.
1
Medicare for all.
8
Sorry but this is the result of Obamacare being "forced" on the country without any input from the other party. And, please do not continue to push the insurance issue; health care is NOT insurance! Having very bad insurance does NOT provide for good healthcare. Both parties are responsible for this awful mess - and as a "responsible" neswpaper, it should be your job to point this out rather that continue this "blame" game.
There are numerous countries that have solved the healthcare problem for their citizens but neither party seems to be interested in learning from those solutions.
There are numerous countries that have solved the healthcare problem for their citizens but neither party seems to be interested in learning from those solutions.
3
Sigh. The ACA was negotiated for over a year. There were numerous hearings that the Republicans participated in and, in fact, there were multiple Republican amendments added to the bill. That the Republicans chose not to vote for it at the end doesn't mean that they didn't have a say in it. Au contraire. Please quit throwing around old tropes that have been previously debunked - over, and over, and over.
1
The only people responsible for the utterly foul bad faith of Republicans are Republicans.
1
Sometimes, people can not be prevented from suicidal behavior. The Republicans badly need an intervention, but it appears their self-destructive behavior knows no limits.
3
ACA repeal is not just about the exchanges, not just about gutting Medicaid, not even just about the immoral and cruel withdrawal of decent health insurance from tens of millions of Americans. It's not even just about the lies Republicans have been peddling to their voters for the past seven years.
It's about enabling states to annul provisions that most Americans, who are insured through their employers, have come to depend on. Coverage without regard to pre-exisitng conditions. Coverage for a package of essential benefits, including mental health care and prescription drugs. Maintaining adult children on their parents' policies through age 26. Banning annual and lifetime limits on insurance coverage.
Many Americans who have bought the Republican line do not realize that these safeguards are elements of the ACA, and so do not recognize what they have to lose.
This sad situation calls to mind some pro-Tea Party demonstrators back when the ACA was still being debated. They carried signs reading, "Don't let the government get its hands on my Medicare." Their leaders failed to remind them where Medicare came from and how it's sustained.
Like-minded leaders are engaging in the same kind of deception now. This time, if those leaders succeed, many Americans truly stand to suffer.
It's about enabling states to annul provisions that most Americans, who are insured through their employers, have come to depend on. Coverage without regard to pre-exisitng conditions. Coverage for a package of essential benefits, including mental health care and prescription drugs. Maintaining adult children on their parents' policies through age 26. Banning annual and lifetime limits on insurance coverage.
Many Americans who have bought the Republican line do not realize that these safeguards are elements of the ACA, and so do not recognize what they have to lose.
This sad situation calls to mind some pro-Tea Party demonstrators back when the ACA was still being debated. They carried signs reading, "Don't let the government get its hands on my Medicare." Their leaders failed to remind them where Medicare came from and how it's sustained.
Like-minded leaders are engaging in the same kind of deception now. This time, if those leaders succeed, many Americans truly stand to suffer.
8
States exist solely to perpetuate unequal protection of law in a suicidal race to the bottom.
1
Republicans' fear of losing primaries to more extreme opponents is a good example of why fighting malapportionment is a critical need. Creating safe, non-contested seats opens the door to extremist opponents in primaries. This is not conjecture; it is constantly being proved. Malappoortionment opens the door to extremism.
3
I'm a Navy brat, a Navy veteran, married to a retired Army officer. I've loved this country, and its government for as much of my 70 years as I can remember. and yet I find myself now ashamed of its president - a boorish oaf of limited intelligence but seemingly endless hubris and need to lie - and its congress - composed of majority party members who are determined to undo the constitution itself if that means more political power for themselves - and now my country - a laughingstock around the world because of its president, its congress, and its dedication to demonizing individual groups, its determination to ignore the very real and very great dangers of climate change, its allegiance to one religious sect, and its adoration of the means of violence now considered sacrosanct above all else, including the health and safety of its citizens.
This is not the America I pledged allegiance to as a child or as a member of the military - this is the very enemy of that America. and this is what is killing my country.
This is not the America I pledged allegiance to as a child or as a member of the military - this is the very enemy of that America. and this is what is killing my country.
18
You speak the Truth!
1
"Still others may have voted yes because they were afraid of losing primary elections to challengers further to the right than them."
So the country suffers because members of the U.S. Senate are fueled by fear.
So the country suffers because members of the U.S. Senate are fueled by fear.
8
It really is astounding how much fear stalks the US.
Why talk about McConnell only? Providing healthcare to all, whether via Obamacare or single-payer or anything else, is something all Republicans agree that they are against. The whole party, including their voters, should own it. Constant focus on Trump or leadership gives millions of Republicans a pass on their own uncaring callousness.
Obama also bears some blame by not presenting Obamacare in moral terms in the first place, opting rather to focus on sub-issues like pre-existing conditions and under 26's. But at least I understand that as a tactic to appease soft Democrats at the time and appeal to the upper middle-class who understood these two benefits very well from their own experience with job transfer and unemployed or uninsured older children.
Obama also bears some blame by not presenting Obamacare in moral terms in the first place, opting rather to focus on sub-issues like pre-existing conditions and under 26's. But at least I understand that as a tactic to appease soft Democrats at the time and appeal to the upper middle-class who understood these two benefits very well from their own experience with job transfer and unemployed or uninsured older children.
5
1) Generally, the ACA is not for people who receive employer-based insurance (yes, I understand the part about a mandate to employers with > 50 employees). Less that 20% of the population actually is affected buying insurance on the exchange, yet everyone and their brother feels a right to weigh in on it. This is a lack of understanding of the law, probably obfuscated with all the push-back phrasing we've heard since 2009.
2) Marco Rubio put a poison pill in a budget a couple of years ago that demolished the gov't subsidized risk corridors, and that is the real reason the insurance companies raised rates on the exchange.
Why no one talks about this is a wonder - not on the tv, not in the newspaper, not from the Democrats, who should be shouting this every time we hear "Obamacare is falling under it's own weight." The Republicans took out a safety valve for the insurance companies and refuse to put it back in place.
2) Marco Rubio put a poison pill in a budget a couple of years ago that demolished the gov't subsidized risk corridors, and that is the real reason the insurance companies raised rates on the exchange.
Why no one talks about this is a wonder - not on the tv, not in the newspaper, not from the Democrats, who should be shouting this every time we hear "Obamacare is falling under it's own weight." The Republicans took out a safety valve for the insurance companies and refuse to put it back in place.
17
If “actual repeal would be delayed two or more years,” then only if ObamaCare *is* collapsing would that be a troubling message to insurers, doctors, and hospitals this year. That’s the opposite of uncertainty.
An honest question: could Democrats use this as a platform to propose their own bill, reforming the admittedly imperfect ACA and reaching across the aisle? I'd love to see a proposal presented by a united front on that side--there are changes to be made to Obamacare, so is there any world in which this debate could become a constructive, productive avenue for progress?
10
How can you make common cause with people who want to repeal the ACA and give huge tax cut for the rich? The Republicans will say anything because they believe in nothing, except tax cuts for the rich will get them re elected and rich.
Remember, if you are not a millionaire when you get to the Senate, you soon will be.
Remember, if you are not a millionaire when you get to the Senate, you soon will be.
8
I don't know the procedural answer - if that is possible. But I believe I have read that they do have some ideas and would be willing to discuss them; and might already have done so. But talk falls on deaf ears. Despite McCain's advocacy of such an approach in his speech, he clearly didn't intend to actually act on it, given his yes vote late in the day. These people only think in terms of win/lose, most especially 45. They never think in terms of everybody wins or what's good for the people of the country. Just look at every article and the entire approach in Congress - it is all about which senators to lure in; nothing about what's best for the public.
5
If you're just a poor boy but talk their line well, they'll pump you up with money until you can afford the political life.
1
Perhaps the best outcome would be for insurers to opt out of offering health insurance policies. The claim against single payer government insurance has primarily been the damage that would cause to insurance companies. Remove the companies, remove the objection. Then all that's needed is to control payments to medical practitioners, admittedly difficult, and the door is open.
5
The real travesty is the US government and the politicians who allow the health insurance companies to outrageously profit from the sick and suffering people. A competitive private health insurance for those who can afford the premiums and deductibles and a US government (federal and state) managed health insurance for all Americans who cannot afford health insurance could be a way forward.
12
Unfortunately the Republicans will keep trying until they get something that at least approximates their campaign promise to repeal Obamacare. As long as they have the numbers in the House of Representatives, which they will until at least the 2018 mid-term elections, they have no reason to give up. There is too much money in campaign contributions and political capital at stake for them to give up the effort. A number of scenarios are possible but I think its time for Obamacare supporters to put their energy into recapturing the House in the 2018 Congressional elections so they create a firewall against further erosion in health care and other areas before the next Presidential election.
11
It will almost certainly be more difficult for poor and minority citizens to cast a vote in the 2018 election than at any other time since before the passage of the Voting Rights Act. I imagine this fact is entering into the GOP's electoral calculus as they vote to strip said citizens of health insurance this week.
11
The Republican's now own Healthcare or to be more specific, a huge tax cut for the 1%. Let's see if the public now can figure out the consequences, for most Americans this would be limited or non existent. Employers will continue to pay more for less coverage. Happily, the Legislature does not need to worry, they have the best coverage the tax payers of America can afford ,for the rest of their lives.
10
"It is clear that Mr. McConnell does not much care which of these proposals the Senate passes; for whatever reason — pride, White House pressure, sheer cussedness — he just wants to get a bill out of the Senate."
Au contraire. McConnell's reason is VERY clear. He's working in tandem with Trump and Ryan to expunge all traces of the Barack Obama presidency.
Au contraire. McConnell's reason is VERY clear. He's working in tandem with Trump and Ryan to expunge all traces of the Barack Obama presidency.
19
And to expunge a large portion of the hoi polloi while they're at it.
4
Like Reid and Pelosi with Obama.....to find out what's in it you have to read it ! All 2000+ pages of a command and control document!
No country in this world can survive for the prolonged period of time the deadly combination of the colossal national debt and reckless spending, the chronically huge trade deficits, the most expensive military on this planet, the endless foreign wars, and the universal health care that is two times more expensive per capita than in the other wealthy societies…
9
If the health care is the basic human right, then it cannot be profitable!
That’s why the other developed countries can provide the universal health care to everybody at 50% of our cost per capita.
Eliminate the hefty profits, the endless advertisement on the TV, the insurance bureaucracy with a sole objective to reject the claims, the unnecessary competition that is measured by the architectural marvels in which no money is spared, the most expensive drugs in the world and you will indeed get the affordable health care.
No health care can be affordable if it is two times more expensive than in the EU…
The affordable health care is just a sales gimmick…
The numbers never lie, the presidents and the advertisement gurus do!!!
That’s why the other developed countries can provide the universal health care to everybody at 50% of our cost per capita.
Eliminate the hefty profits, the endless advertisement on the TV, the insurance bureaucracy with a sole objective to reject the claims, the unnecessary competition that is measured by the architectural marvels in which no money is spared, the most expensive drugs in the world and you will indeed get the affordable health care.
No health care can be affordable if it is two times more expensive than in the EU…
The affordable health care is just a sales gimmick…
The numbers never lie, the presidents and the advertisement gurus do!!!
21
"If the health care is the basic human right, then it cannot be profitable!"
If you think health care is a right, then go to any doctor of your choice and demand that he/she treat whatever condition you have for free.
If you think health care is a right, then go to any doctor of your choice and demand that he/she treat whatever condition you have for free.
I'd like to know the advertising budgets of the major pharmaceutical companies. I counted 27 pages of drug ads in a recent edition of Cooking Light. Does anyone actually read these and then ask their doctors for these drugs? Marketing only needs to be directed at healthcare providers, yet billions are spent on this massive waste of money that we the consumer pays for. I believe we are one of only two countries that advertise prescription drugs. Why do the citizens have to pay for this, which is built in to the most expensive healthcare on the planet? And not even the BEST........
Two Presidential elections in 16 years where the candidate winning the majority of the popular vote losses the election, and the Congress and Senate falling all over themselves to repeal a popular healthcare law (70% of Americans polled do not want the ACA repealed) - doing so in spite of popular opinion and against the wishes of the majority of Americans. Can we finally admit our election and political representation systems are hopelessly broken? "Majority Rule"? What a joke.
18
Majority rule (i.e. "democracy") is mob rule. It's not a democracy. It's a Constitutional Republic. By design. And will remain as such.
It's called a representative democracy for a reason.
1
@Steve: Too bad the representatives only represent themselves and not the people who elected them. Or they have gerrymandered to such an extent that they represent a minority who will keep them in office. In the past, once a President was elected, he became the president of all people - the shift was palpable. Not so with 45. In fact the opposite. He continues to attack half the country and anyone who doesn't favor him and his agenda. So, too, with our "representatives"-- they are working on this bill for a "win." They are appealing to one another's specific interests to win over their peers. Not one word about the country as a whole. Not one word about how any of it would benefit more people.
2
The health care travesty is to create the health care bill without securing the payments for those services.
If the health care system is based upon the unbalanced federal budget then it’s not paid for, thus we are sending the bills for our medical care to the future to our own kids and grandchildren…
That’s not just travesty but dishonesty too.
We can have whatever kind of military, infrastructure and healthcare we want if we are willing to pay for them.
Saddling the future generations with our spending is just an old-fashioned stealing.
If we betray the unborn generations today, they will get evan by printing $20 trillion and paying off the national debt, thus creating the massive inflation and slashing our retirement savings.
Our kid will treat us in the same way we treat them!
If the health care system is based upon the unbalanced federal budget then it’s not paid for, thus we are sending the bills for our medical care to the future to our own kids and grandchildren…
That’s not just travesty but dishonesty too.
We can have whatever kind of military, infrastructure and healthcare we want if we are willing to pay for them.
Saddling the future generations with our spending is just an old-fashioned stealing.
If we betray the unborn generations today, they will get evan by printing $20 trillion and paying off the national debt, thus creating the massive inflation and slashing our retirement savings.
Our kid will treat us in the same way we treat them!
When will dear President Trump remember that he promised to "take care of everybody?" Rewatch his interview with Scott Pelley in which he promises, several times, to take care of everyone. "The government will do it." (With health insurance.) And "some people will pay nothing." He lied, he absolutely lied. And some of his voters believed he would save them from the most heartless Republicans, that somehow he was different. They were duped.
16
"When will dear President Trump remember that he promised to "take care of everybody?""
Trump isn't capable of thinking that far ahead. Even if he was, he was just like any other politician and promised things he had absolutely no clue about.
Trump isn't capable of thinking that far ahead. Even if he was, he was just like any other politician and promised things he had absolutely no clue about.
1
You want to decrease premiums and deductibles? Then regulate the health insurance industry as to how much it can charge. No different than regulating utilities. Tax group insurance provided through work as income to fund the Medicaid costs.
17
"No different than regulating utilities."
Utilities are state-sanctioned and -regulated monopolies. They are not the same as the health care industry.
Utilities are state-sanctioned and -regulated monopolies. They are not the same as the health care industry.
I am having a lumpectomy on Friday. The hospital called me today to tell me that the facility charge alone is $12,739.38. The other two bills will come from the surgeon and the anesthesiologist (I cannot begin to imagine what those bills will be).
I have insurance. The total out of pocket costs for me will be $4500.00 in-network for 2017, to include possible chemotherapy, radiation, and other medical services I may need related or not related to cancer. What happens to people in my situation with no insurance or with deductibles far higher than mine ($800 counted towards the $4500)?
I have insurance. The total out of pocket costs for me will be $4500.00 in-network for 2017, to include possible chemotherapy, radiation, and other medical services I may need related or not related to cancer. What happens to people in my situation with no insurance or with deductibles far higher than mine ($800 counted towards the $4500)?
22
What's even more amazing to me is that with out of pocket expenses of $4500, you consider yourself "lucky". Oh, to be American. Not.
5
I wish you luck. As to those without your coverage, they'll die.
And Trump and those of his ilk could care less. Recall the man at the Romney event who shouted "let 'em die!" ?
That's America in 2017: pathological. Doomed.
And Trump and those of his ilk could care less. Recall the man at the Romney event who shouted "let 'em die!" ?
That's America in 2017: pathological. Doomed.
4
When are you going to write about the media travesty foisted on us by the smoldering wrecks of what were once great newspapers and TV networks?
2
What media travesty?
1
Because that's not the subject under discussion. I grow weary of "whataboutism" like this, but I realize trying to change the subject by saying, "What about (this or that?" is an old Russian propaganda technique that Vladimir Putin has mastered and Trump imitates constantly. I know this because I read about it in one of the great newspapers--this one--that you casually disparage.
4
Let's stop hearing about how many millions will have this or that by what year—
What needs to be done is to finally break the enormously profitable lock that big insurance / managed care has on the providing of health care in this country.
The way to do it? Move toward single-payer universal coverage. You say that's idealistic and impossible. Nonsense.
Let's get started.
A physician MD
What needs to be done is to finally break the enormously profitable lock that big insurance / managed care has on the providing of health care in this country.
The way to do it? Move toward single-payer universal coverage. You say that's idealistic and impossible. Nonsense.
Let's get started.
A physician MD
35
"What needs to be done is to finally break the enormously profitable lock that big insurance / managed care has on the providing of health care in this country. The way to do it? Move toward single-payer universal coverage. You say that's idealistic and impossible. Nonsense."
It's nonsense to think that government involvement in health care for the last 70+ years has done anything to keep prices down.
It's nonsense to think that government involvement in health care for the last 70+ years has done anything to keep prices down.
Yesterday was absolutely emblematic of McCain's career:
Talk a good game, get plaudits for being a straight-talker, then vote the party line.
It's the same con he's being playing for the last 30 years.
Talk a good game, get plaudits for being a straight-talker, then vote the party line.
It's the same con he's being playing for the last 30 years.
45
So want to like him, but there he goes again, action equal and opposite to stated thinking. McCain, why do you keep disappointing me?
3
John McCain an American Zero!
2
"Republicans seem oblivious to those concerns, and to the danger that voters who lose access to health care could retaliate at the ballot box in the 2018 and 2020 elections."
The only way it would make any political sense would be that Republicans were hoping those voters will be too sick to get to the polls by then.
The only way it would make any political sense would be that Republicans were hoping those voters will be too sick to get to the polls by then.
14
No, Republicans will have figured another way by then to rile up their ill-informed and thinking-from-gut voter base, to make them vote against their own interests AGAIN
3
Why. It repeal the ACA with a sunset provision (say 6 months) so that both dems and reps will work together for a better replacement? Absent repeal, dems will stonewall any attempt to improve ACA. Am I missing something?
Jeff, the Dems can't stonewall anything. They don't have the power as long as any bills do not require a 60 vote threshold. And where were all the Republicans when the Dems at least offered them a seat at the table during the ACA negotiations?
9
I agree that republicans have been part of the problem with health care- they've never offered their own realistic solution- but it seems to me that if ACA is repealed with a sunset provision ALL of these congressmen will need to contribute to a better solution. The ACA as it stands is not a workable solution to our LT health care and it needs to change- democrats know it's broken also.
As long as the GOP runs Congress, nothing will be done to improve the ACA. Many of its voters will lose the health insurance they just got and will still blame Obamacare.
4
McCain "supposedly" talked with the North Vietnamese when he sat in prison for all those years - fool me once as a war hero. And now Mr. McCain has followed the party line and voted against the common good of the People of the United States - fool me twice as someone representing his constituents for their benefit.
The hypocrisy of having the best insurance in the United States as a member of the Senate, and voting for the demise of the current Health Care Plan is
just nauseating and gut-wrenching!
The hypocrisy of having the best insurance in the United States as a member of the Senate, and voting for the demise of the current Health Care Plan is
just nauseating and gut-wrenching!
29
My wife and I suffered John McCain (and Joe Arpaio) in Arizona for more than twenty years and finally left the state. McCain speaks out of the corner of his mouth. He is a war hawk and Republican standard bearer who speaks of compromise and working across the aisle while voting with hardline Republicans. The majority of Americans now support the ACA. While the Act needs recalibration, something Democrats are willing to discuss with the Republicans, the latter are simply hell-bent on tearing down anything that President Obama built. Why? Because he's black? Because he's smarter than the rest of them put together? Because his administration was scandal-free? Because he rescued our economy post-2008 even with opposition from his own party? What is wrong with health care for all? What is wrong with a green economy and a green planet? With is wrong with helping the small business man and making big corporations the taxes they've never paid? What is wrong with Daniel Webster's belief: “It is, Sir, the people’s government, made for the people, made by the people, and answerable to the people. The people of the United States have declared that this Constitution shall be the supreme law.” The Republicans, led by their crass and amoral leader, are interested in rolling back the clock and returning to a plantation economy and society. I'm disgusted, dismayed, appalled, furious, all in equal proportions.
5
The best predictor of future bankruptcy in the US: a cancer diagnosis.
31
Not if you're a U.S. Senator!!!
3
Bankruptcy is better than death, no? Of course, death means different things to different people.
Shame on the Republicans and Mr. Trump - their motto is - Let American Die - TrumpDeathCare for all. This is not about politics, it's about doing the right thing for Americans, the moral thing.
16
McCain was able to make a grand entrance, make a stirring speech that sounded good, and then he got right back to work, voting yes on the amendment proposals and proving that he doesn't care any more about affordable healthcare than most Republicans. Back to the status quo.
And right after expensive surgery and medical treatment. He could probably afford to pay for it himself, but why would he? He has affordable health insurance.
This number may be inaccurate, but I saw that members of Congress pay $35/month for health insurance. That's $420/year, far less than many have to pay for just one month. How can they possibly understand the problem that "ordinary" people face?
And right after expensive surgery and medical treatment. He could probably afford to pay for it himself, but why would he? He has affordable health insurance.
This number may be inaccurate, but I saw that members of Congress pay $35/month for health insurance. That's $420/year, far less than many have to pay for just one month. How can they possibly understand the problem that "ordinary" people face?
45
There is only one explanation for this type of behavior out of a governing body. We have seen it before when they voted for the war on Iraq when the country knew it was a mistake from the beginning. Where the big issues are concerned this group has already been spoken for, they are in the pockets of the special interests, and couldn't do the right thing for the country even if they wanted to.
32
Government by tweet has now become government by flailing, leading toward the inevitable reaction of citizenship by rage. At least that's how I'm beginning to feel, and I don't like it one bit.
19
it seems to me, without reading all of the 806 comments below, that trump's campaign rhetoric should have been different. instead of '...repeal Obamacare..." he should have said "...let's fix it..."' "let's change the broken parts..." and MOST IMPORTANLY, "..Let's go after ALL the insurance companies, doctors, drug companies and their affiliates and hospitals AND US Congress elected officials who have lobbied for all these decades to line their pockets..."
11
I wish he said that too Paula.
But Trump is too dumb to consider serious policy. Tweeting slogans is so much easier.
Who knew health care was so complicated?
Well everybody did but Trump.
But Trump is too dumb to consider serious policy. Tweeting slogans is so much easier.
Who knew health care was so complicated?
Well everybody did but Trump.
3
The GOP have become the health care industry's enforcers, intent on obliterating the ACA, which is the only thing that currently stands in the way of an immense and cruel profit making machine benefiting doctors, insurance companies, and pharmaceuticals--to the detriment of ordinary Americans. Tellingly, prescription drugs are on par with illegal drugs in overdose deaths in the U.S. Yep, the U.S. health care industry is giving the cartels a run for their money. With so much at stake, of course they are doing everything they can to protect their racket.
16
If what you say is true, how do you explain the fact that 1) The doctors, hospitals, insurers, and advocacy organizations (e.g., AARP) have all strongly opposed the Republican "repeal and replace" and 2) The same groups all supported the ACA.
5
It's doctors at hospitals who sue patients into medical bankruptcy when insurance companies don't pay. So who's not complicit here? Also, didn't the AMA warmly welcome Tom Price as secretary of health and human services? Lastly, AARP is not an advocacy organization for either doctors, hospitals, or insurers. Rather, it's an advocacy organization for retired persons/seniors.
1
Republican hatred for a black President and his accomplishments has metastasized, and now consumes the body politic. American citizens - even white ones - will die as a result of this racist hatred.
Unimaginable in a civilized country, for the health and safety of its citizens - with all its implications for economic strength and national security - to be so compromised, just because a club of elderly white men never learned to share, never learned to care.
As our tearful leader would say, "sad."
Unimaginable in a civilized country, for the health and safety of its citizens - with all its implications for economic strength and national security - to be so compromised, just because a club of elderly white men never learned to share, never learned to care.
As our tearful leader would say, "sad."
34
Why publish a state x state breakdown of Medicaid dollars contributing to Ealy Periodic Screening, Diagnosis & Treatment (EPSDT), early intervention, special education, maternal & child health, nursing homes, etc. These data can be found from each state Medicaid office as well as federally. These dollars have been used to allow states to meet their legal mandates for these programs to meet client needs and rights. Won't there be lawsuits again since these were often required to force states to implement these laws? Surely there are also accessible data to show how much these suits cost. States can also tell you where the programs are, who & how many served (in each legislative district, to highlight who gets hurt (left untreated, jobs lost, etc.) to provide further detail to each Senator/Congressman who they're throwing under the bus. Some folks may imagine the undeserving will loose, when it's really a neighbor, a cousin's child (or your own), or your own mother. Put the data in graphic form so 5th graders can understand it. Broad numbers being reported are too general for people to identify how this disaster of a proposal impacts them. And why not make improvements by discussing doctor, pharmacy & hospital costs (e.g., take on powerful industries instead of defenseless children, their families & the elderly)?
11
The GOP members want to "Keep their Promises" ? They promised to be cruel in cutting up to 30 million from healthcare while raising the cost of insurance premiums? Seriously, what collective delusional mental disorder are we dealing with here? Once the uninsured have seen what it truly means to have health insurance none of them want to go back... How about life, liberty (from fear) and happiness are the right for all Americans. Let's keep THAT promise !
31
John McCain talks out of two sides of his mouth. His return to vote for repeal of the ACA along with McConnell et al while simultaneously attempting to shame his colleagues rang false. From yesterday's vote, to his odd questioning of James Comey (possibly due to his illness), to his blind acceptance of Sarah Palin as his running mate, he's a rank and file GOP Yes Man rather than the Maverick he'd like to believe himself to be.
26
McCain is a multi millionaire who can afford the best and most expensive care in the world: If he was a poor Vietnam Veteran he would still be waiting to see a nurse at a V A Hospital.
30
He also has free insurance because he is a Senator. They all do. None of them know the fear that a catastrophic health issue could bankrupt them or spell death because treatment is unaffordable.
19
McCain once again exhibits his penchant for having it both ways, not quite the stuff of profiles in hypocrisy than courage.
23
Side note, if McCain had beaten Obama we might well be looking at the Sarah Palin presidency
16
Are you suggesting what we have is any better?
2
Thank you to David Leonhardt for his exhortations to call my senators within the next 24 hours. I have called Isakson and Purdue to express that I am strongly against the Republican offerings to replace and ACA, and also reiterated my disgust with Trump and his traitorous behavior in his allegiance to Russia over the US. I have again requested he be impeached, and stated to both senators that I will do everything in my power to remove them from office in 2020. I hope everyone else who is similarly disgusted calls their Senators and Representatives in their respective states and gives them an earful!
30
It should say all that needs to be said that a sizable portion of the republican congress doesn't like any of the bills because they are not cruel enough.
These are men (mostly) who represent the poorest and most desperate of our people and they want to take away what little lifeline they have.
Mostly because the man who gets credit for the ACA in the long run is a black man.
And the people who will suffer the most from this cruelty keep sending these jerks back to congress to stall what ever progress we might make towards a better future and a sustainable planet. Because of god, guns and gays. Incredible.
It will really be hard to have any real sustained empathy for these fools when republicans finally do get around to destroying their health care options.
These are men (mostly) who represent the poorest and most desperate of our people and they want to take away what little lifeline they have.
Mostly because the man who gets credit for the ACA in the long run is a black man.
And the people who will suffer the most from this cruelty keep sending these jerks back to congress to stall what ever progress we might make towards a better future and a sustainable planet. Because of god, guns and gays. Incredible.
It will really be hard to have any real sustained empathy for these fools when republicans finally do get around to destroying their health care options.
21
After months of pleading with their members of Congress, US citizens are now seeing what those MOCs are made of. The picture isn't pretty. The fact that we have such barbarous legislation before us is a tribute to the moral bankruptcy of the GOP. As we are about to see, the US is no longer a democracy, if it were this highly unpopular legislation would never have gotten so far.
Innocent people who are guilty of nothing but having the misfortune to be poor and sick, are begging for their lives from the state. I never thought I'd see this in the US.
Innocent people who are guilty of nothing but having the misfortune to be poor and sick, are begging for their lives from the state. I never thought I'd see this in the US.
16
Considering how tone-deaf, mean-spirited and spiteful Republican health care legislation has proven to be, "getting nothing accomplished" is the best outcome reasonable, rational Americans can hope for.
11
John McCain and Sarah Palin.
Two peas in a pod.
Two peas in a pod.
10
I am all for the Republican heath care bill - whatever that might be - with the proviso that all Senators and Representatives and their families be covered by the same bill.
8
The "Cost" of healthcare is a function of what providers charge, ie what hospitals, doctors, drug companies, insurance companies charge for their services.
There is no magic government bullet being proposed that will change this cost, only who the distribution of subsidies will reduce premiums. What you decide to pay insurance for (think "skinny plans") does not affect the actual cost of your healthcare needs. Someone has to pay.
It would be simpler to just increase the subsidies to the ACA, if there are no plans to decrease the cost of healthcare to society.
There is no magic government bullet being proposed that will change this cost, only who the distribution of subsidies will reduce premiums. What you decide to pay insurance for (think "skinny plans") does not affect the actual cost of your healthcare needs. Someone has to pay.
It would be simpler to just increase the subsidies to the ACA, if there are no plans to decrease the cost of healthcare to society.
4
Eliminate the profit taken by the insurance companies and reduce the extraordinary profits of drug companies - two good places to find the money so Americans won't have to die in the streets.
2
@Mary McKim: "Eliminate the profit taken by the insurance companies and reduce the extraordinary profits of drug companies - two good places to find the money so Americans won't have to die in the streets."
Eliminate or reduce the profits of insurance and drug companies and they will pack up and leave it all to the government. Imagine what would happen if we took that same attitude to the manufacturers of cell phones and cellular service companies - don't they make huge profits? What kind and variety of cell phones do you think we'd have?
Eliminate or reduce the profits of insurance and drug companies and they will pack up and leave it all to the government. Imagine what would happen if we took that same attitude to the manufacturers of cell phones and cellular service companies - don't they make huge profits? What kind and variety of cell phones do you think we'd have?
I didn't want medical care anyway. Who needs it? After all, we're all going to die. Medical care merely postpones the inevitable and, come to think of it, why should our officials have access to excellent medical care if we don't? They're going to die too and just as they think we're expecting too much from the government, perhaps they are expecting too much from us. Maybe we should return to the days when nature took its course, scarlet fever could kill us or leave us with a damaged heart. Or perhaps we could go back to using saws and no anesthesia to amputate limbs that become infected when a deep cut isn't treated because there's no doctor around who will accept insurance or who is affordable.
After all, it's important to our deeply indebted politicians that the wealth care industry and the top corporations and richest families in America be spared paying more in taxes to help keep all Americans healthy. And deregulation is far more vital to our country's financial health than clean water, soil, or air although we all need those things to survive. The only exceptionalism I see in our current pig headed political climate is how politicians who know nothing about our struggles are willing to make our lives worse to line the pockets of their rich donors. And the name for it is selfishness to the extreme.
After all, it's important to our deeply indebted politicians that the wealth care industry and the top corporations and richest families in America be spared paying more in taxes to help keep all Americans healthy. And deregulation is far more vital to our country's financial health than clean water, soil, or air although we all need those things to survive. The only exceptionalism I see in our current pig headed political climate is how politicians who know nothing about our struggles are willing to make our lives worse to line the pockets of their rich donors. And the name for it is selfishness to the extreme.
17
Prior to Medicare, “about one-half of America’s seniors did not have hospital insurance,” guess why and guess who didn't care.
11
In the USA we have attempted to deal with the combination of inelastic demand and unregulated medical care prices in various ways. One method of keeping medical care expense as a percent of GDP to "only" double that of other developed countries was to have a significant portion of the population uninsured and denied medical care in some circumstances. The existence of large numbers of uninsured (conscripts in the war against rising medical costs) did moderate the growth in health care costs.
As long as medical prices are set by market forces, the inelasticity of demand will force market prices inexorably higher. In a "mixed system" with both free-market and controlled health care prices like the USA, prices inexorably are driven upwards to the market level as long as demand is inelastic. Prices such as payments from Medicare that are "controlled" have to be increased continuously with legislation such as the "doctor-fix" to stay competitive with market prices. Medical prices can only be effectively controlled either by direct price controls as in Japan or with systems where everyone gets care for "free" from the government. In those countries only the extremely wealthy can chose not to use the government paid health services that they have already paid for with their taxes and patronize the relatively small market-priced sector, forgoing the government priced system is not an option for almost all doctors, as it is in the USA..."
http://seekingalpha.com/article/1647632
As long as medical prices are set by market forces, the inelasticity of demand will force market prices inexorably higher. In a "mixed system" with both free-market and controlled health care prices like the USA, prices inexorably are driven upwards to the market level as long as demand is inelastic. Prices such as payments from Medicare that are "controlled" have to be increased continuously with legislation such as the "doctor-fix" to stay competitive with market prices. Medical prices can only be effectively controlled either by direct price controls as in Japan or with systems where everyone gets care for "free" from the government. In those countries only the extremely wealthy can chose not to use the government paid health services that they have already paid for with their taxes and patronize the relatively small market-priced sector, forgoing the government priced system is not an option for almost all doctors, as it is in the USA..."
http://seekingalpha.com/article/1647632
6
The headline ought to be "Irony Writ Large", to watch as McCain launches into a massively expensive medical treatment to try and save his life, with his bills paid for by taxpayers, and then votes for a process that will take away that same opportunity for life-saving care from millions of Americans. Cognitive dissonance anyone?
17
The media- and the Democrats- are missing the boat by emphasizing the 'millions who will lose healthcare.' An uninformed American electorate believes these are people who don't work and don't want to work. The undeserving poor. This will never move the needle on this matter. What SHOULD be emphasized is that these bills will likely INCREASE premiums and deductibles for all but a few- the very issue that drove large numbers of Americans to reject Obamacare as the cause and rally around Trump's phony claims that he could fix it. Add in that companies won't be required to even offer private coverage. Add to that the reality that the majority of Trump voters- all Americans, in fact- are at risk for sky-high premiums under various schemes to tie rates to pre-existing conditions. Remind people that everyone who refuses all insurance means more people they will be paying for... all the more wrong because it will include people with jobs who can pay. Ask Americans if they're OK with paying for those folks through higher premiums; or are OK with allowing hospitals to refuse even ER admittance. Stop pounding on the 'number of uninsured.' It's an abstraction to trump supporters and anyone who thinks this is only going to impact the 'poor' or 'lazy.'
18
McConnell's reason for pushing health care reform in the Senate isn't "pride, White House pressure or sheer cussedness", it's because he detests that a black President was ever elected and allowed to sign legislation of any kind. Period.
29
Quite correct, Ycmichel. Trump, McConnell, Ryan, McCain and the rest of the GOP pack can't stand the idea that a black man is a hero to many for passing something GOOD - health care coverage for as many as possible - including this white man.
10
What are Trump and McConnell holding over these Senators' heads to get them to take away healthcare from 20-30 million people? As a follow-up, will they take the right to vote away from these people and set up an oligarchy? Can it be that ALL the Republican Senators (and Congressmen) are so beholden to the Koch brothers and other wealthy oligarchs that they will vote any way they are told, without engaging their brains or their hearts?
What a sad time to be an American...
What a sad time to be an American...
18
Hey Republicans, how about a fourth option: Give Americans the same coverage that you receive at their expense?
25
If this is what winning is, please make it STOP!
17
The House and the Senate are both voting to inflict great harm on the American people. The voters are a bunch of uninformed sheep who let them get away with it.
11
Typical of politicians - they lie and make promises they know they will never keep. They have been doing this for as long as there have been politicians.
What is it about their promise to destroy Obamacare, that they are willing to go so far as to have people die and millions lose health care for, that they are willing to keep this particular promise? But it is is OK for them to break all their other promises!
Trumplican meanness and inhumanity at its worst.
What is it about their promise to destroy Obamacare, that they are willing to go so far as to have people die and millions lose health care for, that they are willing to keep this particular promise? But it is is OK for them to break all their other promises!
Trumplican meanness and inhumanity at its worst.
16
Shame on republicans and their hero John McCain. He is no hero and will be remembered ONLY for taking health care away from millions. President Obama was the hero for trying to have health care coverage for millions even though it was not perfect and needed changes.
25
Two wrongs do not make a right.
5
Whoever wants to destroy Obamacare without a clear plan for a replacement that includes more people, less costs for the low-middle class is a social criminal. Americans should think about that: no millionaire will EVER think about the needs of the common people.
Thinking the opposite is naive.
To believe in what mr. Trump said about Obamacare is naive.
The only way for an affordable medicare is a public medicare.
As we have in Europe.
Thinking the opposite is naive.
To believe in what mr. Trump said about Obamacare is naive.
The only way for an affordable medicare is a public medicare.
As we have in Europe.
19
I am so exhausted by the huge elephant in the room here. Because they have been legally bribed, Republican politicians work for individual gentlemen of the monied classes with indefatigable perseverance as all-encompassing truth and morality confront them with little to no effect. They are compromised just like Trump and they continue forward anyway so that all that the people can do is look at them in astonishment. To stand there and "fight" as though there is something worth fighting for here paints them all as monsters. I can barely look at them, and to think they supposedly represent me. Unfortunately, because of Citizens United, I now perceive my governmental representatives as evil. Half of them anyway. What utopias do these compromised politicians foresee for themselves by fighting for the literal deaths of hundreds of thousands of their fellow Americans? To watch these supposed Americans actually fight for changes to health care that would comparatively make 911 seem like a miniscule blip in history is too grotesque to contemplate. I am in agreement with Chomsky, The Republican Party is the most dangerous organization in the world.
19
We Canadians look at the current health care fiasco with dismay. From the sidelines, I can tell you for certain that America looks foolish. The solution is far more simple, effective, and less costly that any of these horribly hacked together plans that have come out of congress, and that includes the ACA.
Stand back, America, and have a good look at the objective: you want everyone covered, you want a healthier population that live longer and happier lives, and you want it to cost much less than it does now. What you really want is a single payer universal health care plan but won't admit it because the healthcare lobbyists have successfully convinced you that such a plan would be socialism (heaven forbid!).
Instead, you seem to be more interested in constructing these absurd healthcare contraptions that are complicated, divisive, expensive, and will never cover everyone. Everyone seems focused on the false idea of how expensive it would be to cover everyone and that it would raise taxes. First of all there would be no premiums with a single payer system because it would be covered by taxes (nothing is free), secondly, the increase in taxes would be far less than the premiums you are paying now. Every nation that has a single payer system in place (most modern democracies), pay about half what the US pays for healthcare.
In the meantime, those of us in the free world with single payer systems in place, smugly watch the fiasco unravel. Pass the popcorn.
Stand back, America, and have a good look at the objective: you want everyone covered, you want a healthier population that live longer and happier lives, and you want it to cost much less than it does now. What you really want is a single payer universal health care plan but won't admit it because the healthcare lobbyists have successfully convinced you that such a plan would be socialism (heaven forbid!).
Instead, you seem to be more interested in constructing these absurd healthcare contraptions that are complicated, divisive, expensive, and will never cover everyone. Everyone seems focused on the false idea of how expensive it would be to cover everyone and that it would raise taxes. First of all there would be no premiums with a single payer system because it would be covered by taxes (nothing is free), secondly, the increase in taxes would be far less than the premiums you are paying now. Every nation that has a single payer system in place (most modern democracies), pay about half what the US pays for healthcare.
In the meantime, those of us in the free world with single payer systems in place, smugly watch the fiasco unravel. Pass the popcorn.
24
Now proved beyond a shadow of a doubt: Republicans in Congress are lethal weapons against the American people. There should be consequences, at the very least in future elections.
13
It is hard to imagine the utter leadership vacuum in the United States of America. It is especially difficult to get one's head around the Senate's Promethean effort to force a vote on a measure of utterly unknown content. It is obscene that tactical gamesmanship takes precedence over the serious consequences of an issue that affects the health and survival of millions of Americans and one-sixth of the US economy.
The whole charade is obscene, simply obscene. In any other universe but the bizzarro nut-house of warped mirrors we have created for ourselves, it would be beyond any possible belief.
We are what we elect to office. Understand this. Get used to it. Do something about it. I am talking about US!
The whole charade is obscene, simply obscene. In any other universe but the bizzarro nut-house of warped mirrors we have created for ourselves, it would be beyond any possible belief.
We are what we elect to office. Understand this. Get used to it. Do something about it. I am talking about US!
16
McCain's vote is simply shameful since he and his colleagues get taxpayer supported healthcare. The idea that McConnell would continue to give us a bill without any public input speaks volumes to his real goals in passing a bill. Erase Obama's achievements from the books an get back to redistribution of wealth in the "right" direction, from the bottom up.
9
What's surreal is that McCain just returned FROM HAVING BRAIN SURGERY, which was undoubtedly covered by his medical insurance, to cast a vote to advance the GOP's heartless agenda to make health insurance less available and less affordable for millions of people. Seriously, these people are just bad people.
16
I think he realizes that we must move forward with debate, as the status quo must change. He did say he wouldn't vote for the current proposals though.
The editorial board should clearly articulate what the Healthcare Act should look like. We need guidance as a nation that is clearly not coming from the three branches of government despite a few lone voices like Senator Sanders. The NYT should get behind the following proposals:
1) Universal single payer Medicare
2) Articulation of the actual costs of the present system which is a profit maximization of a cartel of insurance companies who lobby hard and expensively
3) Disclose all the senators and house members (both Democrat and Republican, Lieberman was a Democrat most of his adult life after all) who are in the payroll of the above mentioned cartel (campaign donations properly tabulated should suffice)
4) Articulate the costs (if any after the fat of the current profit maximizing cartel is taken out) of quickly transitioning to 1) and suggest increase in taxes to the people who could easily afford them and lift the Social security tax cap to help further
5) Articulate how Canada, France, Japan, Germany, Italy, Australia, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Benelux, Austria run their Healthcare systems in a comprehensive survey article series
6) Conclude strongly what you stand for
7) Stop your animosity towards our best hope for next President, Bernie Sanders
1) Universal single payer Medicare
2) Articulation of the actual costs of the present system which is a profit maximization of a cartel of insurance companies who lobby hard and expensively
3) Disclose all the senators and house members (both Democrat and Republican, Lieberman was a Democrat most of his adult life after all) who are in the payroll of the above mentioned cartel (campaign donations properly tabulated should suffice)
4) Articulate the costs (if any after the fat of the current profit maximizing cartel is taken out) of quickly transitioning to 1) and suggest increase in taxes to the people who could easily afford them and lift the Social security tax cap to help further
5) Articulate how Canada, France, Japan, Germany, Italy, Australia, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Benelux, Austria run their Healthcare systems in a comprehensive survey article series
6) Conclude strongly what you stand for
7) Stop your animosity towards our best hope for next President, Bernie Sanders
11
The staggering fact is the ACA was largely based on an old conservative Heritage Foundation plan from the early 1980s.
And now the GOP demonizes it and is determined to reject a truly conservative health care plan--which is another indication just how much farther to the political right and extremist the GOP has gone over the past decades.
21st century GOP motto: Why make it better when we can make it so much worse for so many more Americans! Sick!
And now the GOP demonizes it and is determined to reject a truly conservative health care plan--which is another indication just how much farther to the political right and extremist the GOP has gone over the past decades.
21st century GOP motto: Why make it better when we can make it so much worse for so many more Americans! Sick!
10
"for whatever reason - pride, White House pressure, sheer cussedness - he just wants to get a bill out of the senate" The article left out because Mitch McConnell is a plutocratic sociopath who craves nothing but power. He believes that only the rich deserve, well, anything. He has shown that through the policies in his state. The poor are there to be exploited and if they die sooner, all the better, that way he can buy a new yacht. While it's true that the electorate is uneducated and keep electing him that doesn't change the fact that he keeps lying to them.
The only why out of this mess is to repeal citizens united, publicly fund all elections down to the local school board and mandate all districts maps are drawn mathematically on a non-partisan basis
Until then McConnell will keep lying, keep exploiting not only the people in his state for the whole country. McConnell cares nothing about the United States or the people who inhabit it, he only cares about the wealthy who line his pockets.
The only why out of this mess is to repeal citizens united, publicly fund all elections down to the local school board and mandate all districts maps are drawn mathematically on a non-partisan basis
Until then McConnell will keep lying, keep exploiting not only the people in his state for the whole country. McConnell cares nothing about the United States or the people who inhabit it, he only cares about the wealthy who line his pockets.
11
Now everyone will know who the GOP works for.
No, I guess they won't....
No, I guess they won't....
5
You can always count on McCain on making a lot of noise but at the end supporting the worst proposals of his party. I feel sorry for his illness but at least he has good health care, not like he a and his party want for the rest of us.
11
The United States Travesty!
7
Lee Drutman in his op-ed "The Real Civil War in the Democratic Party" (today's NYT) is absolutely correct. As a result of its negative campaign against the Democrats, the Republican Party has ended up with Donald Trump as its leader. If the Democrats continue their negative criticisms of the Republicans as their principal political approach (I do not think the "Better Deal" is really anything new and different from the New Deal), they will end up with a Lenin. And that will be dead on arrival.
1
Oh, come on. "Lenin"?
It's always interesting to notice the twisted mindset of rabid republicans.
Drumpf is currently based in our White House not "because of" republican support, but in spite of it.
The assertion that the USA will automatically morph into a Communist state by establishing a viable health care system for "all" of its citizens is both ridiculous and disingenuous.
The USA is not bent on becoming some sort of Randian frontier land, no matter what Lyin' Ryan spews.
Republicans cannot solve the health care problem because they ARE the problem with American health care delivery.
It's always interesting to notice the twisted mindset of rabid republicans.
Drumpf is currently based in our White House not "because of" republican support, but in spite of it.
The assertion that the USA will automatically morph into a Communist state by establishing a viable health care system for "all" of its citizens is both ridiculous and disingenuous.
The USA is not bent on becoming some sort of Randian frontier land, no matter what Lyin' Ryan spews.
Republicans cannot solve the health care problem because they ARE the problem with American health care delivery.
6
McCain first voted to go forward with the debate of these horrific bills, any one of which would strip healthcare from tens of millions of Americans, and give fat cats a huge tax benefit. Then he said that the Senate should operate according to "regular order" using its committees to prepare bills and report them out, with bipartisan involvement.
He got it backwards.
He should have first voted NOT to debate these bills, generated without the proper procedure. He should then have stated that he voted "NO" to force the Senate to operate using regular order as he suggested.
He is not that inexperienced. I have to believe that McCain's statement AFTER voting "Aye" is a self-serving statement with which he thinks he is maintaining his "integrity."
He forgot the adage "Actions speak louder than words."
He got it backwards.
He should have first voted NOT to debate these bills, generated without the proper procedure. He should then have stated that he voted "NO" to force the Senate to operate using regular order as he suggested.
He is not that inexperienced. I have to believe that McCain's statement AFTER voting "Aye" is a self-serving statement with which he thinks he is maintaining his "integrity."
He forgot the adage "Actions speak louder than words."
12
Obfuscate, lie, the do whatever the industry lobbyists order you to do. Land of the free... Oh, the irony!
Senator McCain's wife, Cindy, has been appointed as US Ambassador to the Vatican. But I'm sure such craven careerism wouldn't factor into his vote. Senator McConnell's wife, Elaine Chao,is the current US Secretary of Transportation. Might they pay a career price if he can't pass this legislation?
7
It's Newt Gingrich's wife, but that's no better.
1
Call. Email. Tweet. Publicly shame every senator who voted to kill Americans with this terrible effort to salve Republican pride and express contempt for the citizens they are supposed to represent. They work for us, and their greed and drive to acquire and keep power has made them forget that. We MUSt act, because it's clear they won't.
6
All Americans who care about health, their own and the health of our earth, must join in mass protest. I am beyond horrified by the daily assaults and hope that such a protest will come before our mutual devastation.
4
John McCain lost his hard earned place in Profiles in Courage.
7
McCain has always been a hypocrite who hid behind a war story of heroism. If he is a believer as he claims to be, may his god help him when he makes it to the other side. His return to the senate floor to deny people basic coverage, which is a human right and should be covered by the famous clause of our founding fathers guaranteeing it (how can you pursue happiness without health?) is beyond disgusting. To think this guy ran for president is only understandable when we look at who we have running the country now.
5
Matthew 25:40-45New International Version (NIV)
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
11
It can't be more eloquently stated, Tom, than in this reading from Matthew 25. The salesmen of selfishness should be ashamed, but I realize that too many of them are incapable of knowing shame.
'Reminds me of Galbraith's comment: "The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness."
'Reminds me of Galbraith's comment: "The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness."
1
At the initial stage, the Senate Majority Leader, led a group of his fellow Senators to review and discuss the health care bill. It was all done in secrecy. With the passing of the procedural vote, we have no idea what the next step is going to be.
There are three proposals on the table. Yet, it is unknown which of them will take the center stage for a debate.
Mitch McConnell has been too long in the Senate. He is not someone who is mindful of the people's concerns. He does not care what the people think. If he were to retire tomorrow, what would he lose? Being an elected representative himself, there is not one time, have we seen Mr. McConnell sharing people's concerns. What is it that drives his insensitivity to what people are saying? Today's editorial rightly points it out - is it pride, pressure from the White House, or sheer cussedness?
We elect these politicians into office, to represent the people, and do what is right for the people. It is the people's needs. We do not see that happening. Because, the elected representatives are always watching the good of the vested interests. The interests of the people becomes secondary. Do these politicians care?
There are three proposals on the table. Yet, it is unknown which of them will take the center stage for a debate.
Mitch McConnell has been too long in the Senate. He is not someone who is mindful of the people's concerns. He does not care what the people think. If he were to retire tomorrow, what would he lose? Being an elected representative himself, there is not one time, have we seen Mr. McConnell sharing people's concerns. What is it that drives his insensitivity to what people are saying? Today's editorial rightly points it out - is it pride, pressure from the White House, or sheer cussedness?
We elect these politicians into office, to represent the people, and do what is right for the people. It is the people's needs. We do not see that happening. Because, the elected representatives are always watching the good of the vested interests. The interests of the people becomes secondary. Do these politicians care?
5
The reason the R's have run into trouble here is that they are trying to repeal the Patient Protection And Affordable Care Act, not Obamacare, as their rhetoric claims, and those PROTECTIONS are what will defeat them in the end.
Affordability will alway be in question when it comes to insurance of any kind, but the PROTECTIONS afforded by the PPACA are political dynamite that will explode any myth the myth-happy Republicans can come up with.
My suggestion to the R's? Get real!
Affordability will alway be in question when it comes to insurance of any kind, but the PROTECTIONS afforded by the PPACA are political dynamite that will explode any myth the myth-happy Republicans can come up with.
My suggestion to the R's? Get real!
6
I guess for McCain, stopping 32,000,000 from having access to the kind of healthcare that he gets for free is his idea of "getting things done!".
10
Culling the Herd. And, too stupid to realize that the those culled are mostly THEIR base. Please Proceed, GOP.
7
John McCain is VERY lucky he has good health care coverage. Too bad the rest of us don't have that option.
5
The travesty was and is Obamacare itself and, no, getting rid of Obamacare wouldn't "leave millions more people without health insurance"--it would just require people to actually pay for it themselves. Nowhere in American custom has it been promised that some could compel others to pay for the services they receive.
If you want groceries, you buy them. You don't steal them from your neighbour. If you want a home, you buy or rent a place to live--you don't just barge in on your neighbour and demand a bedroom. And if you want health insurance, you pay for it yourself. You don't just demand that your neighbours pay for it.
It's a sad state of affairs in America when whining, aggressive, demanding, dependency has become socially acceptable.
If you want groceries, you buy them. You don't steal them from your neighbour. If you want a home, you buy or rent a place to live--you don't just barge in on your neighbour and demand a bedroom. And if you want health insurance, you pay for it yourself. You don't just demand that your neighbours pay for it.
It's a sad state of affairs in America when whining, aggressive, demanding, dependency has become socially acceptable.
3
It's a sad state of affairs in American when "compassion" has become a dirty word.
4
Meanwhile, in the rest of the civilized world, access to healthcare is considered a human right. Something that Thomas Paine came around to before his death.
2
Never forget that whoever harms his neighbor also harms Himself!
2
"Republicans seem oblivious to . . . the danger that voters who lose their health care could retaliate at the ballot box . . ."
Far from "oblivious," the GOP leaders understand that they are effectively immune to electoral retribution for their acts, however grossly unpopular. In 2014 the GOP House majority went into the midterm election with an 8 percent approval rating; 222 GOP House incumbents stood for re-election. How many were defeated? TWO. That's 220 out of 22 re-elected (and an overall gain of 13 seats!) on the back of an 8 percent approval rating! A teachable moment.
It's up to you whether you want to connect the dots to their effective ownership of the outfits that supply and program our voting computers (Dominion, ES&S, Command Central, etc.). Whether it's rigging (for which there is copious forensic evidence) or simply gerrymandering, Big $$, and voter suppression (notice how, recognizing that they're going to need a lot more of it, they ginned up the Kobach Commission to grab voter data and make it easier to target disenfranchisement?), the GOP leaders know that they can pull outrageously unpopular stunts like this one (and plenty more to come) and somehow manage to hold onto power in "shocking" electoral "victories" (e.g., GA-6) that demonstrate that "the American people don't seem to be carrying their outrage (and interests) with them into the voting booth tonight, [insert news anchor of your choice]."
It is WE who are oblivious.
Far from "oblivious," the GOP leaders understand that they are effectively immune to electoral retribution for their acts, however grossly unpopular. In 2014 the GOP House majority went into the midterm election with an 8 percent approval rating; 222 GOP House incumbents stood for re-election. How many were defeated? TWO. That's 220 out of 22 re-elected (and an overall gain of 13 seats!) on the back of an 8 percent approval rating! A teachable moment.
It's up to you whether you want to connect the dots to their effective ownership of the outfits that supply and program our voting computers (Dominion, ES&S, Command Central, etc.). Whether it's rigging (for which there is copious forensic evidence) or simply gerrymandering, Big $$, and voter suppression (notice how, recognizing that they're going to need a lot more of it, they ginned up the Kobach Commission to grab voter data and make it easier to target disenfranchisement?), the GOP leaders know that they can pull outrageously unpopular stunts like this one (and plenty more to come) and somehow manage to hold onto power in "shocking" electoral "victories" (e.g., GA-6) that demonstrate that "the American people don't seem to be carrying their outrage (and interests) with them into the voting booth tonight, [insert news anchor of your choice]."
It is WE who are oblivious.
7
Trump should issue Executive Orders to have all government employees, appointed, elected and general hires, procure the best insurance coverage they can afford through healthcare.gov. No gimmies, no preferred packages, no free ride-for-life ... buy your own & go back to work
1
Are we going to have a change in Health Plans every time there is a new President or a change in Congressional Leadership? We need congress, both the House and Senate to work together to make some changes in the existing ACA and then sit back and let it work.
9
The US is a country with many civil people governed by uncivilized deplorables who are routinely mocked internationally. RIP the myth of the American dream.
8
I hope McCain lives long enough to see the carnage his yes vote on trumpcare would create for the poor and those who cannot afford affordable health coverage.
5
Shim: McCain won't care. And I have no use for this "hero" and "maverick" anymore.
4
He did not vote yes on trumpcare, he voted yes to allow debate on trumpcare. There is a big difference; I do not want any of the bills currently under consideration to pass as they currently stand, but I do want to hear the debate on them. Only thus can we hear the reasons our representatives support or oppose them, only thus can the facts about the bills and their effects be brought out.
Not allowing debate is like a young child sticking his fingers in his ears and chanting 'I can't hear you" when an unpleasant topic come up.
Not allowing debate is like a young child sticking his fingers in his ears and chanting 'I can't hear you" when an unpleasant topic come up.
1
It was two women and zero men who had the courage to stand up to their party leaders and do what is right. Good for them!
12
The republican approach to health care policy for the masses is and always has been... "choke, go broke, croak." But for 'important' folks (like Senators) society must spare no cost to give them the best and most expensive health care possible. The evil they are working to perpetrate on this country is breath-taking.
13
When Hillary called Trump supporters "deplorables," she meant a group of his voters. When I call Trump supporters "deplorables," I mean politicians in the Republican Party who support this insanity and have turned against their voters to satisfy their racist needs to destroy everything Obama while also handing taxpayer money to the deplorable 1% who have been sucking our country dry for decades. If 43,000 Americans per year have to die because they cannot afford health insurance anymore, these deplorables will not lose any sleep. They probably firmly believe that the poor have not deserved better.
13
Those elected by The People are doing these things for themselves and just a few others who only profit from the result at the cost of millions, not in money but in the health and by the blood of so many who it seems have no voice allowed to add to these votes that will determine their fate.
All for the love of money.
All for the love of money.
7
The Republican position the current ACA and their plan(s) to repeal and/or replace it shows how bankrupt and cruel the republican party has become.
They rail against mandates, about how the process was conducted in the ACA original debate, and how small business is hurt from the current ACA.
They continue to rant about how the ACA is imploding.
Yet, less the 20% of Americans view the republican plan a viable. Menwhile nearly 50% of Americans support Obamacare (and the support is increasing, not going down) and support the need for Medicaid for our most vulnerable and need worth citizens.
So, what is the republican answer to all this: Keep trying eliminate health care altogether and throw our citizens to the curb, or, enact something in such a way that it will effectively ensure that there is no viable health care program for people who actually need.
They rail against mandates, about how the process was conducted in the ACA original debate, and how small business is hurt from the current ACA.
They continue to rant about how the ACA is imploding.
Yet, less the 20% of Americans view the republican plan a viable. Menwhile nearly 50% of Americans support Obamacare (and the support is increasing, not going down) and support the need for Medicaid for our most vulnerable and need worth citizens.
So, what is the republican answer to all this: Keep trying eliminate health care altogether and throw our citizens to the curb, or, enact something in such a way that it will effectively ensure that there is no viable health care program for people who actually need.
7
Why the left thinks that just having access to insurance is somehow a panacea is quite mysterious. Seems a propaganda line uber alles.
What good is "medical" insurance when the premiums and the deductibles make out-of-pocket for many middle class families not insured through their employer reach into five figures? That's not healthcare, that's robbery.
Quite simply what has happened under ACA is that the middle class has been savaged with higher premiums, higher deductibles, and more public debt.
Time to cut through the ad nauseam Liberal Imperialist propaganda, e.g., this editorial, and to repeal--immediately--and start over.
What good is "medical" insurance when the premiums and the deductibles make out-of-pocket for many middle class families not insured through their employer reach into five figures? That's not healthcare, that's robbery.
Quite simply what has happened under ACA is that the middle class has been savaged with higher premiums, higher deductibles, and more public debt.
Time to cut through the ad nauseam Liberal Imperialist propaganda, e.g., this editorial, and to repeal--immediately--and start over.
2
In the last quarter of 2016, the number of uninsured Americans was the lowest in history. The ACA opened access to healthcare to more than 20 million people, and correspondingly they benefited from preventative care, diagnoses, treatment, prescriptions, and basic care, many for the first time in their lives.
A Harvard study found that the first five years of the ACA reduced mortality by 6% Lives were saved.
Premiums were going up before the ACA by much larger numbers, while at the same time people were losing their insurance in massive numbers due to preexisting conditions, loss of jobs, age, gender, etc. 49 million Americans were uninsured before the ACA.
This is not propaganda. it is not liberal.
These are facts, and are well-supported by various studies including in the New England Journal of Medicine and by the Kaiser Family Foundation.
The lies and propaganda are all on the right wing and are kind of sad. The Trump voters will be hit hard by any repeal.
A Harvard study found that the first five years of the ACA reduced mortality by 6% Lives were saved.
Premiums were going up before the ACA by much larger numbers, while at the same time people were losing their insurance in massive numbers due to preexisting conditions, loss of jobs, age, gender, etc. 49 million Americans were uninsured before the ACA.
This is not propaganda. it is not liberal.
These are facts, and are well-supported by various studies including in the New England Journal of Medicine and by the Kaiser Family Foundation.
The lies and propaganda are all on the right wing and are kind of sad. The Trump voters will be hit hard by any repeal.
10
Every Woman, Man and Child - all 320 million of them - spend on average $9000 per year on healthcare. For a family of 4 that is $36000 per year. That is the inescapable cost of healthcare in this country ($3 trillion healthcare business/ 320 million people).
So your numbers and concern for them are correct, but you should not be surprised by them. Healthcare is an expensive business in every advanced country, especially when the 'for profit' component is added in.
If the actual cost generators are not addressed then these numbers will no improve
So your numbers and concern for them are correct, but you should not be surprised by them. Healthcare is an expensive business in every advanced country, especially when the 'for profit' component is added in.
If the actual cost generators are not addressed then these numbers will no improve
Over 50% of cost is generated by 5% of population...get your facts straight!
The Republicans are 'playing with fire', so to speak. Not only do they threaten to reduce funding for Medicaid (actually, to reduce the growth of Medicaid by changing its indexing) and, thereby, lead to tens of millions of low income people dropping their health insurance because it is unaffordable, they also threaten the economic viability of many states, particularly the so-called 'Red' states. Here is a quote from a Kaiser Foundation report:
http://www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/medicaid-financing-how-does-it-w...
"Effect of Medicaid Spending on State Economies. The influx of federal dollars from the way the Medicaid program is financed has positive effects for state economies. The infusion of federal dollars into the state’s economy results in a multiplier effect, directly affecting not only the providers who received Medicaid payments for the services they provide to beneficiaries, but indirectly affecting other businesses and industries as well. The multiplier effect Medicaid spending has on state economies is expected to grow in states that adopt the Medicaid expansion. "
In other words, if the Republicans kill the ACA, expect a recession to occur very soon. The hardest hit will be those states that went for Trump.
http://www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/medicaid-financing-how-does-it-w...
"Effect of Medicaid Spending on State Economies. The influx of federal dollars from the way the Medicaid program is financed has positive effects for state economies. The infusion of federal dollars into the state’s economy results in a multiplier effect, directly affecting not only the providers who received Medicaid payments for the services they provide to beneficiaries, but indirectly affecting other businesses and industries as well. The multiplier effect Medicaid spending has on state economies is expected to grow in states that adopt the Medicaid expansion. "
In other words, if the Republicans kill the ACA, expect a recession to occur very soon. The hardest hit will be those states that went for Trump.
5
they should repeal all of the mandates to require insurance but keep "essential benefits" for those who want them but subsidize only the truly poor, disabled, etc. no middle class tax credits or subsidies and no subsidizing insurance companies. broad general taxation should be used to help the poor and disabled. authoritarian mandates pit one group against the other and penalize those who have determined they want no insurance or catastrophic only. the middle class should stop whining and let benefits flow to the truly needy.
They should debate. End of story. People will then see the arguments and positions for and against the proposed repeal. There should never be a behind closed doors meeting that involves the lives and health of the nation. They, and the American public, need to have access to actual information related to costs and outcomes of the ACA, including how many Americans are without it due to inability to afford what is presumably affordable.
4
John McCain: not a profile in courage at all. Its easy to be a 'maverick' until you actually have to stand up and be counted. Then its fall in line even when its behind a man who consistently denigrated you and publicly labeled you a coward. How did you sleep last night?
13
They all sleep soundly in their cosseted and gilded castles provided by the tax payers they will bury at record speed thanks to Trumpsky and his puppet Metastatic McConnell... VOTE AS IF YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT!
4
On a large mattress of money.
4
K Street and its insurance lobbyists are behind the GOP push to destroy Obamacare. The insurance juggernaut wants to make even more billions off the backs of the middle class and the poor. Many of these K Street lobbyists are ex Senators and Congressmen. The NYT never reports on the insidious impact of K Street on the lives of ordinary American citizens.
2
If congress " really cares " about us they would open their plan to all Americans. Check out article on CNBC. You forgot to mention John McCains statements regarding the media.
4
Now war hero and cancer victim, so I don't suppose we get to say how utterly disgusting it is when John McCain talks down to congress about playing politics and not getting anything done. He taught cynicism and abdication of responsibility to most of them when he made his running mate selection. It is just astounding the people we choose to look up to.
12
These people or criminals, plain and simple.
8
Don't sentimentalize McCain. It's shameful for an old man to fly from his hospital bed to help deny health care to poor people.
19
Perhaps Senator McCain voted the wrong way accidentally as a result of his medical condition? That would explain the apparent conflict between his preamble and his vote.
4
My fellow Americans... Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for me. --DTs
5
Imagine if you had the power to reduce suffering, save people's lives, reduce horrific burdens on sick and poor people and you choose instead to let those people suffer, let them die, destroy their families so that you can hand out 100's of millions of dollars to the richest people in the world?
What kind of a person would you be? Judas comes to mind. Perhaps Pontius Pilot, Pol Pot, Chairman Mao, Putin?
Instead you are the Senate Majority Leader of the US Senate in the United
States of America in 2017.
What kind of a person would you be? Judas comes to mind. Perhaps Pontius Pilot, Pol Pot, Chairman Mao, Putin?
Instead you are the Senate Majority Leader of the US Senate in the United
States of America in 2017.
295
you have stated it the best. shame on them.
2
Pilate had a bit of a conscience.
Jes sayin'.
Jes sayin'.
Judas suffered from remorse. There is no Republican who seems to suffer from any remorse, unless they get primaried from the right financed by wealthy, utterly selfish donors.
Please do not demean Judas by comparing Republicans and their cruelty to him.
Please do not demean Judas by comparing Republicans and their cruelty to him.
2
Up until McCain voted I honestly thought he would vote NO.... that he flew in to make a stand for single payer... the only stand was grandstanding
10
For those of you who voted Republican, you get what you deserve. For the rest of the US, it's absolutely appalling.
19
Surreal is one word, sadistic also fits. When the most vulnerable, the blind, the halt and the lame are out there protesting, something must be going very, very wrong.
11
I can only conclude that a more diverse Senate would produce better, more necessary, and more compassionate legislation. This bloc of chest thumping testosteronic group-think white males, most notably on the right side of the aisle, does not represent or reflect our current citizenry. We are governed (ruled?) by the minority.
10
I am sick of Trump railing against and sabotaging Obamacare so Republicans can ram through a heartless substitute that will deprive millions of health care. He may not want to own it but this huckster of a president will be blamed for the failure of Obamacare and he will own whatever form of TrumpDoesn'tare gets through Congress. Let Ryan and McConnell have their way. The GOP will pay dearly for it at the polls, losing both houses of Congress, and Trump's dreams of re-election will go poof. Right now he prefers campaigning to governing but let's see how he likes it when his previously adoring crowds vent their anger at every one of his ego trips.
11
Fake News? This is appears to be a Fake Administration.
9
Senator McCain
We are all deeply saddened by your condition. If I might offer one observation - one silver lining - you are now free from the consequences of voter censure. Please consider that you can take this moment and speak the unfettered truth: a soliloquy to direct the nation away from this abyss. You have the floor Senator.
We are all deeply saddened by your condition. If I might offer one observation - one silver lining - you are now free from the consequences of voter censure. Please consider that you can take this moment and speak the unfettered truth: a soliloquy to direct the nation away from this abyss. You have the floor Senator.
9
I'd appreciate if the NYT could provide an analysis and graphic comparing the type of coverage that Semator McCain received as a public servant and that which would be received under any of these scenarios being pushed by Republicans. This is in no way a dig at Senator McCain, a man I respect, but might help others understand the inequities created within our current system.
6
Lately I have been considering the idea of just standing around in silence while Ryan and McConnell inflict their ruinous health plan on the country. Millions of innocents including many in Trump’s camp will suffer and chaos will reign, but if that what it takes to bring people to their senses and get rid of Trump and the Republicans, so be it.
You can’t make an omelette without breaking some eggs.
You can’t make an omelette without breaking some eggs.
5
... but if that is what it takes ....
1
Shame. The only thing I will regret about his inevitable death is that it won't leave him with a huge bill, since he enjoys excellent health insurance from the government that denies it to others
6
What is the role of the health insurance and Big Pharma in this morass?
A Dem was on CNN (tuned in too late for his identity) saying changes in the ACA are needed to allow the insurance industry to make enough money?!!. Gee, I thought Dems were for the people. (Whoops, corporations are people!)
I do favor competition from for profit insurance to keep government on its toes but there must be regulations on both private and government practices. Other nations who have both systems as well of health care for all as well with longer life spans and lower disease rates do enforce regulations.
The US belief in free enterprise is a myth; it's not free when giants win out. It's not a market place; it's government for the already filthy rich and by the already filthy rich. I'm not advocating that loaded term "socialism" I'm in favor of honest capitalism. We had the integrity of democracy to squelch the Robber Barons. Where is that integrity today?
A Dem was on CNN (tuned in too late for his identity) saying changes in the ACA are needed to allow the insurance industry to make enough money?!!. Gee, I thought Dems were for the people. (Whoops, corporations are people!)
I do favor competition from for profit insurance to keep government on its toes but there must be regulations on both private and government practices. Other nations who have both systems as well of health care for all as well with longer life spans and lower disease rates do enforce regulations.
The US belief in free enterprise is a myth; it's not free when giants win out. It's not a market place; it's government for the already filthy rich and by the already filthy rich. I'm not advocating that loaded term "socialism" I'm in favor of honest capitalism. We had the integrity of democracy to squelch the Robber Barons. Where is that integrity today?
4
John McCain's "maverick" moniker, as is the case with almost everything the GOP claims, is a lie. For political purposes, it was McCain who unleashed Palin on us. After having his service denigrated by someone who knows nothing--including integrity--McCain supports the boy king. Now, after enjoying years of government healthcare and, unfortunately, facing his own imminent mortality, McCain leaves his hospital bed to deny millions of Americans of the very care that has helped to keep him alive. I am baffled about why there is anyone left in this country who is unable to see the hypocrisy of the Republicans and their callous--no, cruel idea--of serving the public. Shame on the GOP.
8
Nice speech by McCain, but his vote does just the opposite of causing both sides to work together. We'll see what we end up with. But 7 years of creating nothing but whining complaints? Seriously, these republicans are incompetent. Problem is, they're mean on top of that, which is a disastrous combination. Will trump supporters ever wake up? After seeing the rubes behind him at one of his Hitler rallies, I fear not.
Do we taxpayers pay for these ridiculous rallies? Can't this be stopped or make the crook pay for them himself.
Do we taxpayers pay for these ridiculous rallies? Can't this be stopped or make the crook pay for them himself.
6
A. The United States is an original ratifying party to the Constitution of the World Health Organization. As such, we agree to the statements in its preamble, and ithe health-related objects and purposes for "all peoples". Yet we deny them for our own by a repeal of the ACA and/or a right-revoking series of amendments.
Would the Congress and President of the U.S. deny:
that "Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity; that the health of all people's is fundamental to the attainment of peace and security and is dependent upon the fullest cooperation of individuals and the State, AND
C.
1. The "enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition." ...
2. "The extension to all peoples of the benefits of medical, psychological and related knowledge is essential to the fullest attainment of health."
3. "Governments have a responsibility for the Health of their people's which can be fulfilled only by the provision of adequate health and social measures."
4. The objective of The World Health Organization [and therefore, the parties to this Constitution] shall be the attainment by all people's of the highest possible level of health."
Would the Congress and President of the U.S. deny:
that "Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity; that the health of all people's is fundamental to the attainment of peace and security and is dependent upon the fullest cooperation of individuals and the State, AND
C.
1. The "enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition." ...
2. "The extension to all peoples of the benefits of medical, psychological and related knowledge is essential to the fullest attainment of health."
3. "Governments have a responsibility for the Health of their people's which can be fulfilled only by the provision of adequate health and social measures."
4. The objective of The World Health Organization [and therefore, the parties to this Constitution] shall be the attainment by all people's of the highest possible level of health."
5
The SENATE'S Travesty: the GOP. On ANY topic. PEROID.
2
John McCain and the Art of Cowardice. What a despicable charlatan. McCain once again proves he's a soulless hypocrite. After receiving top medical care, paid for by the taxpayers, for his serious medical condition, McCain couldn't wait to get to Washington and stab 30 million Americans in the back. A despicable man, wrapping up a worthless, cowardly existence. McCain could have been a hero, but he's deep down a coward, a go along, not a "maverick"
3
John McCain couldn't let his moment in the spotlight yesterday pass without manifesting his core Republican principle of lying between his teeth.
Thus:
"The Obama administration and congressional Democrats shouldn’t have forced through Congress without any opposition support a social and economic change as massive as Obamacare."
Despicable untruth.
Thus:
"The Obama administration and congressional Democrats shouldn’t have forced through Congress without any opposition support a social and economic change as massive as Obamacare."
Despicable untruth.
6
The rich get richer and the middle class and poor get stiffed.
4
The editorial should have mentioned that AFTER his cute little speech mccain voted for the bill he said he WOULDN'T vote for????!?!?
6
Wrong.
He voted for publicly viewed, bipartisan DEBATE of all existing formats of McConnellcare and proposed amendments. With a vote on a product to be AFTER all of that.
The game is just really beginning! And this is the process we should have gone long ago.
Here is the chance to get premiums and deductible more sensible.
He voted for publicly viewed, bipartisan DEBATE of all existing formats of McConnellcare and proposed amendments. With a vote on a product to be AFTER all of that.
The game is just really beginning! And this is the process we should have gone long ago.
Here is the chance to get premiums and deductible more sensible.
Bring on the debate!!!
Democrats, get very specific and devastating in you critiques! Bring your oratory best. Make it very, very dramatically clear how bad each of the three options is.
Dump sappy political cliches about yourselves and opponents. Do the most powerful, specific slamming about what is happening currently to families under the burden of the high premiums and high deductibles.
Pound away at the millions still uninsured, and the millions more who would be damaged by McConnellcare in any of the three formats.
Set the stage for it to become VERY embarrassing and damaging ultimately for ANY politician who would ultimately vote post debate for McConnellcare.
Most of all, promote a couple great improvements you would support on a bipartisan fix to ACA. After all, it is not enough to be against something, you also need to be FOR something that is vastly better.
Act like this is one of the political battles of your life. The health and lives of millions of Americans depends on you taking strong steps to improve our healthcare.
Game on! Debate with intensity! Make the Republicans become "Red" in the face--truly embarrassed--they are not out there passionately fighting for the well being of every household's healthcare!!
Democrats, get very specific and devastating in you critiques! Bring your oratory best. Make it very, very dramatically clear how bad each of the three options is.
Dump sappy political cliches about yourselves and opponents. Do the most powerful, specific slamming about what is happening currently to families under the burden of the high premiums and high deductibles.
Pound away at the millions still uninsured, and the millions more who would be damaged by McConnellcare in any of the three formats.
Set the stage for it to become VERY embarrassing and damaging ultimately for ANY politician who would ultimately vote post debate for McConnellcare.
Most of all, promote a couple great improvements you would support on a bipartisan fix to ACA. After all, it is not enough to be against something, you also need to be FOR something that is vastly better.
Act like this is one of the political battles of your life. The health and lives of millions of Americans depends on you taking strong steps to improve our healthcare.
Game on! Debate with intensity! Make the Republicans become "Red" in the face--truly embarrassed--they are not out there passionately fighting for the well being of every household's healthcare!!
5
"The Better Care Reconciliation Act"?
More accurately described as the "the Better Care for the Rich Non-reconciliation GOP Act to Make America Sicker"
More pink slime from the GOP.
The Republicans need to come with a warning label: CAUTION: REPUBLICANS MAY BE HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH
More accurately described as the "the Better Care for the Rich Non-reconciliation GOP Act to Make America Sicker"
More pink slime from the GOP.
The Republicans need to come with a warning label: CAUTION: REPUBLICANS MAY BE HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH
6
When did politicians decide that their goal was to make life worse the American people instead of better. Much worse. And what happened to John McCain's spine, did they remove it last week? How shameful to receive the best health care in the world just days ago, paid for by his fellow Americans, and then vote to advance this disgraceful bill! This isn't what I was brought up to believe America stood for. I'm disgusted with these so called patriots. Traitors all of them.
224
"fred" wrote: "When did politicians decide that their goal was to make life worse the American people instead of better?"
Not "politicians." But "Republican politicians."
Not "politicians." But "Republican politicians."
1
The current version of the Republican Party exists to further the wealth of the wealthy, at the direct expense and sacrifice of every other constituency.
That even 10 average working Americans would support such a bunch of anti populist gangsters amazes me.
Obviously, there are far too many citizens of this country who are either blind, deaf or simply stupid.
That even 10 average working Americans would support such a bunch of anti populist gangsters amazes me.
Obviously, there are far too many citizens of this country who are either blind, deaf or simply stupid.
3
Trump promised better. Then his people say "well thats the goal". Goal and Promise, two different words. For all you who voted for Trump, for some I can see why, HRC was so so so objectionable. But now you reap what you sow. Have fun with that USA! This country is one I am no longer proud of.
2
I think that if McCain had come back and voted no, Trump would have turned his praise to vile criticism. Something like: I like people who don't get brain tumors. As outlandish as that sounds, remember I am talking about Trump.
5
Here's the picture of McConnell (what ever happened to his eyebrows?) with beady eyes staring nowhere mentally preparing another babble sandwich to explain how it's a good idea to have 10 million or 32 million of his fellow citizens though not his constituents go without life saving health insurance. The two sycophants apparently in love with McConnell's ears are standing by. Do they follow him around like loyal cows? What a dismal unfortunate image. Soon McConnell will walk away with his cows and rictus grin.
3
McCain talks big and makes himself sound like a maverick. When it comes down to a vote he goes 100% with the Party leadership. Just listening to him, it sounds like a true leader, a man with not only his hand across the aisle, but encouraging his Republican Associates to do the same. But what does he do when called to act? His loyalty is totally to the Party leadership, following along like a subordinate minion.
4
While the Republicans cheered on by the deranged Captain are busy drilling holes in the lifeboats of our ship of state or cutting them from their davits, only two of their number from opposite sides of the country are acting as clear-eyed lookouts screaming "Iceberg ahead!" to the other officers, crew and passengers aboard.
And Senator "XO" McConnell is busy fluffing the pillows on the deck chairs and moving them into the waning light so enough Republicans will be comfortable for voting against the interests of the passengers locked in the lower decks.
Even turtles don't survive in frigid water, XO.
And Senator "XO" McConnell is busy fluffing the pillows on the deck chairs and moving them into the waning light so enough Republicans will be comfortable for voting against the interests of the passengers locked in the lower decks.
Even turtles don't survive in frigid water, XO.
2
McCain's peek into the yawning grave failed to inspire compassion in him. Maybe it'll come after a couple courses of chemo for his brain tumor. Or, maybe after Obamacare had died the death of a thousand amendments, McCain will have survived to see millions of Americans literally dying to have the health care we bought him.
151
The attempt to kill the ACA is class warfare - Republicans are looking out for billionaires and nobody else. But we already knew that...
It is really annoying that Democratic leaders Pelosi and Schumer yesterday came out with a weak and unconvincing "Better Deal" slogan - it misses the mark entirely and it will not motivate voters in 2018.
Bernie Sanders got the messaging right: Democrats must hammer the point that we are in a full-out class warfare with billionaires vrs. the working class.
Pew and Gallop polls illustrate that 60% of Americans favor single-payer universal health care, but Democratic leaders are mewing about merely a "better deal"? That sounds like low-calorie Trump all over again. It has no teeth, much less fangs.
Back to the drawing board, Democratic 'leaders', and you don't have much time left to pull your act together...
It is really annoying that Democratic leaders Pelosi and Schumer yesterday came out with a weak and unconvincing "Better Deal" slogan - it misses the mark entirely and it will not motivate voters in 2018.
Bernie Sanders got the messaging right: Democrats must hammer the point that we are in a full-out class warfare with billionaires vrs. the working class.
Pew and Gallop polls illustrate that 60% of Americans favor single-payer universal health care, but Democratic leaders are mewing about merely a "better deal"? That sounds like low-calorie Trump all over again. It has no teeth, much less fangs.
Back to the drawing board, Democratic 'leaders', and you don't have much time left to pull your act together...
2
Readers should not be duped by McCain and Graham, the straight talkin' common sense have no fear above the fray Republican Senators who actually have undistinguished legislative records, inevitably tow the party line and are the public lap dogs of the Pentagon.
My father won the Bronze Star in WW2 , and would be disgusted by their politics.
My father won the Bronze Star in WW2 , and would be disgusted by their politics.
3
When will you wake up and see that these narcissistic juveniles are just trying to clear the way for divine intervention?
2
Being in Congress, John McCain has gold-plated health insurance about 10 steps removed from that of the average voting slob. He should use it and demand a brain re-scan, because it’s quite impossible to have brain cancer if you don’t have a brain.
And to think, McCain is alleged to be one of the more thoughtful Republican senators. Just not thoughtful enough to realize that throwing a party for Frankenstein’s monster is guaranteed to not end well. The only two Republicans who voted “no” on this procedural matter were women. Me, I’m surprised that the elephant party allows women to be senators.
Speaking of elephants, let’s not forget that it was this very same John McCain who was the Republican nominee for president in 2008. Out of 304 million Americans, who did he pick for vice president? Sarah Palin. (Oh god, and I’ve been trying to be nice to women.) Why was there no brain scan then, for him or for her? She managed, almost without trying, to debase politics, common sense and Darwinism, while paving the way for the Trump clown car to crash into the White House.
And to think, McCain is alleged to be one of the more thoughtful Republican senators. Just not thoughtful enough to realize that throwing a party for Frankenstein’s monster is guaranteed to not end well. The only two Republicans who voted “no” on this procedural matter were women. Me, I’m surprised that the elephant party allows women to be senators.
Speaking of elephants, let’s not forget that it was this very same John McCain who was the Republican nominee for president in 2008. Out of 304 million Americans, who did he pick for vice president? Sarah Palin. (Oh god, and I’ve been trying to be nice to women.) Why was there no brain scan then, for him or for her? She managed, almost without trying, to debase politics, common sense and Darwinism, while paving the way for the Trump clown car to crash into the White House.
3
Anything the Senate passes on health care "could then go into conference with the House" OR IT COULD BE PASSED UNCHANGED BY THE HOUSE. Then whatever it is will be signed by Trumpty Dumpty and become the law of the land. Promise to base filled. Tax cut done. Medicare halved. People die. On to eliminating all the support for people in favor of 1% and corporations in the tax bill. Similar 'process'.
3
Republican Party to the American people:" DROP DEAD!"
4
McCain was right about one thing yesterday. After his bizarre and contradictory vote and speech, we surely regret all the nice things that were said about him last week.
3
Sorry, Senator McCain, actions speak louder than words.
You speak nobly about bipartisanship but then you vote along party lines to take healthcare away from millions of Americans.
You should be ashamed of yourself.
And all this while benefiting all your life from government funded health insurance.
This makes you a hypocrite.
Shame on you.
You speak nobly about bipartisanship but then you vote along party lines to take healthcare away from millions of Americans.
You should be ashamed of yourself.
And all this while benefiting all your life from government funded health insurance.
This makes you a hypocrite.
Shame on you.
6
Too bad the electorate CAN NOT or WILL NOT remember that in 1989, Sen. McCain (R) was accused of corruption, as one of 'The Keating Five' who were deeply involved in the Lincoln Savings and Loan Association scandal. Fortunately, for Sen. McCain, he was not found guilty (given a face-saving Senator's mulligan), but was reprimanded for "POOR JUDGEMENT"!
His vote on the Senate's Health Care travesty is ANOTHER example of Sen. McCain's POOR JUDGEMENT!
His vote on the Senate's Health Care travesty is ANOTHER example of Sen. McCain's POOR JUDGEMENT!
4
Republicans are doing the bidding of their masters - the billionaire big money campaign donors. Whatever bill is passed, you can bet it will benefit the wealthiest Americans at the expense of the rest.
3
Our democracy is quaking!
1
The media has done a disservice by painting the various repeal bills as worse than outright murder, while ignoring all of the numerous glaring problems with the ACA. Insurers began fleeing the Obamacare exchanges before Trump was even elected, and that continues. Medicaid is half of the "newly insured" yet the media ignores the FACT that fewer than half of the nations physicians accept Medicaid patients b/c the reimbursement is so poor. The Democratic Party refuses to even participate in the debate and amendment process b/c they want to protect Obama's legacy at all costs and don't admit the ACA has made things worse.
Maybe the ACA is unfixable.
Maybe the ACA is unfixable.
1
Yesterday's evil vote had much more to do with destroying Obama's legacy than just about anything else.
That said, as a health services researcher, I agree that the ACA might not be fixable. So let's go with the obvious choice, bite the bullet, and go with Medicare for all.
That said, as a health services researcher, I agree that the ACA might not be fixable. So let's go with the obvious choice, bite the bullet, and go with Medicare for all.
4
Good way to start with use of a straw man argument. Good way to ignore the fact that Dems have been talking about the need to fix problems with the ACA from Day 1, while the Reps have been actively working to undermine it from Day 1. Insurers have been fleeing because the Reps have been ACTIVELY sowing uncertainty at every point. They want the ACA to fail. They have never ever said that coverage for all is desirable. They are FINE with 10's of millions of people uninsured, which translates to an inability to afford health care in case something bad happens.
I'm calling you out on your statement because you're trying to use your degree to inflate the value of your opinion. You, of all people, should know better. Part of your job is to figure out how to pull together facts to arrive at logical conclusions. I know this is part of your training, because I have lectured courses that I know for a fact you were required to take in order to even be admitted to med school.
I'm calling you out on your statement because you're trying to use your degree to inflate the value of your opinion. You, of all people, should know better. Part of your job is to figure out how to pull together facts to arrive at logical conclusions. I know this is part of your training, because I have lectured courses that I know for a fact you were required to take in order to even be admitted to med school.
6
Is Mitch McConnell really so loathsome, despicable, contemptible, and deplorable? Yes, and he appears to like being that way. He is Kentucky's big obscene gesture to the rest of the nation.
4
Frankly, I wish that we could excise you americans and all your stupidities from this world and just get on with the world without you - you people have become an active menace and the idiocy coming out of your country is astounding. I cant think of so much concentrated stupidity coming out of so many people or any government or parliament in the whole history of the world. Unbelievable. Im just sick of you all.
4
Let McCain and the entire Congress give up their GREAT healthcare and swim in the cesspool that average Americans have to in order to have healthcare.
Once they and their families live with the American Healthcare Nightmare AHN they will finally figure out that a National Healthcare single payer system is what the country needs.
Once they and their families live with the American Healthcare Nightmare AHN they will finally figure out that a National Healthcare single payer system is what the country needs.
3
Do you know what the definition of Insanity is? How about "The state of being seriously mentally ill; madness" or Extreme foolishness or irrationality? Either one of these apply to the craziness in both the House and the Senate. Neither side of the aisle gets a pass on this. Bipartisanship is dead on arrival. What's the solution? Fire them! Period! Take the time to the next election to see just what your representatives voted either for or against and if it turns out that the majority of the votes they cast were against your core beliefs, have the courage to put away partisan politics and vote them out.
2
McConnell denies a hearing to Obama's nomination of a potential supreme court justice, Merrick Garland.
A year later he supports the intallment of judge Gorsuch.
McConnell manipulates the Senate to implement an obnoxious law repealing Obamacare without a hearing on alternatives. As with the the judge he will "install" a law that hurts many.
No one expects compassion from McConnell.
McCain may once have been a hero and a self-proclaimed maverick, but talk, as it is said is cheap and his actions, to quote another cliche, shriek far louder than his words.
With his vote he trashes the Christian principle to do as as you would be done by. Many here have rightly highlighted his heartless hypocrisy.
As Shakespeare said, "the evil that men do lives after them".
With this last act he might fittinlgly be remembered as McShame.
A year later he supports the intallment of judge Gorsuch.
McConnell manipulates the Senate to implement an obnoxious law repealing Obamacare without a hearing on alternatives. As with the the judge he will "install" a law that hurts many.
No one expects compassion from McConnell.
McCain may once have been a hero and a self-proclaimed maverick, but talk, as it is said is cheap and his actions, to quote another cliche, shriek far louder than his words.
With his vote he trashes the Christian principle to do as as you would be done by. Many here have rightly highlighted his heartless hypocrisy.
As Shakespeare said, "the evil that men do lives after them".
With this last act he might fittinlgly be remembered as McShame.
1
In Trumpland, travesty is an understatement. Trump has not a clue what to do. He does not read, he does not have the ability to even speak correctly. This man has a mental incapacity to comprehend anything other than the most basic functions of the English language. He does not know what is wrong with ObamaCares because he does not know what is in it. And so it goes for the even more atrocious Republican plan. Trump is nothing but a front man, a purveyor of schlock, a con man par excellance'. That is what he has done his entire adult life; tell lie upon lie until he has built a layer cake of falsehoods. In the private world of nefarious business practices Trump has managed to skirt the law with high-powered corporate attorneys. What has gotten Trump through the business world will not work in the government. Contrary to many Americans perception, being a public servant, working in the government, has far more stringent rules to adhere to. Trump does not seem to have learned a thing in the past six months. Trump is down for the count, and the end game for Trump has no happy ending scenario possible. Trump's demise will be slow and merciless, and he deserves nothing less.
DD
Manhattan
DD
Manhattan
2
McCain, the so-called Maverick voted against poor, disabled and voted for Traumpcare knowing full well the impact by taking away insurance from his own constituents. McCain has the best care and GOVERNMENT provided insurance, why would he care about poor and disabled and those whose life depends on Medicaid.
3
Voting to discuss the bill is not exactly the same as voting for the bill.
Sen. McCain has a very severe illness that effects cognitive function. Here is a link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4467748/
It is extremely important that the American people seperate the John McCain they used to know with the one who now has the likelihood of severe cognitive/behavioral changes due to his brain tumor.
This is no reflection on his 80 years of service to this country but just an observation that a blind man cannot see and a deaf man cannot hear.
It is extremely important that the American people seperate the John McCain they used to know with the one who now has the likelihood of severe cognitive/behavioral changes due to his brain tumor.
This is no reflection on his 80 years of service to this country but just an observation that a blind man cannot see and a deaf man cannot hear.
If you are correct and Senator McCain is mentally impaired due to his medical condition, then he should resign immediately.
John McCain is a mass of contradictions: a POW who opposed the GI Bill for Iraq war vets, an intelligent man who chose Sarah Palin for his running mate.
Now he's a cancer patient who would deny health insurance to his constituents.
I cannot fathom you, Senator.
Now he's a cancer patient who would deny health insurance to his constituents.
I cannot fathom you, Senator.
2
Barack Obama and Congressional Democrats ignored overwhelming public opposition to the PPACA, and passed it anyway.
Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
I don't understand why this paper and much of the left opposed yesterday's vote to debate. This debate will allow the Democrats to voice what a stinking pile of rubbish the Republican bills are. Let's debate!
2
The whole US concept of "democracy" looks like a more stupid travesty every day now.
John McCain is a joke and has been a joke for years, but the media loves him and that's the story
This is a national disgrace. Mitch McConnell cannot be re-elected again. I hope he loses in his own state in the next election for the good of the country. The republicans are clueless on health care and have been for the past seven years.
Now they forge ahead into the black hole in space under the pressure of a confused, ill-informed POTUS despite the overwhelming objections of their own constituents across the country. Digraceful, Shame, shame, they shouted from the gallery, like on Game of Thrones. Shame Shame Shame.
Kill the bill don't kill us.
Now they forge ahead into the black hole in space under the pressure of a confused, ill-informed POTUS despite the overwhelming objections of their own constituents across the country. Digraceful, Shame, shame, they shouted from the gallery, like on Game of Thrones. Shame Shame Shame.
Kill the bill don't kill us.
McCain voted to move the bill forward for debate. He made what he believed was the best choice as he has done in the past. Whether you agree with him or not is irrelevant. To think that he would suddenly see the light and vote the liberal option is a fantasy and a perfect example of liberal think where those who disagree are evil or deluded. There is no valid alternate opinion in liberal land. Who's to say that McCain didn't have a near death revelation that led him to make the choice that he did. He wants to see the Congress do its job which is to put forward, debate, and vote on bills.
So you don't like the idea that your state can have whatever health insurance you are willing to pay for? I want Medicaid block granted to the states with as little regulations as possible and a reduction in the increase of federal money (not a cut). I want the mandates and requirements eliminated or greatly reduced. I want a focused federal plan for those with serious health issues to assist them in financing their care. And I greatly want the health care system (not insurance) improved along with the health of our varied population. I won't be getting any of this.
Let me make this simpler for you to write:
vulcanalex: " I want Medicaid block granted to the states..."
Easier: I want MedicAid to fail and then die. FIFY.
vulcanalex: "I want the mandates and requirements eliminated or greatly reduced."
Translation: I want the private insurance markets to melt down so that there are no insurers for people to buy from in most of the U.S. I also want people with pre-existing conditions to not be able to find coverage anywhere.
vulcanalex: "I won't be getting any of this."
Your ghouls in the GOP are doing their best. Pass the "skinn" plan and you're going to be in your nirvana.
Congratulations on being one of the worst of our species.
vulcanalex: " I want Medicaid block granted to the states..."
Easier: I want MedicAid to fail and then die. FIFY.
vulcanalex: "I want the mandates and requirements eliminated or greatly reduced."
Translation: I want the private insurance markets to melt down so that there are no insurers for people to buy from in most of the U.S. I also want people with pre-existing conditions to not be able to find coverage anywhere.
vulcanalex: "I won't be getting any of this."
Your ghouls in the GOP are doing their best. Pass the "skinn" plan and you're going to be in your nirvana.
Congratulations on being one of the worst of our species.
3
If they pass anything remotely like the sanitized "Holocaust Center" for "losers" they are pushing there will be riots in the streets. They are cynically using the mechanisms of democracy to repeal a bill that is favored 2-1 over theirs, then claiming they are keeping a promise to the people. The promise they are keeping is to the insurance and big pharma greedswine. They are fine with letting "the people" die.
5
The people who would enact a tax cut for the richest Americans (that is, political donors to the GOP) at the cost of an early death of from 22-35 million fellow Americans, deserve to be sent to a "Holocaust Center" themselves.
What goes around, comes around.
What goes around, comes around.
How could McCain sound so noble but be so partisan. To spend more time and taxpayer money and exhaust us all TO DEATH in order to . . . what . . . talk some more about an execrable "health care bill" that should be just scrapped already, months ago. He got out of a sick bed, figuratively if not literally, to TALK SOME MORE.
Also, I wish this Senator would use the proper title for actual legislation, it is the Affordable Care Act, NOT "obamacare."
Also, I wish this Senator would use the proper title for actual legislation, it is the Affordable Care Act, NOT "obamacare."
3
Well said. If John McCain can't follow through on what he champions, his words were hollow. I wish he would have stayed at home in bed.
Americans will die. Thousands. They will die needlessly. As Obama's attempts at harnessing an equitable sharing of good fortune with misfortune are now being brazenly and cruelly dismantled, I say unequivalently to McConnell “shame on you! You are a more than willing instrument of such heartless uncaring disregard for the well being of millions. Shame. Shame.”
4
Mr McConnell and POTUS have unleashed a rabid dog. When it starts to bite everyone they will definitely own it, no matter how fast they back peddle. It would have been far smarter to let the beast die.
2
Our news is filled with anger, but for many of us it has evolved to just sadness: sadness to me one two fronts: 1. that no matter what anyone says the ethnicity of the previous president having success in getting universal health care at least begun as a right is unacceptable to a still-racisn societh, and 2. even though unknown to the Republican rank and file, ALL of their agenda leads to getting more and more money into the hands of fewer and fewer Americans. Health care "reform", tax "reform" are synonyms for "further gaps in wealth betweens have's and have not's". History will judge us badly for the behavior of first 2 decades of our millenium.
7
John mccain yesterday, his quote tells us everything you need to know - if our disgustingly partisan, hidden process fails, then we should be honorable enough to do things the right way?!! The cynicism is unreal.
“Why don’t we try the old way of legislating in the Senate, the way our rules and customs encourage us to act?” he asked. “If this process ends in failure, which seems likely, then let’s return to regular order.”
“Why don’t we try the old way of legislating in the Senate, the way our rules and customs encourage us to act?” he asked. “If this process ends in failure, which seems likely, then let’s return to regular order.”
This is sickening. Literally.
3
As for Trump....please let us know when he accomplishes something...you know, like build a wall, 20% tariff on Chinese imports, repeal and replace Obamacare, tax reform, infrastructure repair.
1
He accomplished at least one very important thing, a new strict constructionist supreme court justice. Those things you mention are for congress to do, the president can't make them happen. I could go on about the things he has done that are within his power.
trump didn't do that ... it was the underhanded skulduggery of McConnell that did that.
2
McCain is a disgrace.
4
Obamacare and the Republicans whatever bill is at its essence NOT insurance. If it covers people with pre-existing conditions. It's a "Medical care paid for by a third party" program.
Insurance by its nature covers unpredictable events; my house burns down. I get in a car wreck. All, unpredictable.
And in the medical field, I have a heart attack. Cancer. Something unexpected.
But this whacked out system, now, somebody else pays for your flu shot; for your chronic disease, that is not what insurance is for.
But by now, everyone wants something for free. This is the age old human dilemma; it's been going on for hundreds of years.
Read Bastiat:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fr%C3%A9d%C3%A9ric_Bastiat
Insurance by its nature covers unpredictable events; my house burns down. I get in a car wreck. All, unpredictable.
And in the medical field, I have a heart attack. Cancer. Something unexpected.
But this whacked out system, now, somebody else pays for your flu shot; for your chronic disease, that is not what insurance is for.
But by now, everyone wants something for free. This is the age old human dilemma; it's been going on for hundreds of years.
Read Bastiat:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fr%C3%A9d%C3%A9ric_Bastiat
You are wrong, sure it is not predictable at the individual level but as a group they are. That is how insurance works. Now you are correct that this is not insurance but what you describe.
You seem to believe that people with chronic diseases bring that disease upon themselves. Many if not most chronic diseases are genetic or have a genetic component, and the parents who bring the child with that chronic disease into the world often aren't aware that they have the disposition towards the disease in their genetic makeup.
I have friends and relatives with chronic conditions (and lead normal lives) which their parents and the 'older generation' did not have or had in such a mild form that it wasn't realized until years later. It's just like cancer (for which there can be genetic predisposition also) - you're fine for 20, 30 or 40 years of your life, until suddenly you're not.
As for preventive care, it probably makes economic sense for insurance to pay for this to encourage people to get such care.
I have friends and relatives with chronic conditions (and lead normal lives) which their parents and the 'older generation' did not have or had in such a mild form that it wasn't realized until years later. It's just like cancer (for which there can be genetic predisposition also) - you're fine for 20, 30 or 40 years of your life, until suddenly you're not.
As for preventive care, it probably makes economic sense for insurance to pay for this to encourage people to get such care.
1
You are going to get sick and die. Unexpected condition?
1
It appears Republicans have only two health bills on the table: The "Unafforable Careless Act" (UCA) or "Law of the Jungle" (LOJ).
3
When you control the house the senate the White House and the Supreme Court you own it all whatever happens it is Trumpcare no matter what the deflector in chief wants to think in his delusional mind.
2
It just goes to show that Mitch McConnell is as incompitent and out of touch as our FAKE-president Trump...
2
I watched today as Republican upon Republican voted to move ... no one is quite sure what ... forward.
I watched as Mike Pence ... a self-professed 'Christian' ... voted to potentially take away the medical safety net for millions of American.
I watched because I harboured a secret belief that John McCain would march into the Senate and stop the craziness. I wanted to see history in the making. (My husband told me I was the one who was crazy to believe that).
The hour or so I spent watching today would have been better utilized cleaning my toilets. Or maybe taking the lint out of the dryer trap. Or emptying the litter box.
I watched as Mike Pence ... a self-professed 'Christian' ... voted to potentially take away the medical safety net for millions of American.
I watched because I harboured a secret belief that John McCain would march into the Senate and stop the craziness. I wanted to see history in the making. (My husband told me I was the one who was crazy to believe that).
The hour or so I spent watching today would have been better utilized cleaning my toilets. Or maybe taking the lint out of the dryer trap. Or emptying the litter box.
7
I am sure what they voted on, they voted to allow debate on the issue. Nothing more or less. Why anybody would not vote to debate what might be an improvement is a great question. Now I want votes until something different is approved, if that means no vacation well I never could go on vacation without my job being done.
Can anybody who has seen the graphics "Spending compared with life expectancy" still deny that the Reagan Revolution made life worse for Americans?
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2017/jul/25/us-health...
My American friend died in 1999 due to a heart illness, he couldn't afford an insurance. President Obama was a ray of hope. I'll never understand how so many people could vote in 2016 for Trump and taking away their Medicair.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2017/jul/25/us-health...
My American friend died in 1999 due to a heart illness, he couldn't afford an insurance. President Obama was a ray of hope. I'll never understand how so many people could vote in 2016 for Trump and taking away their Medicair.
5
Nobody is taking away your Medicare, or really your Medicaid. Your state might remove your Medicaid. Obama was a disaster.
Considering his present circumstances you would think John McCain, recipient of some of the best health care available at taxpayer expense, could find the empathy to have voted NO! Instead he makes a "heroic" effort to deny health insurance for millions of his countrymen. Now an official member of the deplorables.
7
McCain on why voting yes after his speech: "I just thought it would be good to move the process forward, and then we'll see what happens later on."
Because, you know, let's see millions lose their insurance and see what happens later on...
The arrogance, the disregard! At least Mariantoniette thought they had cake!
Because, you know, let's see millions lose their insurance and see what happens later on...
The arrogance, the disregard! At least Mariantoniette thought they had cake!
7
Perhaps the dems will submit single payer and it will pass.
In another time and another place not that long ago and not all that far away, I would expect McConnell and Ryan to goose step behind their Nazi leader, DT.
They lie for a living.
Completely ignoring what is good for the American people and their wishes, they are hell bent on doing what is good for their rich donors and the lobbyists.
The lobbyists are allowed into the closed door meetings- but not one Dem senator is allowed even though they represent half of this country.
This corruption was rampant in Nazi Germany and present day Russia with Putin at the helm.
We are now heading towards becoming a disgusting banana republic where corruption and nepotism are the norm.
Thanks for nothing Trump supporters. I have no sympathy for you when you lose your health insurance and help for opioid additions.
Maybe when you experience first hand the insane destruction of this administration, you will wake up- but of course, you would have to weigh your racist hatred for Obama against your own self interest. If history is any guidepost, racism and stupidity win out.
How else can anyone possibly explain how Mitch McConnell always wins his elections when he has done nothing for his people and only for his donors?
They lie for a living.
Completely ignoring what is good for the American people and their wishes, they are hell bent on doing what is good for their rich donors and the lobbyists.
The lobbyists are allowed into the closed door meetings- but not one Dem senator is allowed even though they represent half of this country.
This corruption was rampant in Nazi Germany and present day Russia with Putin at the helm.
We are now heading towards becoming a disgusting banana republic where corruption and nepotism are the norm.
Thanks for nothing Trump supporters. I have no sympathy for you when you lose your health insurance and help for opioid additions.
Maybe when you experience first hand the insane destruction of this administration, you will wake up- but of course, you would have to weigh your racist hatred for Obama against your own self interest. If history is any guidepost, racism and stupidity win out.
How else can anyone possibly explain how Mitch McConnell always wins his elections when he has done nothing for his people and only for his donors?
7
Republicans are going to pass one f these turkeys, and President Trump is going to sign it into law. Americans will die because of their actions. The law will be enacted slowly so that most Americans won't notice until it is too late. Republicans will claim that they have freed Americans to choose their own level of healthcare. They will say that the Medicaid cuts were made to "save" Medicaid. They will say that the Medicare cuts were made to "save" Medicare. They will give billionaires massive tax cuts, and businesses will be off the hook to provide adequate health plans to their employees. Americans will lose. Wealthy, piggish people like Mr. Trump will gloat and win. It is the Republican way.
11
Patrick--Perhaps we should consider the victims, of this bill, as soldiers in the cause to bury this Republican party, once and for all, and save our democracy. At least, Democrats seem to care about our people and our country, even if they are just as bottom-line greedy as the GOOPS.
I'm a proud American French but I still have ma "carte verte" which gives me access to the French health care system which by the way cost half ours while covering EVERYBODY including illegal immigrants. So, I know I'll be OK, but I'm not so sure about my brothers and sisters here, my sisters in particular since the "conservatives" are having a filed day on their rights... What the heck is wrong with you people???
12
In medicine we take the Hippocratic oath, which as amended has as its core, primum non nocere, "first do no harm". Our President and the Republican Congress, however, seem bent on causing as much harm and misery as they can muster. What are they thinking? About whom do they care? Why is the Republican Congress and Senate hell-bent on destruction among their own people?
We are at a new low in this land. In my 75 years I never seen such disregard for the best interest of the people.
We are at a new low in this land. In my 75 years I never seen such disregard for the best interest of the people.
8
What harm? The Oregon study indicates that having health insurance does not effect physical health.
Yes Donald, you're going around arrogantly celebrating to everyone who will listen that the Senate voted you the greatest president that ever lived.
...The vote was 50-51
did you mention that the tie-breaking vote came from your Vice president?
...The vote was 50-51
did you mention that the tie-breaking vote came from your Vice president?
6
American democracy has been hijacked by a fiend, McConnell, and our WH is occupied by someone who is suffering from senile dementia, as is made obvious every day in his public speeches, the most recent one to the Boy Scouts of America Jamboree, and one is all about himself and no-one else on the planet.
Trump, McConnell, Ryan do not care about the people only their own vicious, selfish agenda. Our voices have gone onto mostly deaf ears in the ruling GOP. Congress itself has a wonderful health care plan we the taxpayers provide yet they want to deny us the same.
I feel like our country has been taken over by domestic terrorists who are ruthlessly pursuing their own agenda at the cost of the majority of Americans, our economic budgets, and our health. Anyone left in America who thinks they are in Congress to serve us is living in denial.
Trump, McConnell, Ryan do not care about the people only their own vicious, selfish agenda. Our voices have gone onto mostly deaf ears in the ruling GOP. Congress itself has a wonderful health care plan we the taxpayers provide yet they want to deny us the same.
I feel like our country has been taken over by domestic terrorists who are ruthlessly pursuing their own agenda at the cost of the majority of Americans, our economic budgets, and our health. Anyone left in America who thinks they are in Congress to serve us is living in denial.
6
Oh. My. God. The fact that Senator John McCain, who just got some of the best healthcare available, flew in to DC to vote on this bill that will exclude so many people in this country makes me ill. I know I'm preaching to the choir on the NYTimes website, but really people . . . wake up the ones who don't understand or don't care!
4
The bill just allowed debate, nothing else. You are buying the idiotic NYT propaganda.
1
Republicans think treason is okay -- if it comes with a tax cut for the rich.
5
OK Times readers, especially those kvetching on this comment page. How many of you lack health care paid for by your employers and will actually be impacted by the collapse of Obamacare? How many of you stand to get a break on taxes for those earning over $200,000 when Obamacare is stopped? How many of you live in Appalachia or the Rust Belt or the Bible Belt? The fact is that most of us who read the Times will not be hurt and may even be a bit better off. At this point perhaps we should let the worst happen in Trumpland and concentrate on the issues like climate change that will impact all of us.
2
you are right most of us are not affected, but we have a moral obligation to try to affect change for the good for others and to try to bring order to this chaos.
2
I agree but you don't have the right to drag folks with you. Use charity to do as you want, or your state. Don't involve others.
No, wrong. We will be affected. These changes will trickle down to employer funded plans. Insurance premiums will rise, regardless of who is paying, simply because the 'insurance' companies will be permitted, nay, encouraged to do so by the corrupt republicans.
What nonsense!!! The ACA allows people to purchase health insurance they cannot use because of outrageous deductibles. It robs people of money they could use for medical care but now must pay for insurance they cannot use. People will now be able to purchase insurance or concierge doctor services much less expensively and actually have medical care. The only thing the democrats do not like is the removal of their ability to control folks' votes with an entitlement..
1
The bill crafted in secret by the republican leadership in the congress is "non-sense". It makes absolutely no sense for the very people a healthcare insurance bill is intended to help. Once Trumpcare becomes a reality DJT and the Republicans can OWN it politically, morally, etc.
You may not use some of your health care benefits, but one bad disease like Cancer and wipe out everything you have worked and saved for your lifetime, and you know when it really hurts is when it is not you but one of your love ones who has been the unlucky one.
If everyone used all the benefits their insurance the insurance companies would go out of business. I prefer being healthy and NOT using all of mine, but sometimes very selfish people get the chance to use ALL of theirs before they die. I guess they are happy about getting Their moneys worth. Good luck to you.
If everyone used all the benefits their insurance the insurance companies would go out of business. I prefer being healthy and NOT using all of mine, but sometimes very selfish people get the chance to use ALL of theirs before they die. I guess they are happy about getting Their moneys worth. Good luck to you.
Wrong. I personally know many many people who utilize the ACA. I know several people who self-pay for the same services. When they can afford them. Are you a paid shill? do you really believe the ability to have access to medical care NOT HEALTH INSURANCE is an entitlement?
What bothers me about the Republicans so brazenly ignoring public sentiment as well as the public good, is that their huge supporters, the NRA, have arranged for much of the population they are harming, to be heavily armed.
So why aren't they scared??? What do they know that we don't?
So why aren't they scared??? What do they know that we don't?
2
They are only ignoring people who don't support them, you live in a minority of states and can have whatever health insurance or care system you are willing to pay for.
John McCain, Rob Portman, Rand Paul, amongst others are the perfect shills. When on camera, they complain, rationalize, and are measured in their responses in a way that makes them look like they are actually concerned for middle-class Americans. Then Mitch McConnell tells them to jump and they just ask him 'how high'. Think about this: they are wasting their time over the next day debating bills that they have not seen or read and which affect a good chunk of Americans either directly or indirectly instead of taking the existing law and collaboratively making it better. And Americans voted for these people? What were you thinking?
4
I'm just so proud that my Arizona Senator McCain courageously left his hospital bed and flew (undoubtedly by private jet) back to a hero's welcome in his real home, Washington, D. C. Oh, what a moment! A hero once again -- couldn't they have carried in him, all bandaged up, for one last heroic gesture? Instead, what did we get? "I won't vote for this!" and then he does. "Let's work with the Democrats" after years of lemming-like obedience to McConnell. And on and on. It's always about you, McCain, never the long-suffering people in your state and in the country. I am so disgusted and ashamed that once again you and your colleagues (this means you, Flake) are so deeply, deeply disgraceful and self-regarding.
9
McCain is a wildly successful con-artist -- he is basically a template for the current WH occupier. The fact that most don't realize it bodes ill for our country.
1
"god's gonna get you Walter"...Maude Findlay....
A good way to have a bi partisan debate over reforming The Affordable Care
Act...."Obamacare"....would be to have a formal moderated debate forum
in the Oxford Debate style....on Public Television....
since the ultimate goal for health care is the best and affordable health care
for ALL citizens of The United States regardless of their ability to pay for
health care....Plans should be Debated openly....perhaps on an academic
stage...instead of on commercial TV.
Act...."Obamacare"....would be to have a formal moderated debate forum
in the Oxford Debate style....on Public Television....
since the ultimate goal for health care is the best and affordable health care
for ALL citizens of The United States regardless of their ability to pay for
health care....Plans should be Debated openly....perhaps on an academic
stage...instead of on commercial TV.
3
Well since they defunded public tv I guess we´ll just all have to be guessing.
It's ironic that decent healthcare enabled McCain to return to work so quickly. I hope he realizes that before he helps Republicans destroy it for others.
5
Whether oblivious to health concerns of their constituents or just afraid of their jobs to do the right thing, both smack at a lack of integrity. Voters should remember such character flaws during the next election cycle.
The NY Times loves to talk about the millions being left out who get free healthcare but minimizes the impact on the middle class getting crushed under the weight of spiking premiums. Obamacare is destroying the middle class who pay premiums that are skyrocketing to cover the cost of "dreamers" and and new immigrants who get healthcare for free. Would love to see the NY Times write more articles about people who get no subsidies who work every day to pay premiums that are rising exponentially.
1
If you think the middle class is getting crushed now, just wait until the new laws come into effect and health 'insurance' companies are given free reign and the ability to limit coverage. You're delusional if you think that's not going to happen. It only will matter when it happens to you.. No one is asking for 'free' anything. Taxes are paid, premiums would be paid into a nationalized health care system. So unless you're an employee of a health care insurance plan (that recently denied me access to the one medication that relieves my pain--pain I received as a victim of a car accident caused by someone else), you will be educated.
1
And your premiums will increase EVEN MORE with 'reform'. Do you read anything???
Again, it's not "the Senate", it's Republicans. Could you please accurately report what this is all about? When you say "Senate" you tar all Senators with the Republican brush. This is simply not true.
3
I suppose this will be John McCain's last aerial bombing, metaphorically speaking. We are all now VietNamese.
5
All the efforts of the NYT to mobilize "the masses" come to nothing. The Republicans keep on moving forward. When will the liberals and their paper learn their lesson of what they are doing wrong? Never?
The NY Times reports. People write and have their opinions published. The NY Times is not in the business of 'mobilizing'. The NY Times is not a political mouthpiece.
Health Care in this country is a debacle with no easy solution. Obama deliberately designed ACA to fall apart on the very day he left office. Anyone that is willing to laboriously read the law can see all the problem provisions that kicked in in 2017. It is so easy to criticize the GOP for failing to fix something that can't be fixed and not offer any alternatives. ACA was never "affordable" and was based on lies and the belief that the American populace could easily be tricked, as admitted to by Jonathan Gruber. Shame on the NYT Editorial Board.
The measure or Health Care success has to be based on how many have access to health care, not how many are insured. Under Obamacare, millions of those insured still could not see a doctor because of the unaffordable deductibles and co-pays before the insurance kicks in.
The best way to help those without insurance is to put our able-bodied to work for employers that provide health care benefits. That would help the economy, increase the payroll and income tax rolls and leave more funds available for those truly unable to work. Also, hospital charges are out of control. My wife just spent six days in a local hospital in NJ. They billed $57,000. Almost $10,000 a day and lousy meals! Did you know that hospitals are reimbursed purely based on how much they spend!! Let's all recognize how hard this is to fix. BTW - What are the Dems who created this mess doing? Oh yeah, "RESISTING".
The measure or Health Care success has to be based on how many have access to health care, not how many are insured. Under Obamacare, millions of those insured still could not see a doctor because of the unaffordable deductibles and co-pays before the insurance kicks in.
The best way to help those without insurance is to put our able-bodied to work for employers that provide health care benefits. That would help the economy, increase the payroll and income tax rolls and leave more funds available for those truly unable to work. Also, hospital charges are out of control. My wife just spent six days in a local hospital in NJ. They billed $57,000. Almost $10,000 a day and lousy meals! Did you know that hospitals are reimbursed purely based on how much they spend!! Let's all recognize how hard this is to fix. BTW - What are the Dems who created this mess doing? Oh yeah, "RESISTING".
1
The Democrats have offered multiple times, in public, to engage in efforts to fix the ACA. Republicans have refused their help.
1
So help me here what in the proposed bills will help reduce the cost of medical care? I see tax cuts but nothing to reign in costs .
"In a moment Tuesday that was almost surreal, Senator John McCain, back from surgery and a brain cancer diagnosis, said that Republicans were making a big mistake ......'
No what was surreal is that JM voted YES to proceed.
Some hero!
Some maverick!
No what was surreal is that JM voted YES to proceed.
Some hero!
Some maverick!
2
How can McCain live with himself? This is a man that has the best health insurance in the USA. I bet privately he is thanking his lucky stars that his insurance is going to cover all of the treatments he is going to need. He is accepting that benefit for himself and simultaneously telling others that it is more important that the republicans keep a campaign promise without having a workable plan.
And, all of this hate for the ACA is built on lies and deceit. Why? What is this going to do to make the USA a better place? Where is the money that is saved by not helping people going to go? Does anyone really think that the deficit will actually go down because of denying people healthcare? Basically all they are doing is passing on expense to an electorate that can't afford it and giving a tax break to people who use these same people up and throw them out!
Wealthy people of America who are not speaking up; you should be ashamed of yourselves. You do not have anything but luxurious problems and you can't even throw a bone to real people who are clearly suffering. Selfish, greedy and hypocritical.
And, all of this hate for the ACA is built on lies and deceit. Why? What is this going to do to make the USA a better place? Where is the money that is saved by not helping people going to go? Does anyone really think that the deficit will actually go down because of denying people healthcare? Basically all they are doing is passing on expense to an electorate that can't afford it and giving a tax break to people who use these same people up and throw them out!
Wealthy people of America who are not speaking up; you should be ashamed of yourselves. You do not have anything but luxurious problems and you can't even throw a bone to real people who are clearly suffering. Selfish, greedy and hypocritical.
3
I'm scared. I need to see a psychiatrist, but I'm afraid that if I do, I'll never get health insurance again.
They want to keep us focused on the health insurance long enough for President Bannon to finish destroying the "administrative state" and for Trump to finish giving our country away to Russia in exchange for being declared dictator for life. Thanks, Senator McCain. You fought for our Constitution in a banana republic and decided you'd like to replace it with a banana republic here.
3
Dear House and Senate Democrats,
This is your moment. The time is now to paint a stark contrast to their partisan Republican viciousness and governing incompetence.
This is your moment. The time is now to paint a stark contrast to their partisan Republican viciousness and governing incompetence.
2
Trump will throw McConnell under the bus as soon as possible ...
Remember what "they" used to say during the Vietnam War:" It became necessary to destroy the village in order to save it." GOP is on a rampage to "win" no matter how many innocent lives are ruined.
1
We basically have the political equivalent of the Civil War going on, but instead of an intelligent, brave and decisive person in the White House trying to unite the country, we're doomed by a dimwitted narcissist gasbag whose only goal is to make himself look good by scoring points as part of a desperate campaign he's still running.
4
It is interesting that Trump continues campaign style rallies, while in the beginning of his term. What is he afraid of?
i am so ashamed of this administration. i am almost ashamed of being an american.
2
Republican Senators looking out for their own self interest yet AGAIN. And John McCain shame on you. Nice speech but a little two faced don't you think! Where is moral integrity?
3
It will be interesting to see if his vote matches his rhetoric. I hope it does. I applaud his service and his general reasonableness; but I know that in the past, he hasn't always lived up to his reputation . But I will still pray for his recovery.
1
Sen. McCain voted AYE!
Did the president threaten to take away his health insurance or ruin his district or ...?
What a travesty!
Did the president threaten to take away his health insurance or ruin his district or ...?
What a travesty!
3
For a man like McCain to go to such depths to throw away his legacy and public image, I'm wondering the price paid for him to do so and by whom...
1
John McCain just had his Colin Powell moment. After an extraordinary life and career, this will be what he is remembered for. And rightly so.
2
What is this continuing romance with John McCain? He consistently voted with the herd to repeal the ACA for 8 years. And lest we forget, he chose another dangerously unqualified candidate, Sarah Palin, a choice he still defends. She would have been a Trump- like president if he had won and become incapacitated. And last year he spoke out against Trump, then folded and supported him.
Stay in the hospital John, with your gold- plated Congressional health care, and don't show up again. That is the best you can do for your country. I'm tired of your " principles."
Stay in the hospital John, with your gold- plated Congressional health care, and don't show up again. That is the best you can do for your country. I'm tired of your " principles."
1
As far as I'm concerned, John McCain destroyed his legacy in one ill-advised vote. If he wanted to see a bi-partisan health care bill, the last thing he should have done was vote in favor of debating the Republican proposals.
I believe it is clear that John McCain will not be running for reelection. I would have expected him to vote for the people of Arizona.
As our President would say: "sad."
I believe it is clear that John McCain will not be running for reelection. I would have expected him to vote for the people of Arizona.
As our President would say: "sad."
3
The American health care travesty is that with Obamacare 28 million Americans do not have any health care insurance and a significant number of the 10 million who do have rising premiums, rising deductibles and fewer options. Fixing that problem would require single-payer health care for all as a civilized American right to address the pre-existing condition of a use-by mortality that will end our lives when, where and how they are supposed to end by death. The Americans with the worst health and the least health care insurance are Trump voters and supporters concentrated in the former Confederate States of America. along with the 58% of white Americans who voted for Trump.
1
Remember Sarah Palin, the woman who ran with John McCain? She charged the ACA would mean Death Panels. Guess what? Her party is working very hard to create a Death Panel which says no help, no health insurance, no assistance with nursing home costs, no pregnancy assistance, no health care for children. The legislation of the GOP will return money to wealthy families and FORCE other Americans to face death without access to health care. I wonder if Sarah or John is just a little outraged with the thought of contributing to removing health insurance from millions of countryman/women? It was all "scare tactic" when running for office and probably remains all talk. But a death panel is being legislated by the GOP. Cruel. Party over country - shame.
2
We are not their family. We are not their friends. We are their hairdressers, maids, gardeners, nurseing aides and even teachers and firefighters. We the people don't matter. The Republican bubble is a bubble of privilege, power and wealth. They don't wake up in the middle of the night fearing that their children won't have the health care they they need. The Republicans have made it so their money is protected for their progeny. The rest of us just don't matter. The Republicans are wrapped up in a power game where they understand the consequences and don't care. So, while the rest of us can't sleep at night because we fear for our children, they play their political game and then go off to one of their many houses for vacation with us their to serve them. And, if we get sick and can't work, well their is always some other poor soul desperate to serve them. I guess, we all have to learn a new definition of democracy and we the people are just we the rich people.
2
Republican senators are facing a Catch-22 situation.
One one hand, they're failing in the most important legislation of the Trump era i.e., repeal/replace the Obama care legislation.
On the other hand, President Donald Trump shows to be an equal opportunity basher of friends and foes. Some senators could lose their jobs in the mid-term election.
The state of the GOP starts to resemble the words expressed by Queen Elizabeth II after an awful year, " annus horribilis."
One one hand, they're failing in the most important legislation of the Trump era i.e., repeal/replace the Obama care legislation.
On the other hand, President Donald Trump shows to be an equal opportunity basher of friends and foes. Some senators could lose their jobs in the mid-term election.
The state of the GOP starts to resemble the words expressed by Queen Elizabeth II after an awful year, " annus horribilis."
1
Seems to me the desires of the Times editors and the majority of the commenters has nothing to do with health insurance. You want health care to be free. There is no free. Someone has to pay.
1
Really? Give me an example where some one expressed a desire for free healthcare. We all pay taxes my friend some of us would rather have healthcare then blowing up Muslims and locking up minorities
If this isn't a gold-plated reason to roust these fools out of office and return compassion and common sense to our government, then it doesn't exist. Either people need to get off their duffs in the midterms and vote against anyone who supports any of these criminal "health" plans, or get used to the unnecessary bankruptcies and deaths they will cause.
The Republican proposals in both the House and the Senate are going to kill people. Representatives at their income levels have no idea how much a small denial of cash can affect someone struggling to survive. To take this much away from Medicaid, and especially the veterans who need it, is cruel and unusual punishment -- for committing what crime? Being poor? Some people lose life's game when it comes to money. It is unimaginable that our government would want to replace Obamacare by creating a system that will deny people their basic right to live. I am getting sick just reading the news!
"Impeach and Replace" Is that one of the voting options?
There is no nadir when it comes to the Republicans. Every single one of them (even Murkowski and Collins) needs to go if we are to get our country back on track and regain the respect of the world community. But alas, the Republicans may well pass their deplorable Death Bill in one form or another -- and they will lie, cheat and steal to make sure they pay no price in 2018.
"We’ve been spinning our wheels on too many important issues because we keep trying to find a way to win without help from across the aisle,” McCain told Senators. “We’re getting nothing done; We’re getting nothing done.”
As for 7 years of Republican rhetoric and now 6 months of McConnellcare, McCain's verdict was:
"All we’ve managed to do is make more popular a policy that wasn’t very popular when we started trying to get rid of it."
Well, the premiums and deductibles certainly were not popular! But otherwise.....
As for 7 years of Republican rhetoric and now 6 months of McConnellcare, McCain's verdict was:
"All we’ve managed to do is make more popular a policy that wasn’t very popular when we started trying to get rid of it."
Well, the premiums and deductibles certainly were not popular! But otherwise.....
1
A health care saga: the Republican Party is sick and it is contaminating the political process. Profit seeking pharmaceuticals are rewarded for not developing antibiotics underlining the fact that capitalism is a feckless health care platform. GoP politicians wade into the great swamp and contract virulent vested interests. Tax reform tumors fester in their confused minds impeding compassion and common sense. Doctors, nurses, medical experts tear out their hair trying to persuade the GoP that their Repeal & Replace ideas are a medical disaster (and hair replacement is not covered in their health insurance). Hundreds of thousands of Americans will sicken, exhaust their meager retirement savings and die prematurely and there is no cure in sight for the GoP because they are hooked on the opiod of potential riches from controlling the White House and both houses of Congress. Red state governors and constituents beg them not to do this but the GoP sickness also renders legislators deaf. There is only one cure in sight for their virulent greed and ignorance, namely abstinence from Mitch McConnell, Paul Ryan and Donald Trump taken together with ACA maintenance. Once again preventive care proves superior...
1
I loved Sen. McCain's speech--how is it possible he could vote to allow these healthcare bills to proceed in light of what he said? How is it possible that the man who just not his illness treated at one of the finest hospitals in the country paid for by his taxpayer provided health insurance could vote to further the cause of taking health insurance away from so many Americans? (Sen. McCain: how is that possible?) When people who know what is right, and believe in doing the right thing, do the wrong thing, it is far worse than when those who don't care do the wrong thing. Shame!
2
McCain must be gauged not by his words, but by his actions. He has proven that over and over. I thought his condition would bring him closer to the humanity of all people who suffer illness, but I was wrong. How utterly disappointing.
1
"Ignoring overwhelming public opposition to legislation that would destroy the Affordable Care Act, Senate Republicans voted on Tuesday to begin repealing that law without having any workable plan to replace it."
What a totally surreal thing to read.
Unfortunately, this is what the US has become, under the "leadership" of an "outsider" president.
After 7 years of lies, the GOP unexpectedly controls Congress DC, so nor Trump nor Republicans in Congress have ANY workable plan allowing them either to repeal or to repeal and replace Obamacare. None.
On the one hand there are conservatives who are confident enough in conservatism as a philosophy to refuse to continue to lie, and who now affirm what conservatives in all other Western countries agree on: passing a bill that allows insurance companies to make billions in profits all while killing half 500k Americans a decade just because private health insurance has been DELIBERATELY made too expensive for them by their own president and representatives, is NOT reflecting ANY true conservatism principle AT ALL.
It's (ab)using the government for your own financial gain and career and that of your wealthiest donors, period.
And it's remarkable that it's only female conservatives who had the guts to say no here. Their male colleagues who voted no did so because they wanted even more civilian casualties, knowing that they've lied too much to their constituents, by now, to be able to afford a "compromise" bill.
SHAME ON YOU GOP!!
What a totally surreal thing to read.
Unfortunately, this is what the US has become, under the "leadership" of an "outsider" president.
After 7 years of lies, the GOP unexpectedly controls Congress DC, so nor Trump nor Republicans in Congress have ANY workable plan allowing them either to repeal or to repeal and replace Obamacare. None.
On the one hand there are conservatives who are confident enough in conservatism as a philosophy to refuse to continue to lie, and who now affirm what conservatives in all other Western countries agree on: passing a bill that allows insurance companies to make billions in profits all while killing half 500k Americans a decade just because private health insurance has been DELIBERATELY made too expensive for them by their own president and representatives, is NOT reflecting ANY true conservatism principle AT ALL.
It's (ab)using the government for your own financial gain and career and that of your wealthiest donors, period.
And it's remarkable that it's only female conservatives who had the guts to say no here. Their male colleagues who voted no did so because they wanted even more civilian casualties, knowing that they've lied too much to their constituents, by now, to be able to afford a "compromise" bill.
SHAME ON YOU GOP!!
1
Trump acts as if he is trying to be the worst president ever. He sides with our worst and most powerful enemy, Russia, in way that seems treasonous to many, and tries to withdraw life saving health care from millions. I guess it's possible to do worse things, but that's not to his credit.
1
Senator McCain: Do as I say, not as I do. Wake me up when President Trump declares martial law, shuts down the Mueller investigation, and has Hillary Clinton arrested.
Things are not going to change until Americans stops ignorantly voting for legislators who work against their best interests.
1
McCain voting to deny healthcare for millions of his fellow Americans, with a bright fresh scar on his temple, was decidedly not "almost surreal." It was just plain surreal. And scary. And god-awful.
1
The vote to allow debate (and voting) on the repeal of the ACA was good. It forces people to put a stake in the ground.
We will not let anyone forget who voted today for repealing the ACA.
Keep the resistance.
We will not let anyone forget who voted today for repealing the ACA.
Keep the resistance.
Instead of listening to the voices of their own constituents, the Republicans have become obsessed with their own twisted logic about free will and a free marketplace. Healthcare does not exist in a theoretical economic vacuum. Without access to real medical treatment, real people will suffer and die. Donald Trump may think that anyone can go and get a great plan for only $12 a year, but anyone who has spent a day living in the real world recognizes that as a complete delusion. The Republicans are peddling lies. And they are getting away with murder.
2
Not much you can say, a despicable period in America with feckless leaders. There will be a populist uprising but I don't think either the democrats or republicans are gonna like it.
1
"Profiles in Cowardice."
"Actions speak louder than words", my mom frequently said.
Despite those lofty words, John McCain revealed how he really felt with a vote.
Despite those lofty words, John McCain revealed how he really felt with a vote.
" Mr. McCain did side late Tuesday with most Senate Republicans who voted — unsuccessfully — to replace the health care law "
It is a disgrace and an awful epilogue to a sterling career that McCain, barely a week after blood clot/brain cancer treatment paid for by taxpayers as part of a VERY generous health care deal Congress has voted to give itself, should vote to proceed with stripping 25 million other poor Americans of their already-bottom-line-basic health care entitlements. What's good for McCain is clearly to be kept from the poor. "Let them eat Aspirin," says Queen McCain . Shame on you, Mr. McCain.
J
It is a disgrace and an awful epilogue to a sterling career that McCain, barely a week after blood clot/brain cancer treatment paid for by taxpayers as part of a VERY generous health care deal Congress has voted to give itself, should vote to proceed with stripping 25 million other poor Americans of their already-bottom-line-basic health care entitlements. What's good for McCain is clearly to be kept from the poor. "Let them eat Aspirin," says Queen McCain . Shame on you, Mr. McCain.
J
1
I find it amusing and deeply deplorable simultaneously that so many lawmakers say healthcare is not a right but a woman being forced to bear a child whose birth could kill her and whose chance of survival outside the womb does not exist is an absolute requirement. Even worse is the huge amount spent to keep alive humanoid beings with NO independent brain or life functions, only machines, at a cost of millions of dollars while saying that older patients should just die and get out of the way when with proper treatment they have years of meaningful life left--while still saving huge amounts of money. If those debating health care had to first pass a basic mental competency test (you know, the kind you have to pass before being tried for burglary) we'd get much further much faster. It is a complex problem, but compared with how we deal with North Korea it is easy if those debating would lose the attitude and remember who they work for--ALL the people. A winning solution has no winners or losers, just a better system in which all give a little and get a lot.
And we thought writing legislation in Secret without hearings was bad! Now we have a chaotic free-for-all. The GOP is like lemmings running off a cliff sweeping the rest of us off with them. The only way to save themselves is to Repeal Obamacare and Replace it with the ACA, but they probably won't figure that out. What a Mess!
Little, little men.
Congressional Republicans...........know that you are all being led by Trump and McConnell with the use of hatred and bigotry. You must stop following these demogogues and follow the paths of service to public opinion, your duty.
As it is now, Those leaders are near sparking a war. Step back. This law repeal is not worth destroying the nation.
As it is now, Those leaders are near sparking a war. Step back. This law repeal is not worth destroying the nation.
It's incredible that the GOP would, after all the front-page space dedicated to exposing the behind-closed-doors efforts to hide what they were doing to the constituents, go ahead and force their vile tax cut bill (at the expense of th vulnerable's health care) evilness on their constituents (whom they couldn't care less about).
Oh, wait a minute. There was no front-page space dedicated to keeping the public informed about what the GOP was attempting to spring on their constituents and the nation in their attempt to destroy the safety net of the country. The NYT would not be caught dead doing something responsible like that. Instead, all the important real estate must go to 45 second mutterings of Jared Kushner and the like, even though that will be with us for months and more likely years. But NYT editorial decision-making dictates the immediate coursing passions be titillated while historical machinations alter and disrupt the base working mechanisms in our governing bodies -- the very basis of the democratic republic -- be allowed to fly under the radar, just like those would destroy the republic -- like Mitch McConnell -- would like it.
So heckuva job, NYT. It's actually exactly what I expected from such an irresponsible corporation. When it comes to the decline of the country, I look to you as an example of the reason we got here like no other.
Oh, wait a minute. There was no front-page space dedicated to keeping the public informed about what the GOP was attempting to spring on their constituents and the nation in their attempt to destroy the safety net of the country. The NYT would not be caught dead doing something responsible like that. Instead, all the important real estate must go to 45 second mutterings of Jared Kushner and the like, even though that will be with us for months and more likely years. But NYT editorial decision-making dictates the immediate coursing passions be titillated while historical machinations alter and disrupt the base working mechanisms in our governing bodies -- the very basis of the democratic republic -- be allowed to fly under the radar, just like those would destroy the republic -- like Mitch McConnell -- would like it.
So heckuva job, NYT. It's actually exactly what I expected from such an irresponsible corporation. When it comes to the decline of the country, I look to you as an example of the reason we got here like no other.
We have a monster for president and a feckless, cruel majority in Congress. The time for severe civil disobedience is now. These people deserve no respect.
Who needs health care? I would much rather have my tax dollars used to annihilate entire villages in the Middle East.
With this vote, the Republican party has shown itself to be the enemy of America. Something it has worked mightily at since Nixon's time.
Look at your calendars folks. They may say it is July 25, 2017, but it is really July 25, 1860. In a few short months it will be April 12, 1861. We know what happened then, and what the cost was.
We have to win the Union all over again. It will be equally bloody, but we paid the price once. We will have to pay it again.
There is no peace now. Just prepare for war.
Look at your calendars folks. They may say it is July 25, 2017, but it is really July 25, 1860. In a few short months it will be April 12, 1861. We know what happened then, and what the cost was.
We have to win the Union all over again. It will be equally bloody, but we paid the price once. We will have to pay it again.
There is no peace now. Just prepare for war.
Mean, vulgar and beyond repair. I am talking about republican minds, unable to follow the "Golden Rule" (do not do unto others what you wouldn't want 'them' do to you). If you. Congressman, take for granted your health care, why not make it extensive to your constituents? Your cruelty is awful; how can your family look at you, and you at the mirror? Just look at hypocrite Paul Ryan, who says with a straight face he doesn't want to impose things, just let the client have the 'freedom' to choose whatever is convenient. Really? Without the means to secure health care? McConnell is a coward with too much power, and a racist whose aim was always to deny Obama.
Obamacare disaster is collapsing, Trump and the Republicans have been saying this for at least 2 years. No irony there.
Trump Modis Operandi:
1) Denigrate your opponent: Obamacare.
2) Repeat it.
3) You win.
"It's the American way" This is how mindless Americans are. A lie repeated is fully believed but scrupulous facts are treated with skepticism. Mindless.
Trump Modis Operandi:
1) Denigrate your opponent: Obamacare.
2) Repeat it.
3) You win.
"It's the American way" This is how mindless Americans are. A lie repeated is fully believed but scrupulous facts are treated with skepticism. Mindless.
Anyone who thinks Republicans care about the poor, the working class or the middle class needs to have their heads examined. The only thing they want from us is cheap labor that they can exploit.
The only thing that needs to be repealed is the current version of the republican party.
1
Hero maverick statesman McCain voted for ted Cruz not insurance bill after saying he would not. Did they remove his heart through that whole in his head?
1
This is the most unbelievable political/governmental situation I have ever witnessed in my almost 75 years. It exceeds Watergate and the Clinton impeachment because the "president", and I use the quotes with intention, is a madman and the Congress is controlled by people who are stupid, evil, crazy or all three.
McCain gave a good speech today and actually made some sense. Then he voted FOR repeal-and-replace. I simply do not understand this man, especially given his current medical situation. Credit to Lindsey Graham, who is clearly a smart guy, but he has to keep South Carolina happy; he voted against the first of three attempts the Republicans are making to inflict serious harm on millions of us.
I really fear for this country and for all of us.
McCain gave a good speech today and actually made some sense. Then he voted FOR repeal-and-replace. I simply do not understand this man, especially given his current medical situation. Credit to Lindsey Graham, who is clearly a smart guy, but he has to keep South Carolina happy; he voted against the first of three attempts the Republicans are making to inflict serious harm on millions of us.
I really fear for this country and for all of us.
John McCain has just gone from a great American war hero and statesman to just another partisan politician in my eyes. It's a shame he missed the opportunity.
Sad.
Sad.
I agree, but that makes your front-page fawning over McCain all the more objectionable. He grabbed tv time, got the fawning press to praise him ... and then voted to take health care away from tens of millions.
NYT: " Opinion: Tuesday's health care vote shows that most Republicans are oblivious to the concerns of their constituents"
If the situation wasn't so depressingly serious and ominous, this "headline" would be funny. The GOP isn't oblivious to the concerns of their constituents. THEY DON'T CARE about their constituents. There have a few of us trying to get the people controlling the conversation to understand this, but you simply won't listen. The drivers of the GOP agenda love your refusal to accept the malevolence of their motivations, to cast them as genuinely concerned about their constituents, wanting to do well by them, but simply a bit out-of-touch on their dreams and how to give it to them. It's a precious little take on what these (primarily) men are all about. By patronizing looking down on them, you aid them in their dirty work. Here's the deal: they want a different world; primarily a Koch world. They can't get it by telling the truth. So, in the past they lied about it. (They don't have to do that so much anymore because someone normalized the division tactics.) Their objective is to make life as bare-bones as possible for the non-oligarchs and non-owner class without causing civic unrest . They want complete economic/financial hegemony with no autonomy for the serfs, who are to be oblivious, obedient automatons like 1984's Parsons.
It isn't the right that is oblivious; it't those like the NYT editorial board and the rest of the clueless MSM "elites,"
If the situation wasn't so depressingly serious and ominous, this "headline" would be funny. The GOP isn't oblivious to the concerns of their constituents. THEY DON'T CARE about their constituents. There have a few of us trying to get the people controlling the conversation to understand this, but you simply won't listen. The drivers of the GOP agenda love your refusal to accept the malevolence of their motivations, to cast them as genuinely concerned about their constituents, wanting to do well by them, but simply a bit out-of-touch on their dreams and how to give it to them. It's a precious little take on what these (primarily) men are all about. By patronizing looking down on them, you aid them in their dirty work. Here's the deal: they want a different world; primarily a Koch world. They can't get it by telling the truth. So, in the past they lied about it. (They don't have to do that so much anymore because someone normalized the division tactics.) Their objective is to make life as bare-bones as possible for the non-oligarchs and non-owner class without causing civic unrest . They want complete economic/financial hegemony with no autonomy for the serfs, who are to be oblivious, obedient automatons like 1984's Parsons.
It isn't the right that is oblivious; it't those like the NYT editorial board and the rest of the clueless MSM "elites,"
When politicians try to fulfill catchy and stupid campaign slogans, such as "build the wall and Mexico will pay for it" or "repeal and replace Obamacare," the American taxpayers are the ones paying for it, literally and figuratively.
There's some $1.6 billion in the budget ( $2.5 billion less than previously announced) to "build the wall" that Mexico was supposed to pay for.
Then there's the more disastrous "repeal and replace Obamacare" fiasco that has consumed much of Congress' time, so far, thankfully,without results.
Yet, the Republicans persist--with empty words by McCain, empty because his vote did not match his words--in their efforts to dismantle ACA, no matter how many millions get hurt, just so that they can say they finally followed through on their slogan.
Travesty, indeed.
There's some $1.6 billion in the budget ( $2.5 billion less than previously announced) to "build the wall" that Mexico was supposed to pay for.
Then there's the more disastrous "repeal and replace Obamacare" fiasco that has consumed much of Congress' time, so far, thankfully,without results.
Yet, the Republicans persist--with empty words by McCain, empty because his vote did not match his words--in their efforts to dismantle ACA, no matter how many millions get hurt, just so that they can say they finally followed through on their slogan.
Travesty, indeed.
128
Is this how McConnell and his minions think bills affecting one sixth of our economy, and 10's of millions of people, should be developed: put out a bill that no one wants, force 50 of 52 Republican Senators to vote to begin debate, and try to write the actual bill through the amendment process?
One thing is certain: Republicans will OWN this bill, and the damage it will do to our country. And if the bill fails to pass, they will OWN their failure.
They have only one plan: wealthcare for the 0.01%.
One thing is certain: Republicans will OWN this bill, and the damage it will do to our country. And if the bill fails to pass, they will OWN their failure.
They have only one plan: wealthcare for the 0.01%.
3
A lot of these people who lose their health insurance will get exactly what they voted for. Maybe they will learn a lesson the hard way.
4
If America doesn't weep today, it will certainly weep later if the Republicans have their way. Then, of course, it will be too late.
2
Just like they want my taxes; I need safety. And being safe also includes my healthy body.
3
President Trump said very clearly that his healthcare initiative would be less expensive, better in quality, and cover MORE people.
These bills cannot accomplish that. But I guess nobody on the Hill cares, Trump included.
These bills cannot accomplish that. But I guess nobody on the Hill cares, Trump included.
3
Reason and prudence fall to the sword of pride. This is a very bad idea being driven into place by the demands of a petulant president who has to have a "win". Republicans in both houses are complicit in endangering the health of Americans and also America.
1
Given that 20% of US citizens do not have reliable access to nutritious food (source Gallup online 27th July 2017) it should be much harder to make the case for a non compulsory system of healthcare contributions (tax or insurance based) than it is in countries where food insecurity is much lower (UK 11%, China 8% Japan 6% etc.). This would be the case whether you are making a moral or economic argument.
Am I missing something or is this an example of an entirely self defeating political ideology?
Am I missing something or is this an example of an entirely self defeating political ideology?
1
The US death rate is 8244/ 100,000. The Republican health plans will lead to 20 to 30 million people loosing their insurance. If that causes the death rate to increase by only 1% to 5% among he uninsured, there will be 8,000 to 12,000 additional Americans who will die because of the heartless Republican plan. The Republican Party can truly be said to be the "Death Panel" that they falsely claimed Obama was promoting.
2
"A popular government without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce, or a tragedy, or perhaps both."
James Madison
James Madison
2
Democrats need not wait to put forward their ideas to improve ACA.
1
It all comes down to this:
Do you or do you not believe healthcare is a human right?
More than any other issue, among the many that divide us, healthcare is stark and simple. Should people suffer and perhaps die or live lives of hopeless isolation and misery because they cannot afford health insurance?
I have all the respect in the world for John McCain, and his speech was commendable and brave, but his vote along party lines was crushing. I myself faced breast cancer this year, and nothing could have made me more cognizant of the fact that serious illness requires strength, focus, good care and as little financial stress (or any stress) as possible. I am heartbroken that McCain did not come to the same conclusion that I did. I was so grateful for my good health insurance, and humbled by the difference between my treatment ordeal and that of other women I met during my journey, who were maxing out credit cards, going into debt, in a constant state of panic and foregoing treatment options they could not afford.
I am not any more deserving than anyone else. That I wasn't self-employed, or laid off or born with a pre-existing condition, that I don't have a special needs child, that I never experienced any of the other circumstances or tragedies that might have led to me being without medical insurance and at the mercy of American society does not make me some sort of "winner" or more deserving than my neighbor in need.
Love your neighbor as yourself.
Do you or do you not believe healthcare is a human right?
More than any other issue, among the many that divide us, healthcare is stark and simple. Should people suffer and perhaps die or live lives of hopeless isolation and misery because they cannot afford health insurance?
I have all the respect in the world for John McCain, and his speech was commendable and brave, but his vote along party lines was crushing. I myself faced breast cancer this year, and nothing could have made me more cognizant of the fact that serious illness requires strength, focus, good care and as little financial stress (or any stress) as possible. I am heartbroken that McCain did not come to the same conclusion that I did. I was so grateful for my good health insurance, and humbled by the difference between my treatment ordeal and that of other women I met during my journey, who were maxing out credit cards, going into debt, in a constant state of panic and foregoing treatment options they could not afford.
I am not any more deserving than anyone else. That I wasn't self-employed, or laid off or born with a pre-existing condition, that I don't have a special needs child, that I never experienced any of the other circumstances or tragedies that might have led to me being without medical insurance and at the mercy of American society does not make me some sort of "winner" or more deserving than my neighbor in need.
Love your neighbor as yourself.
9
As a Canadian taxpayer who has good taxpayer funded healthcare I am puzzled why, despite the actions of John McCain, you allow the statement to stand that you "have all the respect in the world for John McCain". His record (and not just with respect to healthcare) shows that above all else this man with always obey the party line.
1
your comment moved me to tears
Truth - the simple truth.
Why is this simple truth so difficult these elected officials to comprehend ?
Why is any visceral human equation removed from this entire debate ?
Truth - the simple truth.
Why is this simple truth so difficult these elected officials to comprehend ?
Why is any visceral human equation removed from this entire debate ?
1
I have come to the conclusion that the republicans' obsessive need to eliminate Obamacare is an effort to erase the former president's accomplishments, and, further, to make it clear that no person of colour will ever be allowed to attain that position again. There is no limit to their perfidy.
4
The "50 members" link to your article "How Senators Voted to Consider the Republican Health Care Bill" has a graph ranking the GOP senators from less conservative to more that is laughably absurd and patently ridicules. Aside from the two women who voted "no", how can you tell?
1
President Trump won promising to repeal Obamacare despite all your proclamations of the popularity the bill enjoys. The unprecedented growth in Medicaid is breaking our budget. Free is always popular with certain segments of the population. That does not make it good or consistent with our free market economy. There are safety net measures for the truly needy but the able-bodied need to pull their weight or we will sink like Venezuelans.
1
Sue Mee, it's not the costs of Medicare that's breaking our budget, it's corporate warfare in the form of tax breaks for the ultra wealthy, multinational corporations not paying taxes, billions given to Israel, feeding the war machine, and increasing it by even more billions, and I can go on and on.
This article asserts the belief that "certain segments of the population" believe that healthcare should be free (and, wink wink, doesn't have to say who Those People are).
The people in Canada and other western countries know that healthcare isn't free. We have universal healthcare systems payed for with our taxes and we don't have political parties trying to take them away!
The people in Canada and other western countries know that healthcare isn't free. We have universal healthcare systems payed for with our taxes and we don't have political parties trying to take them away!
1
And nothing is wrong with that, W. Martin, but here, the politicians do not want that. They want more money for the middle men (Insurance, et al), and nothing else. People would be more than willing to pay more taxes if they could get something along the lines of Canada, but that's not what corporations want to happen and since they "own" our elected officials, that's what they are trying to do.
"Maverick" John McCain. Myth-making at its finest; the definition of fake news.
But hey, he showed us all what his guiding light is and always has been:
The limelight.
But hey, he showed us all what his guiding light is and always has been:
The limelight.
2
This country has no self respect.
4
McCain might be well served by asking "What would Jesus do?" Because it may not be too long before Jesus tells him, if he can't figure it out on his own.
1
If McCain had voted "no," congress could have done what he says they should do: namely, work together . . . to fix the ACA. The way it is now, countless more days, weeks, and months will be spent by Dems to save the wonderful advances of the ACA (e.g., preexisting conditions and annual/lifetime limits clauses) from the incomprehensible destructiveness of the GOP. What a colossal waste of time!
No matter what, the United States will be left with the worst health care system in the rich world. Under the ACA we pay far more for worse outcomes than do peer nations and huge numbers of people cannot afford health care or are substantially burdened by the cost. It was nothing but a bandaid on a bad system that did little to control some of the worst issues of the for-profit health care system. The repeal would make things worse. We need real reform but will not get it.
1
The GOP futility of the week is intended to muddle responsibility for the health care failure. Each Grand Old Phony in the Senate will be able to claim he voted for some, but not all, the goofy proposals.
Will voters buy it? Probably. Evasion of responsibility is the hallmark of a successful politician.
Will voters buy it? Probably. Evasion of responsibility is the hallmark of a successful politician.
1
If in 2009-2010 Obama had acted in any way like McConnell now--in Obama's case, for the good of the country--we would have a program for universal coverage that would be practically irreversible, like S.S. and Medicare. FDR and LBJ knew what to do with members of their own party, too. But Obama was still thinking in archaic "politics of the possible," amazingly, for such an intelligent person. I was immensely frustrated during, yes, that "year working on the law"--a very fragile "compromise," uh, giveaway--because of the seemingly obvious ruthlessness that Republicans had already developed. The obstructionism alone at the time was fully evident even then. You don't move in an "incremental" way out of a building on fire, one set by arsonists; you and your A.C.A. will be consumed. The lesson to be learned is to de-mythologize Obama a.s.a.p. and recognize Bernie Sanders' ideas as being entirely realistic for these times.
1
A multi-millionaire who just returned after having hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of medical work done on his brain at taxpayer expense, casts a vote against working people getting adequate healthcare coverage.
Only in post-Constitutional, oligarchical America.
Only in post-Constitutional, oligarchical America.
4
It is hard to swallow McConnell's incessant lies about Obamacare and what the GOP plan will do for healthcare. Using Trumpian tactics of derision and bullying, the GOP members continue to "Fake" the entire issue.
The GOP believes that government should not in any way shape or form be responsible for providing healthcare to Americans. That IS the fundamental core policy of the GOP. No wonder their health care 'plans' are horrible.
A final bipartisan decision of the governments proper role in health care is being avoided. That is the crux of the matter. Once BOTH sides sit down and actually listen to each other and make a decision yeah or nay about health care nothing that is done will be satisfactory.
With GOP majority now that discussion seems a dream. The presence of the ACA makes them feel forced and that is why McConnell shuts out the Dems in every stage. Once McConnell is forever gone from the Senate the moderate Republican voices may be open to working with the Democrats.
It is time for both parties to decide wether health care should be administered and overseen by the government or not. Until that time both parties, especially the GOP, will be tinkering only to the detriment of the all Americans.
The GOP believes that government should not in any way shape or form be responsible for providing healthcare to Americans. That IS the fundamental core policy of the GOP. No wonder their health care 'plans' are horrible.
A final bipartisan decision of the governments proper role in health care is being avoided. That is the crux of the matter. Once BOTH sides sit down and actually listen to each other and make a decision yeah or nay about health care nothing that is done will be satisfactory.
With GOP majority now that discussion seems a dream. The presence of the ACA makes them feel forced and that is why McConnell shuts out the Dems in every stage. Once McConnell is forever gone from the Senate the moderate Republican voices may be open to working with the Democrats.
It is time for both parties to decide wether health care should be administered and overseen by the government or not. Until that time both parties, especially the GOP, will be tinkering only to the detriment of the all Americans.
1
It's time for a third party. These two corporate parties are the same, one's heads, the other is tails and both are for the oligarchs, period. Now just how darn long will it take dummies to finally figure this out and stop wasting time on these pathetic excuses for leaders?
The mindlessness of the Republicans is staggering. Mr. McConnell is so determined to ram something through it can't possibly still be about health care but a man obsessed with obliterating President Obama's legacy. He comes from a state of many Medicaid recipients yet all versions include just that. What possible logic is there to do so much harm?
1
If you look at the picture accompanying this article, you can see a large part of the problem right there. Four wealthy white men make decisions for 300 million Americans.
Re John McCain's vote: as a nurse who has worked in neurosurgery I learned that frontal brain tumors and surgery there can alter someone's personality.
Re John McCain's vote: as a nurse who has worked in neurosurgery I learned that frontal brain tumors and surgery there can alter someone's personality.
Why doesn't the GOP like us?
1
John McCain's political legacy: Abscam and the Savings and Loan debacle, Sarah Palin, and Healthcare Repeal. Hard to call any of that heroic.
1
If one could step back a little and consider the problem of healthcare from an historical perspective, things might come into focus. The denial of vital resources is a time honored instrument of war. In the modern world, denial of healthcare amounts to the same thing as denying Ethiopian's water and/or food. American citizens are not fighting the battle with modern tools. Spears won't work.
What can work is using the internet to form your own country and ruling that country as you see fit. Currently doctors, insurers, patients, pharmacists, and drug manufacturers are ruled by corporate overlords as so many slaves or puppets. Using the resource of the internet, groups with sufficient affinities could be formed to determine, in effect, their medical world. As a fast example, the Christian Scientists or Amish come to mind. You determine how much time, effort, and money you want to spend on this aspect of your life. As it is there is a corporate monopoly that rules you and orders you about -- doctors, patients, senators, presidents, congressman.
If the nation is to be free, coalitions of like-minded "scientists" should rule themselves, sharing between themselves and maybe actually evolving a non-monetary based system. The irony is aborigines had more self-determination and richer lives than we modern humans do. They belonged to something. What they belonged to collectively took care of each automatically. Now no longer. The best is a abo-spirit modern human.
What can work is using the internet to form your own country and ruling that country as you see fit. Currently doctors, insurers, patients, pharmacists, and drug manufacturers are ruled by corporate overlords as so many slaves or puppets. Using the resource of the internet, groups with sufficient affinities could be formed to determine, in effect, their medical world. As a fast example, the Christian Scientists or Amish come to mind. You determine how much time, effort, and money you want to spend on this aspect of your life. As it is there is a corporate monopoly that rules you and orders you about -- doctors, patients, senators, presidents, congressman.
If the nation is to be free, coalitions of like-minded "scientists" should rule themselves, sharing between themselves and maybe actually evolving a non-monetary based system. The irony is aborigines had more self-determination and richer lives than we modern humans do. They belonged to something. What they belonged to collectively took care of each automatically. Now no longer. The best is a abo-spirit modern human.
Rather than another editorial stating the obvious, let's have a study that goes state by state and shows under the GOP plan how many people will loose health care and how many will have unaffordable or inadequate policies.
We've seen these charts. You click on your state and county and the numbers are there. For now people in every political district think that its not them or their neighbor who will suffer, it's always someone else.
Truth and openness is a great disinfectant.
We've seen these charts. You click on your state and county and the numbers are there. For now people in every political district think that its not them or their neighbor who will suffer, it's always someone else.
Truth and openness is a great disinfectant.
It's OK Sen. McCain voted to allow a debate. Debate means neither a bill will pass nor that McCain supports it. Debate is good if people listen.
Senator John McCain is a man I once totally respected. That was before he became a Republican senator. No, that lower case s was not a typo. John McCain talks like a Senator and speaks of a Senate that puts American first, but his votes and actions have been those of a doctrinaire Republican bent on destroying Obamacare without any care for the tens of millions who will lose healthcare and the millions who will suffer and die as a result of his votes.
In 2008, John McCain demonstrated he was not fit to be a president. Yesterday, he demonstrated that he is not worthy of respect.
In 2008, John McCain demonstrated he was not fit to be a president. Yesterday, he demonstrated that he is not worthy of respect.
3
The assertion that Republicans passed many of the Obamacare amendments was rejected by Fact Check as misleading. Both parties did indeed pass amendments but the Republican amendments were technical and inconsequential. I'm tired of being misled and lied to. How about you?
Mitch McConnell is simply doing the bidding of the crackpot billionaires who fund the Republican party and believe that public money is better spent on wealthcare than healthcare.
1
You are witnessing our edition of the "rise and fall of the Roman Empire"...........I only wish we weren't falling so fast.
1
The US has led the world in so many areas from freedom of speech to aviation to the internet and iPhones. Our biggest shortcoming however is our inability or unwillingness to learn from other countries and healthcare is exhibit A.
There is no workable system anywhere that resembles what the Republicans are suggesting and all successful systems require all citizens to participate and pay in if they can. Moving away from that by removing the mandate clearly moves us in the wrong direction and is a triumph of slavish ideology over what has been proven to be key to a successful system
There is no workable system anywhere that resembles what the Republicans are suggesting and all successful systems require all citizens to participate and pay in if they can. Moving away from that by removing the mandate clearly moves us in the wrong direction and is a triumph of slavish ideology over what has been proven to be key to a successful system
History has shown time and time again that when everything is taken away from people, they revolt.
Can we please call it the Affordable Care Act instead of "Obamacare"? I'm forgetting the official name myself.
Republicans and King TGeorge:
"Don't Tread On Me" and my loved ones.
Your lack of respect for my life and the lives of my loved ones is tyrannical.
What you do
Is not for me, it's for YOU
It's apparent you care not,
it appears you've been bought
Your Senatorial selfishness is political pollution
that may well lead us on the road to revolution.
'Don't Tread on Me' and My Loved Ones.
"Don't Tread On Me" and my loved ones.
Your lack of respect for my life and the lives of my loved ones is tyrannical.
What you do
Is not for me, it's for YOU
It's apparent you care not,
it appears you've been bought
Your Senatorial selfishness is political pollution
that may well lead us on the road to revolution.
'Don't Tread on Me' and My Loved Ones.
It will be a great day when all Americans have access to quality health care when they need it and corporations and billionaires pay at least as large a share of their income as taxes as middle class people do.
Are you listening DNC? Oh, right, "A Better Deal": raising the minimum wage and such while your corporate donors leave us sick, tired, and defenseless. Same old peanuts for the poor, power for the already powerful program that has been losing year after year. Republican-lite. It'll be yuge . . . ish. Yay.
Are you listening DNC? Oh, right, "A Better Deal": raising the minimum wage and such while your corporate donors leave us sick, tired, and defenseless. Same old peanuts for the poor, power for the already powerful program that has been losing year after year. Republican-lite. It'll be yuge . . . ish. Yay.
This past election confirm few things for me , one that I had no idea could be true is that the achievement done under the Obama leadership could never be taken at face value or progress for this young country, what was and will always be the issue is that they were coming from Barak Obama, a guy that for eight years was either to black or to white , Kenyan roots , Malaysian stay , Harvard education , this man represented what we needed at the moment and what this country need now , it was a movement , when millennium tell me that we had our 60' & 70' with Jimmy Hendrix and Woodstock I respond that they are in the middle of a movement that they only have to be part of , education , health care , immigration , justice reform , prison and bail system reform , here is plenty to call a movement.
We as a country showed our true color, we don't need to scratch to deep to see it's ugly little head rear back up.
Press should start calling it Romney's care , since that he was the architect
And the pioneer of this great 20th century experiment of seeing health care as what a government at a minimum owe to their citizen, Washington enjoy the benefits , John Mc Cain can get out of bed during cancer treatment to vote against a bill that actually will save his life , that tells you how much they want to erase his achievement from history books.
We as a country showed our true color, we don't need to scratch to deep to see it's ugly little head rear back up.
Press should start calling it Romney's care , since that he was the architect
And the pioneer of this great 20th century experiment of seeing health care as what a government at a minimum owe to their citizen, Washington enjoy the benefits , John Mc Cain can get out of bed during cancer treatment to vote against a bill that actually will save his life , that tells you how much they want to erase his achievement from history books.
Sometimes I'm curious if some of the people who voted for Trump are now against the repeal of the ACA. If yes, what exactly did they think he was going to do in regard to health care? Historically, the Democrats have been the party of health care, not the Republicans. Tweets about "we're going to have great health care!" do not provide policy substance or reassurance. Great for somebody, perhaps (Mitch McConnell and the 1%), but not great for the rest of us. If Clinton had won, we probably wouldn't all be in this pickle...if Sanders had won, we'd possibly be moving toward a single-payer system. Now we're stuck until 2020, while the "leadership" gyrates and spins its wheels.
1
Americans are clueless about what Republicans are doing to them. Whatever the GOP manages to do to the A.C.A., will be purposely delayed until after the 2018 elections. Therefore, the health care that Americans enjoy will be attributed to the Republican "fix" which will not yet have taken hold. Red state voters will vote Republican again and the GOP will take this as an affirmation they are on the right track. In my opinion, our national crises is not due to the GOP, but an ignorant electorate. With so many Americans hating Obamacare, but liking the Affordable Care Act, is it any wonder we are in this mess?
216
Agreed. That ignorant electorate is also an indifferent one. Many have lost faith in anything that comes out of Washington, DC that they believe it is not worth their interest, observation, or vote. Don't count on 2018 elections to do anything.
Last time Republicans experimented we ended up with the petri-dish that is the White House. No matter the upheaval they cause to the country with their empty promises and screams for change (to anything that will not negatively impact them of course), the Republican elite, including McCain and McConnell, remain standing. They are hiding in plain sight, scolding others for the Republican elite's misdeeds; wiping their brows over partisanship while making secret Republican-only plans for other people's health care, and beating Obamacare to death while lamenting its demise.
2
The first key to passing a bill is to remove the veto power Mitch gave to characters like Crux and Rand Paul. The second is to restore the 770 billion they want to slash from Medicaid. They should throw in some extra to make up for their callous attempt to deny health care for the neediest. Health savings account may help those with money enough to invest in those accounts. But their are millions who cannot put food on the table or are facing eviction because the can't pay the rent. That brings us to the real problem with availability to health care, poverty. Until both parties work to bring people out of poverty, health care will be for those who have money. Taking 770 billion out of medicaid removes what opportunity they have to find healthcare. These bills that Mitch and his pals have brought up are not just wrong but heartless.
3
The contradictions that Republicans offer American cannot be better illustrated than McCain's curious decision. He stated, with emphatic tones, that while he allowed debate, he WOULD-NOT-VOTE-FOR-THIS-BILL and then voted for it. Given the circumstances, I will simply take the incident as proof that Republicans talk out of both sides of their mouths or that their blind passion impedes rationality.
13
Here's a suggestion to the representatives who have their medical insurance paid for by the American people: Extend the same curtesy to the rest of us. Medicare for all. Or allow a public option where we can buy a Medicare policy for our coverage instead of some useless high deducible plan. The rest of the industrialized world has figured this out and it works. I know the insurance industry and the pharmaceutical industry and the medical device industry doesn't want it because it will cut into their profits, but too bad.
9
Mitch McConnell and the majority of his fellow republican Senators are doing what their supporters want them to do. Unfortunately, their supporters are not the people that voted for them, but the few wealthy people and businesses that provided the money for their campaigns. These rich individuals and companies want their tax breaks and cannot get them with current health care law in place.
So Mitch will ram a bill through the Senate, millions of people will suffer, the rich will benefit at the expense of everyone else, and Republican coffers will be full for the next election cycle, which is important as elected Republican senators have an excellent health care plan.
So Mitch will ram a bill through the Senate, millions of people will suffer, the rich will benefit at the expense of everyone else, and Republican coffers will be full for the next election cycle, which is important as elected Republican senators have an excellent health care plan.
6
McConnell LITERALLY was red in his face color last night when McCain was criticizing the past behavior of trying to ram ACA modifications through without bipartisan debate and bipartisan new ideas.
4
Paradoxically, Republicans, whose first concern is money and material goods, are long on selling abstractions like "opportunity," "choice," and "freedom." Yet none of these abstractions provides bandages, pills, shots, or surgery for those who need them, If the Republicans think that Americans deprived of health care, their family, friends, and neighbors will be pleased with, say, the "choice" between health care and food, or the consequences of not only premiums, but also mortality rates, they are gravely mistaken. Today, the Republican Party is America's "death panel."
15
The mandate is one of the most reviled elements of the ACA but what people don't understand is that it's a very light expense compared to the cost of a year of premiums, and it's adjusted according to your income below a certain level. I've opted to pay it in the past because I couldn't afford insurance premiums even with the subsidies. Many others do the same. No one is being forced to buy insurance under the ACA. And the mandate is what keeps premiums low for all of us. You can't complain about the mandate in the same breath that you complain about rising premiums and expect Congress to be able to fix both. They can't defy the laws of mathematics, no matter what magical unicorn promises they've made on the campaign trail.
8
As a political independent trying to decide whether the ACA should be repealed or just repaired, I wish Democrats would present a detailed plan to fix the system, with cost projections. That plan could then be scored by the CBO and we could make an informed decision.
11
Gary : A real fix for healthcare will create the Medicare option for all , reduce the insurance companies to the 'back seat' , offering supplemental policies only and implement cost controls that truly suppress the inflated 'pay for procedure' accounting method now used. Physicians would be placed on salaries and tort reform will be replaced by a government run medical malpractice court , and the government would be able to purchase drugs at bargained prices . Too big a job for our representatives who are on the payroll of insurance and Big Pharma industries.
I just screamed at my iPad reading this. After reading all the "new options" which are not new, just reducing mandatory coverage, eliminating Medicaid and not offering a plan to reduce premiums or out of pocket expenses, I hope this bill fails. The 3 options stink. NOT what Americans want. They want reasonably affordable healthcare that does not deny them coverage based on medical history. No adverse selection. And they want Medicaid. Why is this so hard? Oh, I know. Because repubs want to erase the legacy of Obama. Well, good job repubs, because with this narrow ridiculous thinking you are erasing real lives and legacies of your so called constituents. Remember them? The actual people who depend on your ideas and Bills and laws to protect them. But you do not care. You sit in your ivory palace with your Federal Healthcare plan that you and your family will have for life. So you simply do not care. Shameful. You lie to all of us. This is a disgrace. I have been a nurse for 37 years and you are really messing up our healthcare system, all because of your egos. I know that the ACA is not perfect. I work with patients every single day. So fix it. We all just want it fixed. Do not be so hell bent on destroying it. Lives are at stake here. I implore you to vote no, no, no until the time you can all work together to make this plan better. Democrats and Republicans. Working together for the betterment of mankind. There is no healthy balance to our government. Fix that first.
20
We're all in outrage overload -- and powerless -- until the mid-term elections. At which point, let's throw the bums OUT! Every last freaking one of them that voted for stripping people of insurance.
1
It is very obvious that the GOP is beholden to the big money donors who are insisting in repeal of the ACA, and not to their constituents - 85% of whom do not support this bill.
6
It's easy to think of the millions insured under the ACA as freeloaders, unless you happen to be one of them. example: yesterday i saw one of my patients for a physical. He lost his job, and ins, several years ago, he is in his early 60's now.. He was able to purchase a policy through the ACA thanks to subsidies and when he was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer was able to receive prompt treatment without going bankrupt. He is now disease free. He can also afford to have his other conditions managed by me. He is terrified of what the Repbulicans and Trump are going to do to the ACA, and that he won't be able to afford coverage until he is old enough for Medicare.
30
My 62 year old brother recently lost his battle with leukemia. In 4 months he racked up a $4 MILLION bill at Stanford. Because of Obamacare, my sister-in-law was liable only for "maximum out-of-pocket-costs", and insurance companies pay less than the rack rate billed. We must model efficiencies in European healthcare to make Medicare-for-All to work.
32
A 4 million dollar bill in just 4 months? That is ludicrous. No wonder there isn't Universal healthcare--something needs to be done to fix the system. Healthcare should not be a "business" to make people "rich".
I can't think of a stronger argument than Donald Trump, Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan for amending the Constitution to give Americans the power of recall of their legislators and president. Ignoring the wishes and needs of the citizenry should not be held hostage to an arbitrary timetable. We would get a healthcare bill, and a better one, faster, if we held a recall election today and let the new legislature start from scratch.
20
Fabulous idea! Where do I sign up?
Glen : I hope you are supporting the repeal of Citizens United. Only a united citizenry can defeat the corporate sponsored Citizens United.
While the points made in this editorial are correct, I have never before witnessed legislation being debated in the Senate where the facts were entirely irrelevant. This is the legislative equivalent of burning a cross on President Obama's lawn. It is nothing more than spite from a political party that has been driven by the basest of emotions for the past decade. With control of the congress and the presidency, they now have the power to enforce their animosity. They do not plan on missing their opportunity.
59
And it was handed to them by none other than Obama himself who utterly missed his opportunity in 2009-2010, as I recall the near super majorities of his own party in both houses of Congress for two years. If in 2009-2010 Obama had acted in any way like McConnell now--in Obama's case, for the good of the country--we would have a program for universal coverage that would be practically irreversible, like S.S. and Medicare. FDR and LBJ knew what to do with members of their own party, too. I was immensely frustrated during, yes, that "year working on the law"--a very fragile "compromise," uh, giveaway--because of the seemingly obvious ruthlessness that Republicans had already developed. You don't move in an "incremental" way out of a building on fire, one set by arsonists; you and your A.C.A. will be consumed. The lesson to be learned is to de-mythologize Obama a.s.a.p. and recognize Bernie Sanders' ideas as being entirely realistic for these times.
2
Like you, I support a Medicare-for-All single payer system. I do not mythologize President Obama or the A.C.A. Unlike you, I do not blame President Obama for the Republican Party's descent into the mire. That responsibility rests with the Republicans and the Americans who voted to put them in office.
2
Don't fool yourself Social Security and Medicare are going to be next on Ryan's if not Trump's agenda to repeal. They are unlikely to disappear because of years of benefiting Americans. Before too long that will become the ACA's status as well.
1
Elected Republicans have done everything they can to destroy current health care protections that are on the books and want no robust debate on any part of their repeal of Obamacare. What are elected Republican goals for providing health care coverage to Americans?
-bring down Obamacare,
-give rich Americans a tax break, and
-make one single declaration – ‘We Won!’
Why are these the goals for elected Republicans? Who knows? They get massive campaign funding from folks who support the above goals, so maybe that's what is going on. OR maybe they truly believe that all Americans should not have health care provided by the federal government (which, for many millions of folks, this means no health care).
What should be the Republican (and Democratic, for that matter) goal for this bill?: develop a plan that will actually increase the number of Americans who can get real - not fake - health care insurance.
Why can’t Republican elected officials recognize this?
-bring down Obamacare,
-give rich Americans a tax break, and
-make one single declaration – ‘We Won!’
Why are these the goals for elected Republicans? Who knows? They get massive campaign funding from folks who support the above goals, so maybe that's what is going on. OR maybe they truly believe that all Americans should not have health care provided by the federal government (which, for many millions of folks, this means no health care).
What should be the Republican (and Democratic, for that matter) goal for this bill?: develop a plan that will actually increase the number of Americans who can get real - not fake - health care insurance.
Why can’t Republican elected officials recognize this?
10
"Ignoring overwhelming public opposition to legislation that would destroy the Affordable Care Act..."
Let's not forget that Obama ignored overwhelming public support for a single payer plan, 72% support in the NY Times/CBS poll in 2009 when he ruled out single payer - or even a limited public plan*.
Regarding recent polls showing a surge of support for ACA, it has only ventured above the 50% support twice in its short history, therefore the increased "support" is more of a fear that we'll go back to the miserable system that we had before the modest reforms that ACA initiated.
If the Democratic Party really wants to win back the hearts and minds of the working class, they should start supporting what the public wants: freedom from the onerous private insurance system via a single payer, Medicare For All system.
* Yes, Obama opposed single payer and he dropped the public plan, not because of Republican opposition, but due to a deal to increase industry support for ACA.
https://www.healthcare-now.org/blog/obama-for-single-payer-before-he-was...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/miles-mogulescu/ny-times-reporter-confirm_...
Let's not forget that Obama ignored overwhelming public support for a single payer plan, 72% support in the NY Times/CBS poll in 2009 when he ruled out single payer - or even a limited public plan*.
Regarding recent polls showing a surge of support for ACA, it has only ventured above the 50% support twice in its short history, therefore the increased "support" is more of a fear that we'll go back to the miserable system that we had before the modest reforms that ACA initiated.
If the Democratic Party really wants to win back the hearts and minds of the working class, they should start supporting what the public wants: freedom from the onerous private insurance system via a single payer, Medicare For All system.
* Yes, Obama opposed single payer and he dropped the public plan, not because of Republican opposition, but due to a deal to increase industry support for ACA.
https://www.healthcare-now.org/blog/obama-for-single-payer-before-he-was...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/miles-mogulescu/ny-times-reporter-confirm_...
7
President Obama did not rule out single payer. He couldn't get enough Democrats to go along. It actually came pretty close to passing, but the price of passing anything was to drop the public option. There may well have been a back room deal, but the votes for single payer were just not there.
1
Oh-hum, hindsight can make us all geniuses, but the most important thing today is to deal with the "here and now." Any ideas, other than storming the walls of Congress, on how to win the health care war - as opposed to battle - that are constructive, workable and permanent?
Thank you and thank you again, multiple times for helping people recover from mass amnesia about Obama. You completely stole my thunder, and I thank you. I was horribly frustrated during 2009-2010, that "year working on the [A.C.A.] law," given the sense of last chance against Republicans. Obama's misguided, miscalculated, archaic belief in the "politics of the possible" rather than the *necessary* with seemingly obviously ruthless opponents also enabled much of the obstructionism that Obama apologists now use as an excuse for terrible losses. Actually, for me, the biggest frustration was Obama's handing to Republicans their worst criticism of him--inexperienced and passively leading from behind. Arianna Huffington even called him at one point the "memento" president (people may search and find it). As you may understand already, the lesson to be learned is to adopt Sanders' plans that are now actually the most realistic (and have been for years) to address ruthless opponents.
The symbolism of the health care bill is what matters most to the Republicans. Repeal is a last gasp effort to milk as much as they politically can from the base of voters collected under the rubric "southern strategy." If they can't accomplish this symbolically important draconian act, then they've lost a great portion of their base and they have no place else to go. The "young urban professionals" (yuppies) that were talked about for so long have become largely independent, but democratic leaning, voters. The long-standing attempts by the Republican Party to identify with the spin-offs once called Southern Democrats is proving futile. The Republican desperation is so intense it seems almost tangible.
11
Jon, you hit the nail right on the head!
1
The Republicans have practically destroyed opposition party representation at every level of government, and you consider this act a last gasp? It is actually part and parcel standard operating procedure for ruthless people whose fundamental motive is profoundly selfish greed, and it is fulfilled by controlling through domination. And, boy, has it ever worked wonders for them! I fully expected it after the "election" last November and am surprised only by some of the difficulty they've faced. Of course, they have the Frankenstein's monster Trump to thank for it. But the real question now is whether or not we'll ever return to a system that offers valid choice. I despair of seeing it again in my lifetime.
1
Here's another reason why GOP senators may not be afraid of their constituents on this: They know that voter suppression will help them in their districts, and they do not expect that fair elections will take place.
27
All the more reason to work forma colossal turnout in the mid-term elections -- and throw them all out of office.
Yes. The people commenting here about Republican desperation don't have a clue. Everything has worked very well for these despicable people. (I'll avoid using the word deplorable.)
On the substance, I'm in complete agreement with this editorial. On the form: "Still others may have voted yes because they were afraid of losing primary elections to challengers further to the right than them." Than them are?
3
I noticed it, too, but wonder if it's an example of yet another usage having become acceptable??
Come on, man. Once again you throw out estimates of people who might lose their new-found coverage paid for by other working families, without explaining the problems with the existing law.
Why have my family premiums risen to $2800 a month and my annual deductible tripled to $5800? Probably because Obamacare quietly added two other families to my policy without my ok.
Obamacare is a disaster for many working class, self-employed families whose rates have gone sky high. Please just mention that once in a while.
Why have my family premiums risen to $2800 a month and my annual deductible tripled to $5800? Probably because Obamacare quietly added two other families to my policy without my ok.
Obamacare is a disaster for many working class, self-employed families whose rates have gone sky high. Please just mention that once in a while.
10
How did the law add two more families to your policy? The ACA did not raise rates and deductibles. Those are set by the insurance companies. BY most accounts, the ACA has been a blessing to working families. Just ask all the people on expanded Medicaid in places like Kentucky and Ohio.
41
Everyone agrees that the ACA needs some fixes. Too bad the GOP isn't willing to do what the vast majority wants, which is to work with the Democrats to fix it. If you don't like the ACA, just wait for trumpcare where a person making $25,000 a year will have a $13,000 a year annual deductible
5
@Conservative Democrat:
It does no good to come up with your own personal "facts".
Unless you make over $250k/yr you are not paying for other people's "Obamacare". Fox "News" and Republicans make sure that fact is stifled.
You also realize you're not getting tax breaks unless you make over that income too, right?
I am working class self-employed my entire life and my husband and I--just 2 people-- paid $3,200/mo before Obamacare. We were on the edge of bankruptcy and that plunged us into being more like poverty class self-employed.
We now I pay a reasonable amount for our income.
I thank Obamacare every day.
It does no good to come up with your own personal "facts".
Unless you make over $250k/yr you are not paying for other people's "Obamacare". Fox "News" and Republicans make sure that fact is stifled.
You also realize you're not getting tax breaks unless you make over that income too, right?
I am working class self-employed my entire life and my husband and I--just 2 people-- paid $3,200/mo before Obamacare. We were on the edge of bankruptcy and that plunged us into being more like poverty class self-employed.
We now I pay a reasonable amount for our income.
I thank Obamacare every day.
I am a millennial with a great job and hopefully these horrible bills will not personally effect my access to healthcare. However, I do worry for my fellow citizens, especially Boomers of which over 50% have no savings. What will they do when their healthcare costs eat up more and more of their income? Are we as a nation comfortable with the idea of millions of elderly, our grandparents, living in poverty, or being homeless? The AARP was founded because a little, old school teacher was living in an abandoned chicken coop... we are going backwards, this is not progress.
45
I can't think of anything more relevant right now than the Honorable John McCain (government employee) disclosing what his recent medical situation cost him. Since it is probably nothing whatsoever it would be instructive to know what the same treatment/surgery would cost one of the 20+ million he would leave with no coverage.
Or is that impolite to bring up since he is one of the Special Ones?
Or is that impolite to bring up since he is one of the Special Ones?
80
"The Special Ones" are themselves a cancer ... VOTE AS IF YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT!
If McCain wants bipartisan, all he needs to do is vote no on all three proposals. That will kill them. That would show courage and putting country before party. If he voted yes, the mess that passes is his legacy. He will not be remember as a maverick, but as a Trump puppet.
33
actually mccain is a k street puppet with a specialty in financial affairs, remember senator sam ervin drawling to mccain after the savings and loan swindle: "you sold yo' office." ?
If John McCain or Rob Portman actually cared about the healthcare of the citizens of their state, they would have voted no on Tuesday. This supposed concern by some Republicans is a theatrical farce. The Republicans only have two objectives- erase the presidency of Barack Obama and lower taxes on the very wealthy.
People will die. Republican voters will die. Republican legislators will not care.
People will die. Republican voters will die. Republican legislators will not care.
45
The editorial is a clear, cogent presentation of the various GOP health plans, which, if not beaten back, will inevitably do great harm to many Americans and eventually America itself.
18
NYT contradicts itself. You criticize the Republicans for not discussing the bill and for bringing it to the floor for debate and the proposal of amendments to it.
The American people have elected Republicans to a majority in both houses of Congress and to the White House. The onus is on them is to act to improve upon the nation's current deeply flawed healthcare system. To do it they will have to debate and compromise.
After debate and compromise they should pass a bill that in their opinion improves the system. If a majority of Americans disagree, then in 2018 we need to elect people who will change it for the better.
That is democracy.
The current complete gridlock that we have - where inflexible politicians of all political stripes block compromise and the passage of legislation on virtually every subject - that is democracy failing.
When democracy is failing, world history shows that the people elect leaders like Trump and worse!
Trump is the type of demagogue who would eagerly usurp the authority of Congress if given the chance. And if Congress continues to fail to do its job eventually the American people might just support him in doing so.
No way you say? You mean like there was no way they'd elect Trump President?
The American people have elected Republicans to a majority in both houses of Congress and to the White House. The onus is on them is to act to improve upon the nation's current deeply flawed healthcare system. To do it they will have to debate and compromise.
After debate and compromise they should pass a bill that in their opinion improves the system. If a majority of Americans disagree, then in 2018 we need to elect people who will change it for the better.
That is democracy.
The current complete gridlock that we have - where inflexible politicians of all political stripes block compromise and the passage of legislation on virtually every subject - that is democracy failing.
When democracy is failing, world history shows that the people elect leaders like Trump and worse!
Trump is the type of demagogue who would eagerly usurp the authority of Congress if given the chance. And if Congress continues to fail to do its job eventually the American people might just support him in doing so.
No way you say? You mean like there was no way they'd elect Trump President?
5
The Democratic nominee received more votes, and Democratic house candidates received more votes. It is the Republican voter suppression and gerrymandering that has put them in charge.
That's your idea of democracy? SAD!
That's your idea of democracy? SAD!
7
The Republicans say the opposite - that Democrats added fake votes. Under our system this is the result we got. Unless you want violent revolution then work within the system to change it. Calling the result 'fake news' is simply refusing to deal with reality. It gets us no where. Want a moderate, pragmatic health bill? Push Democrats to work with moderate Republicans to sideline the extremists in both parties.
The theater unfolding on the Senate floor (flaw?) is not democracy or debate, it is procedural machinations to thrust the less objectionable dogs' dinners into a vote with the hope that one night, someone will fall asleep and let one through.
Think about it - they are voting now only because they waited until McCain came out of hospital: one man's healthcare determines healthcare for us all!
Do you suppose the same courtesy will be given if a Democrat falls ill in the next few days?
Think about it - they are voting now only because they waited until McCain came out of hospital: one man's healthcare determines healthcare for us all!
Do you suppose the same courtesy will be given if a Democrat falls ill in the next few days?
Mitch McConnell will go down in history as the butcher of democracy. His cloak & dagger dealing and wheeling are deeply undemocratic and an insult to the sacrifices generations have brought to have a fair and transparent process. It is absolutely staggering to see this hypocrisy in action. Congress should not have the current healthcare plan. It should be adjusted to the proposals they are discussing for the 99%.
25
Metastatic McConnell... VOTE AS IF YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT!
Not the finest moment for all who voted and certainly not the finest moment for John McCain. And a day that, to borrow from FDR, will live in infamy.
15
Pence, the so-called christian, cast the deciding vote to proceed. There must be no mirrors in his home, or more likely, he's blind to what this does to his fellow citizens. Shame, shame, shame.
20
Once again the senators find themselves between a rock and a hard place. This time they must realize they don't have the credit to survive the embarrassment of yet another poor accounting of themselves. In the new political light, and with a newly charged constituency standing in front of them, this is hardly the time or place to fail again to take the country in the right directio.
4
The trajectory of this debate is clear enough. If Republicans should pass a sham- they will be harmed in the mid-term elections- likely losing their majority and setting the stage for impeachment- and reversal of their health care “reforms.” At the same time, they will ironically set the stage for Medicare for All- since this is the only program that is fair and financially sustainable in the long run. And in this and so many other issues- the Age of Stupid will need to give way to necessity if the nation is to survive. Climate Change is another such issue where denial of reality is prelude to disaster.
But what is lost and cannot be forgotten is the thousands that will die because of their perfidy and stupidity. And it will be a test of this nation if it’s citizens will permit this- not just by voting down Republicans in 2018- but even permitting it to be passed at all.
It is no longer clear to me whether Americans have a moral capacity that goes beyond their selfish needs. Whether they realize that their employer health insurance is something that is subject to the vagaries of chance and the whims of their employer. Whether they care about affordability, costs to the economy and their children’s future. Whether the less fortunate mean anything to them in their drive to survive in a cut throat economy. Whether the price of gas is more emotionally moving than the deaths of their fellow Americans.
We shall see.
But what is lost and cannot be forgotten is the thousands that will die because of their perfidy and stupidity. And it will be a test of this nation if it’s citizens will permit this- not just by voting down Republicans in 2018- but even permitting it to be passed at all.
It is no longer clear to me whether Americans have a moral capacity that goes beyond their selfish needs. Whether they realize that their employer health insurance is something that is subject to the vagaries of chance and the whims of their employer. Whether they care about affordability, costs to the economy and their children’s future. Whether the less fortunate mean anything to them in their drive to survive in a cut throat economy. Whether the price of gas is more emotionally moving than the deaths of their fellow Americans.
We shall see.
14
I completely and utterly lost all respect for McCain today. I thought he was an honorable man, I thought he would have made a good president in 2000, I thought the Palin decision was defensible at the time (she had a surprisingly decent track record before she sold out to be a media flake) but this is beyond the pale. First he goes weak on Trump during the campaign and now he engages in this debacle? What is he thinking? He could have stayed home to "recover". Instead he participates in trashing American health care because his party needs a political "win". Why? Given his health the odds of him ever facing an election again are infinitesimal.
There aren't the words to express my disappointment.
There aren't the words to express my disappointment.
17
The problem is that the congress of the United States is for sale and has been bought and paid for. What I really wonder about is if they even read the Health Care bill that they are fighting over.
11
I have completely and utterly lost respect for John McCain. I thought he would have made a good president in 2000, I thought he has served honorably in the senate, and I thought the Palin decision was defensible at the time (she had a surprisingly good record before she sold out to be a media flake). Then he went light on Trump during the campaign and now he is an active participant in this despicable politicking. And for what? Given his health the odds of him running in another campaign are infinitesimal. He could have stayed home "recovering". Yet, in what could be some of the last meaningful votes of his career, he is going along with trashing American health care so his party can score a political "victory". I don't have the words to express my disappointment.
3
I simply cannot understand how Mitch McConnell and those like him can continue to win, returning them back to government to do the very opposite of what is in the best interest of those Americans who do not have the connections and wealth. How is that they get the best health care simply because they work for the government of the people while the people receive the short end of the stick. Something is seriously very wrong with this picture.
8
McConnell and the Republican party simply do not care about "those Americans who do not have the connections and wealth" as you write.
After years in power what have they done to improve the lives of ordinary Americans?
Heck, they don't even try!
After years in power what have they done to improve the lives of ordinary Americans?
Heck, they don't even try!
This is pure political spite, nothing less. But what is truly "surreal" is that so many Republican voters still support these guys. It's like they live in some alternate reality where consequences are disconnected from their actions. How else do you explain how Republicans can put forth plans that eliminate jobs and wages, and health care, poisoning water and destroying the environment, but none of that matters to their base?
Based on that dynamic, the Republicans rightfully believe that they're immune from voter backlash...at least for now. Our only hope is that enough people rise up in 2018 to take back Congress from these oligarchs. If that doesn't happen, our Republic will fall soon after.
Based on that dynamic, the Republicans rightfully believe that they're immune from voter backlash...at least for now. Our only hope is that enough people rise up in 2018 to take back Congress from these oligarchs. If that doesn't happen, our Republic will fall soon after.
11
Whoever the President, whatever the administration, medical health care has been a mess in the USA for years. Everyone's trying to blame Trump because he's a loudmouthed businessman come politician but the reality is we American people are to blame because we all want health care tied to our jobs and industry. IT IS NOT TRUMP'S FAULT that he's a businessman in the business-healthcare system which is now OUR USA. The business of America is business said Calvin Coolidge and we Americans are represented by politicians that have been elected by us. In other words, we are the problem, so look in the mirror, People, and stop blaming Trump. He is the only decent one talking about the disaster that is Obamacare.
2
Talk is cheep - like a tweet. When he offers solutions I will say thank you - but until then - he is just a huckster holding rallies.
We cannot put enough emphasis on the little "gotcha" embodied in this whole Republican cruelty. All of these repeal provisions - with or without some stingy replace - are scheduled to go into effect after the 2018 elections so that these cruel men can pull the wool over voters' eyes for another term of harming their constituents. McCain has now demonstrated that he's among the worst of them; in view of his prognosis, he probably won't even be around to witness the havoc he's trying to wreak on the American people.
13
Would it be possible to give every Republican senator and congressman and the president a POP QUIZ to determine which of these people (nearly all men) has actually read the merciless bills they're fighting so hard to pass?
Trump's score on this quiz would be significant. He's been throwing his weight around (not a pretty show), threatening and insulting people who fail to help him "kill off" the ACA, or as he calls it, Obamacare. He's demanding that "loyal" members of the GOP help him destroy the roots and branches of Obama's legacy. But has Trump READ and can he recall any section of this legislation, in any version, or did he just hear about it watching Hannity after midnight... or catch news of it in a clubhouse overlooking one of his golf courses?
Trump's score on this quiz would be significant. He's been throwing his weight around (not a pretty show), threatening and insulting people who fail to help him "kill off" the ACA, or as he calls it, Obamacare. He's demanding that "loyal" members of the GOP help him destroy the roots and branches of Obama's legacy. But has Trump READ and can he recall any section of this legislation, in any version, or did he just hear about it watching Hannity after midnight... or catch news of it in a clubhouse overlooking one of his golf courses?
6
Please be accurate: This is the Republican Party's Health Care Travesty. No longer merely a tax cut for the wealthy, paid for by the rest of us, it's degenerated even further into a craven "Give Trump a 'Win' at Any Cost" bill. Democrats and Independents have nothing to do with it, and want nothing to do with it.
7
John McCain's brain cancer treatment will cost over a million dollars. I know because I had cancer two years ago, and the proton radiation treatment alone cost over a million dollars. Medicare covered everything 100%. I suspect Medicare covered much of the 80-year-old McCain's treatment as well. Why can't every American citizen be fully covered by Medicare from birth to death?
10
Well, Medicare and the secondary, at least in my mother's case. Between the two, my mother's final illness was completely covered. When I brought her home for hospice care, they covered everything but her twenty-four hour aides whom, alas, I needed only for less than a week.
And I do mean alas.
And I do mean alas.
3
This could have been a legacy moment for McCain, having recently received the world's best medical care then returning to the Senate the day after trump's mental illness was on full display as he messed with the minds if 40,000 Boy Scouts.
McCain shoukd've shown the courage to tell the Senate and the world, trump must go, America is better than this. And, he should've voted against those that want to give a tax break to the rich while taking healthcare away from the needy.
McCain shoukd've shown the courage to tell the Senate and the world, trump must go, America is better than this. And, he should've voted against those that want to give a tax break to the rich while taking healthcare away from the needy.
7
Nice to see that McConnell's wrecking crew lost the late-night vote on the actual bill by a margin of 43-57. Looks like the dreaded specter of bipartisanship has a chance as the slog continues.
4
The House of Representatives is filled with men and women from Gerrymandered districts in which a person from the dominant party cannot lose in the absence of a lurid scandal. So, it was not surprising that the lower chamber had a lot of tough-talking, safe-district Republicans railing against the evils of Obamacare. Still, the cruel House bill passed only by a relatively small margin.
The Senate, whose members run statewide, were duly warned, and Mitch McConnell’s inner circle relied on the tactics of secrecy, coming up with a plan which is as bad as that hatched in the House. The Republicans still have accomplished nothing, other than to win narrowly the right to debate a series of Republican amendments.
The amendment package has now been defeated, which is good, but through all of this the Republicans have held their hands over their ears, refusing to listen to the American people who overwhelmingly want an Obamacare-like comprehensive healthcare financing law.
The Republicans hide behind a claim of pure conservative distaste for federal involvement in healthcare financing, but that is ridiculous. Medicare, for example, was enacted decades ago, and real people love it. Medicaid, which Republicans bash at every opportunity, is a lifeline to millions.
The truth is the Republicans on Capitol Hill are afraid of Donald Trump and cannot isolate him on the issue of healthcare, like they can on the straight-forward, existential issue of Trump’s sellout to the Russians.
The Senate, whose members run statewide, were duly warned, and Mitch McConnell’s inner circle relied on the tactics of secrecy, coming up with a plan which is as bad as that hatched in the House. The Republicans still have accomplished nothing, other than to win narrowly the right to debate a series of Republican amendments.
The amendment package has now been defeated, which is good, but through all of this the Republicans have held their hands over their ears, refusing to listen to the American people who overwhelmingly want an Obamacare-like comprehensive healthcare financing law.
The Republicans hide behind a claim of pure conservative distaste for federal involvement in healthcare financing, but that is ridiculous. Medicare, for example, was enacted decades ago, and real people love it. Medicaid, which Republicans bash at every opportunity, is a lifeline to millions.
The truth is the Republicans on Capitol Hill are afraid of Donald Trump and cannot isolate him on the issue of healthcare, like they can on the straight-forward, existential issue of Trump’s sellout to the Russians.
2
I wonder deep down in his mind that McCain is thinking that while I'm voting to help eliminate insurance for many millions while I have health insurance that is being used to fight my cancer.
Don't any of these Republicans have any compassion? I guess they just put themselves above everyone else in this country. Unfortunately, they just don't care about how many deaths they will cause. If in another parallel world a bill came before them that was not health care oriented but it had the effect of causing so many deaths, I bet they could and maybe not vote for it.
Don't any of these Republicans have any compassion? I guess they just put themselves above everyone else in this country. Unfortunately, they just don't care about how many deaths they will cause. If in another parallel world a bill came before them that was not health care oriented but it had the effect of causing so many deaths, I bet they could and maybe not vote for it.
7
"Don't any of these Republicans have any compassion?"
I'm sure they do. It's just that Democrats want to show their compassion by making you pay for it. How much of your own money are you willing to give up to show your compassion?
I'm sure they do. It's just that Democrats want to show their compassion by making you pay for it. How much of your own money are you willing to give up to show your compassion?
I actually thought that McCain, pretty much right out of surgery, and having had a health-care epiphany, was rushing to the Senate in order to demand a healthcare bill that gives all Americans the same insurance that he and all his colleagues have.
I guess I was wrong.
I guess I was wrong.
It would be so simple to repair the ACA but republicans choose to obliterate it and provide destructive measures for replacement. They are not even trying to reinvent the wheel just so they kept their promise, a promise that only a fool would accept.
Trump keeps crying ACA is a disaster. It can be fixed. The only disaster is man made, Trump. Believe what you want but your life could hang in the balance. Things would be much more productive if the parties were debating a rollout of Medicare for all system. Then it would be the insurance companies complaining because of the lost billions in profits.
As it should be.
Trump keeps crying ACA is a disaster. It can be fixed. The only disaster is man made, Trump. Believe what you want but your life could hang in the balance. Things would be much more productive if the parties were debating a rollout of Medicare for all system. Then it would be the insurance companies complaining because of the lost billions in profits.
As it should be.
9
"It would be so simple to repair the ACA but republicans choose to obliterate it and provide destructive measures for replacement."
OK, what are the simple repairs to the ACA?
OK, what are the simple repairs to the ACA?
Single-payer would fix almost everything. Medicare being allowed to negotiate drug prices. Higher tax penalty for going uninsured... there's a lot that could be done; too bad only the Dems have given it any thought.
3
@ Jim Demers: "Single-payer would fix almost everything."
Single-payer only works when government fixes prices. There are plenty of physicians who will now refuse to take on new Medicare patients because of the low reimbursement from the government. What do you think will happen when it becomes "Medicare for all?"
Single-payer only works when government fixes prices. There are plenty of physicians who will now refuse to take on new Medicare patients because of the low reimbursement from the government. What do you think will happen when it becomes "Medicare for all?"
Once again the senators find themselves between a rock and a hard place. This time they must realize they don't have the credit to survive the embarrassment of yet another poor accounting of themselves. In the new political light, and with a charged constituency standing in front of them, this is hardly the time or place for them to fail again to take the country in the right direction.
1
Everything has a price because nothing is free. Unfortunately the Democrats think that money for health care falls from the sky's like manna from heaven. They have pitched this to the electorate and, unfortunately, many have swallowed it, hook, line and sinker. This is why the ACA was guaranteed to be a failure. Personally I think the Democratic plan was for the ACA to fail in the current market system so as to make the final run to a single payer system, their ultimate objective.
The Republicans have fallen flat on their face by not addressing the real problem with the economic feasibility of the current market place. You can't have your cake and eat it too. To broaden the availability and lower costs they must take aggressive action to against the real drivers of expense growth. Tort reform, pre-existing conditions, orphan illnesses, etc.
The Republicans have fallen flat on their face by not addressing the real problem with the economic feasibility of the current market place. You can't have your cake and eat it too. To broaden the availability and lower costs they must take aggressive action to against the real drivers of expense growth. Tort reform, pre-existing conditions, orphan illnesses, etc.
2
"To broaden the availability and lower costs they must take aggressive action to against the real drivers of expense growth. Tort reform, pre-existing conditions, orphan illnesses, etc."
To reduce costs the government needs to get out of managing health care, period.
To reduce costs the government needs to get out of managing health care, period.
Tort reform? The Wall Street Journal ran a front page article this week that the number of lawsuits has fallen drastically. Tort reform and immunity for bad doctors is not the answer.
Doctors in the US make 3X what a physician in Germany earns. Therein lies the REAL problem.
Doctors in the US make 3X what a physician in Germany earns. Therein lies the REAL problem.
3
"Health care for profit" is the real problem. When demand is not elastic, and there's little or no chance for buyers to to shop around, preposterous prices are inevitable. Most civilized countries have figured this out.
So has the US, for that matter ... but when corporate interests rule, as they do for the GOP, change is hard to come by.
So has the US, for that matter ... but when corporate interests rule, as they do for the GOP, change is hard to come by.
The only reasons I can think for Republican resistance to a bi-partisan effort on healthcare reform is their fear that they will pay a price at the polls. They also fear the tweets of a president who is still extremely popular with base Republican voters. Perhaps too they simply don't want to appear stupid and ineffectual. After all, for seven years they railed against the evils of Obamacare. They voted upwards of 60 times to repeal it. And now that they have the power to do just that, they can't. I'd be embarrassed too.
4
"The only reasons I can think for Republican resistance to a bi-partisan effort on healthcare reform ..."
That's rich. The Democrats were not going to seriously change their version of health care reform when they introduced the ACA - not one Republican voted for it, remember? Now you're complaining about bi-partisanship? Really?
That's rich. The Democrats were not going to seriously change their version of health care reform when they introduced the ACA - not one Republican voted for it, remember? Now you're complaining about bi-partisanship? Really?
Rebupblicans got to debate it and amend it - then went off the rails with naked partisanship. Now you're complaining about it? Really?
McCain has suggested cooperation with the Dems, bipartisan bills have been his proudest moments, he says.
Whatever McCain may think, McConnell/Ryan have only one aim in attracting Dem support: to provide a hook by which to hang the horrible consequences of their bill on the Dems and duck any backlash.
If the GOP had any intention to form a decent healthcare bill, it would have showed up already. The differences among the GOP making it impossible to pass a bill are not differences over how to make healthcare work. They are differences over how little healthcare they can provide and get away with it.
The Dems cannot expect to benefit from any collaboration with the GOP. However pretty the ripe red apple that results, one bite is fatal.
Whatever McCain may think, McConnell/Ryan have only one aim in attracting Dem support: to provide a hook by which to hang the horrible consequences of their bill on the Dems and duck any backlash.
If the GOP had any intention to form a decent healthcare bill, it would have showed up already. The differences among the GOP making it impossible to pass a bill are not differences over how to make healthcare work. They are differences over how little healthcare they can provide and get away with it.
The Dems cannot expect to benefit from any collaboration with the GOP. However pretty the ripe red apple that results, one bite is fatal.
1
Didn't the Republicans endlessly mock the Democrats for Nancy Pelosi supposedly saying "We have to pass the bill to see what's in it" when Obamacare was being passed?
Now Republicans are doing the same thing. They are voting to debate a Trumpcare bill when they don't even know which of the 3 or 4 versions of the bill is in front of them. What hypocrisy.
I do not EVER want to hear any more snipes against Pelosi's remark, after the Republicans pull this dumb stunt.
Now Republicans are doing the same thing. They are voting to debate a Trumpcare bill when they don't even know which of the 3 or 4 versions of the bill is in front of them. What hypocrisy.
I do not EVER want to hear any more snipes against Pelosi's remark, after the Republicans pull this dumb stunt.
1
Hypocrisy is not owned by either party. But at least they are starting to debate.
Did I miss something. McCain said in his speech that he could not vote for the Republican bill as currently written. Then he turned around and did just that. I listened to his speech and began to hope that things might change. With his vote that hope is gone. Win or lose, it appears Americans will be left with a very flawed health care system. If the Republicans win, many will lose coverage. If the Republicans lose many will be left with premiums they can't afford. Yes Senator, you and your colleagues are getting nothing done, and it appears that will continue.
5
" Win or lose, it appears Americans will be left with a very flawed health care system."
We already have a very flawed health care system, and most of it can be blamed on government involvement.
We already have a very flawed health care system, and most of it can be blamed on government involvement.
So this is democracy? What happened to by the people, for the people? Oh, that's right Citizen's United made it by the people for the corporation and the one percenters.
4
"So this is democracy?"
Democracy is mob rule - three wolves and one sheep voting on what's for dinner. We were never designed to be a democracy. And I guarantee the first time a minority is somehow "disadvantaged" by the majority, you'll be complaining about how unfair democracy is.
Democracy is mob rule - three wolves and one sheep voting on what's for dinner. We were never designed to be a democracy. And I guarantee the first time a minority is somehow "disadvantaged" by the majority, you'll be complaining about how unfair democracy is.
Who would believe that we're tearing this country apart because we can't agree that sick people should get medical care without going broke.
When children under 10 with congenital illnesses have to lobby elected officials to continue their healthcare, and disabled citizens are arrested daily as they protest for their lives, that should be a signal to legislators that they are doing something very wrong.
We may be the richest country on earth, but we are morally bankrupt.
When children under 10 with congenital illnesses have to lobby elected officials to continue their healthcare, and disabled citizens are arrested daily as they protest for their lives, that should be a signal to legislators that they are doing something very wrong.
We may be the richest country on earth, but we are morally bankrupt.
7
Trump has won over the Republican Party and they bought into his plan. The Senate is no longer an equal part of government They are Trumps employees and he has demanded and got blind obedience and loyalty. They will do anything he wants. Poor John McCain. Nice speech but there was not an ounce of truth in it..
2
McCain is worse than those who consistently stated they would vote for repeal - his patronizing speech and subsequent behavior expose his hypocrisy, and the fact he will enjoy world class health care ON OUR DIME while denying it to millions is outrageous. The GOP is an unmoored cult who with their irresponsible, self-serving behavior has forfeited their right to lead anyone anywhere and the short-term thinking that has them focused solely on their next election & deep pocketed donors reveals a callousness incompatible with public service. This disgusting excuse for leadership will devastate millions but at the same time they underestimate the enemies they have inspired who will work tirelessly to see them defeated.
3
One time, many years ago, out of some sort of sheer frustration in trying to make sense of a world that I felt was a "polltical-centric" nightmare, I told my father that "Poltics is psychotic". I think the idea perplexed him. This now is the best example I could give him. But he's nearly 96 now, and I think it's probaby best I let the matter pass. Sometimes you just have to let things go, right? RIGHT?
Healthcare is a right. A patient is a hostage and the deadly combination political lobbies/insurance companies/hospital-doctors/drug manufacturers resemble nothing but a lethal mafia exploiting the situation as a business. As a simple comparison, one can choose to buy a fridge but not to undergo medical treatment. A civilized society understands the humane and social value of keeping its members healthy as a contribution to the common good. We should simply look at some western countries such as the Scandinavian or Canada or the UK who provide care to all.
It is a crude insult to decency to exploit a human tragedy for the sake of buying a new Mercedes every six months or advance a rotten and corrupt political career.
At the end, there's collapse, malaise and resentment. So be it. Just don't forget Marie Antoinette fate.
It is a crude insult to decency to exploit a human tragedy for the sake of buying a new Mercedes every six months or advance a rotten and corrupt political career.
At the end, there's collapse, malaise and resentment. So be it. Just don't forget Marie Antoinette fate.
John McCain showed up for glory to make himself a hero once again .
He is no hero, Trump was absolutely correct for once at least, like a broken clock.
McCain 80 years will be remembered to deprive poor and needy from getting proper health care benefits.
This is a sad day in America when someone chosen to help the Country and the folks who put him there are there to destroy the same without looking back.
Time to go Senator .
He is no hero, Trump was absolutely correct for once at least, like a broken clock.
McCain 80 years will be remembered to deprive poor and needy from getting proper health care benefits.
This is a sad day in America when someone chosen to help the Country and the folks who put him there are there to destroy the same without looking back.
Time to go Senator .
3
Take the men out of the equation. Put all the women in Congress together and let them come up with a health care plan. I bet it would be comprehensive, implementable, affordable and bipartisan.
6
I hope the women in the Senate--ALL of them--stand up individually and make very good critiques of all versions of McConnellcare.
More important: I hope those women offer very strong statements in the debates about reasonable steps we could take in a bipartisan way to next proceed with improved healthcare for Americans.
Would someone also argue that the for profit insurance approach has been one of the biggest detriments, and should be clipped to control how much mo eh actually available for CARE!
More important: I hope those women offer very strong statements in the debates about reasonable steps we could take in a bipartisan way to next proceed with improved healthcare for Americans.
Would someone also argue that the for profit insurance approach has been one of the biggest detriments, and should be clipped to control how much mo eh actually available for CARE!
Senator McCain gave a stirring speech today. Apparently he was too addled to realize that he could have forced the very actions he so passionately advocated for, merely by voting "no". Guess he doesn't really mean it. Passing the buck is the Republican Party's favorite game.
5
Chuck, Dianne. Nancy -- Please shape it up! You're getting beat at every turn by a party that hates itself, can't get its message straight and is surrounded by denial. I'm talking about the DNC.
If you really want to prevent America's slide into authoritarianism, you MUST give power and voice to the Bernie Sanders wing of lefter-leaning Democrats. Your vast experience and mastery of the rules of Washington are precious and vital. However, if we're going to stop this slide into authoritarianism, we need inspired leadership that looks to the future -- and is not mired re-litigating the past.
If you really want to prevent America's slide into authoritarianism, you MUST give power and voice to the Bernie Sanders wing of lefter-leaning Democrats. Your vast experience and mastery of the rules of Washington are precious and vital. However, if we're going to stop this slide into authoritarianism, we need inspired leadership that looks to the future -- and is not mired re-litigating the past.
This should not surprise any American - this is what Republicans do. There are only two things they care about: re-election, and obeying their wealthy owners.
4
Yesterday, the Senate Republicans openly thumbed their noses at the American people with their vote to wreck the ACA with no alternate blueprint in sight. The irony is that John McCain, still recuperating from a recent life threatening procedure, hurried to Washington to deny that same health care protection to millions of Americans.
Who anointed Mitch McConnell, with this travesty and his theft of a Supreme Court seat from Merrick Garland last year, supreme majesty, absolute monarch and king of the United States?
Who anointed Mitch McConnell, with this travesty and his theft of a Supreme Court seat from Merrick Garland last year, supreme majesty, absolute monarch and king of the United States?
2
Good Luck Sen. McCain with your diagnosis and your platinum quality health care. If we're all so luck with having that tupe of insurance, when we needed it.
You are just stating the process of breaking down even the insurance that is available to millions.
You are just stating the process of breaking down even the insurance that is available to millions.
1
The Senate Bill, in whatever form it takes, will deliberately delay its implementation for years to allow the GOP time to destroy the ACA and make an aspirin look like great care. What can be done to make evident this shocking flim-flummery isn't fooling anybody??
It's up to constituents to protest. So far protests have only resulted in GOP representatives ducking meetings and disabling their phones and web sites. Mass demonstrations may be the only way to make 2018 an election to remember.
It's up to constituents to protest. So far protests have only resulted in GOP representatives ducking meetings and disabling their phones and web sites. Mass demonstrations may be the only way to make 2018 an election to remember.
2
John McCain had his best chance at sealing his reputation as a "maverick" but utterly blew it. He sandwiched his emotional, high-minded speech on the Senate floor in which he urged his colleagues to work for the American people instead of worrying solely about winning political battles with two votes to do exactly the opposite. He voted to allow the Senate to consider the awful health care bills the Republican leadership has come up with, and then voted in support of the first of those terrible bills to come before the Senate. Even knowing these could be among the last major acts he undertakes as a Senator, McCain could not summon the courage to put country before party. Despite his empty rhetoric, McCain's reputation as war hero turned tragically into political hack is thus secured for all time.
4
The Republican Party's process on "healthcare reform" reminds me of of the comment attributed to General Westmoreland after destroying aa South Vietnamese village: "We had to destroy the village to save it!" When ideology and native myopia combine, political party logic gets distorted beyond remedy.
3
All you have to do to see where Mitch McConnell's priorities lie is glance at the statistics about the state he has helped govern since the mid-1980s. By any measure, Kentucky is a mess. It is poor, unhealthy, under-employed, non-competitive, poorly educated, addicted, and despairing. While Mitch has been off playing tactician, his state has continued to sink. McConnell is a heartless, cold, ruthless man who is out for himself. Maybe the chickens are finally coming home to roost.
428
I can respect your assessment of the bluegrass state. However, if you're employed with maybe somebody like GM at the Corvette plant in Ky. it has to be okay. My point is that I believe that there are a few folks who agree that overall Ky is a mess, but that if you have a good job down there: that you can exploit the populace like Mitch and Rand does and live a pretty decent life.
From what I've heard from friends who are antiques dealers in Kentucky, McConnell has a secret that he wants to keep buried. His party also wants to have people live various lies.
A little sunshine, please!
A little sunshine, please!
Is exploiting the populace really a "decent life"?
I keep having this crazy fantasy, where Mitch McConnell, Paul Ryan, Rand Paul, and other GOP stalwarts are forced to spend several days in a "pop-up" tent city health care clinic, like the one held in Virginia last weekend. What poetic justice it would be to see them standing in the sun for hours waiting with "the undeserving poor" without adequate access to healthcare who have come to have rotten teeth pulled, get eye glasses and be tested for glaucoma, receive scans for breast cancer and other diseases, and receive vital medicines they can't afford - and this in the richest country in the world!
However the idea that such exposure to the ravages of America's healthcare debacle would change the views of these compassionless men really is only wishful thinking. If Paul Ryan had such an experience I'm sure it would only strengthen his view that, affordable healthcare, like free lunches for poor children would only be bad for the soul.
However the idea that such exposure to the ravages of America's healthcare debacle would change the views of these compassionless men really is only wishful thinking. If Paul Ryan had such an experience I'm sure it would only strengthen his view that, affordable healthcare, like free lunches for poor children would only be bad for the soul.
318
"Republicans seem oblivious to those concerns, and to the danger that voters who lose access to health care could retaliate at the ballot box in the 2018 and 2020 elections. Some lawmakers may have decided that voters will in fact reward them for living up to their promises to repeal Obamacare, and that because actual repeal would be delayed two or more years, they will pay no price. Still others may have voted yes because they were afraid of losing primary elections to challengers further to the right than them...."
Whatever the reason, it's all about them and their futures -- not you and yours.
Whatever the reason, it's all about them and their futures -- not you and yours.
1
What these collaborators of Trump really deserve is what people who did NOT deserve them got due to their ethnicity, religion, or sexuality in our former enemy, Germany, from 1934-45. They'd gladly force it down the throats of a far wider number of victims here.
What goes around, should come around.
What goes around, should come around.
They should be there, but for the same reason everyone else is: because it is their only option. Those hypocrites deserve none of their perks.
A lot of fear mongering on both sides. Health insurance does ensure health care. Federal and state Government managed health care (similar to the one in Canada and Britain) for all the uninsured is the answer. What makes health care such an enormous expense to the tax payers is the profit margins and CEO compensation of private health insurance providers.
8
Will Americans be apprised of the increased healthcare expenses to taxpayers that result when 15 to 40 million people turn to emergency dept. for all of the medical care, the number of premature deaths and disability, the lost income taxes the ill will not pay, the burden of 50% cancer incidence on the elderly, job loss, loss of businesses, increased social services, policing, education failure, etc. Surley these costs will be far greater.
Will the Democrats stop this madness?
Will the Democrats stop this madness?
163
Apparently, the democrats are equally disinterested in their constituents. They've done and continue to do nothing.
Ron Johnson, Paul Ryan and some other Republicans are concerned about the contribution of the AFA and Medicare to the national debt,and rightly so. But I do not think that they have seriously thought about the consequences of repealing or the disabling of the ACA on individual Americans and the healthcare system. With the millions of people losing health insurance, it is inevitable that there will be huge health care debt piled on to these people. The net result is skyrocketing individual debt, instead of national debt.
Bottom line being, we need to deal with the cost of health care, which none of the proposed bills do.
Bottom line being, we need to deal with the cost of health care, which none of the proposed bills do.
Time for Mr. McCain to stand up and say, "I just came out of surgery, and I do not have to worry that bills will start arriving in the mail from physicians who poked their heads into my room, nodded at me, and then went to the next room; from substitute anesthesiologists who stood by waiting and were never called on; and from the hospital for the television set I did not use. Or for the psychiatrist who visited while I was in a coma but charged for a session.
"My wife will not, thank goodness, have to worry about paying my bills after I am dead and possibly losing our house when our health insurance corporation deems some services unnecessary."
Then he needs to add, "No American should have to worry about those things. That's what we need to accomplish in this new health plan we're debating. And frankly, my friends, there should be no debate. Let's give Americans the same health plan we have for ourselves."
"My wife will not, thank goodness, have to worry about paying my bills after I am dead and possibly losing our house when our health insurance corporation deems some services unnecessary."
Then he needs to add, "No American should have to worry about those things. That's what we need to accomplish in this new health plan we're debating. And frankly, my friends, there should be no debate. Let's give Americans the same health plan we have for ourselves."
394
Sadly, "waiting for McCain" is liberal fantasy. It's not going to happen.
You're asking for perspective from the wrong guy. McCain flew in for the vote on his wife's private jet. McCain's wife is a multi-millionaire (thanks to inheriting her dad's beer distributorship) so even if McCain had horrible insurance, it wouldn't matter.
Re the psychiatrist who visited in hospital: While Mr. McCain was not in a coma, but only asleep after surgery, my uncle was indeed in a coma and visited by a psychiatrist who obviously could not communicate with him. After my uncle died, my aunt received the bill for his services.
Congress should just repeal the ACA. All true good Americans understand that there is no free lunch, someone has to pay the bill. They understand intuitively the taxing productive labor to finance healthcare for those that don't want to purchase it drains the economy of its mojo. The Republican ran and won on repealing the ACA, they need to just do it. That is why they were elected. Failing to do what they were elected to do should have political consequences. MAGA
1
How come you're confusing health care with lunch?
2
Health insurance for all is not a "free lunch." Employer provided health insurance is not dismissed as a "free lunch." It's called a "benefit." My Am. Heritage dictionary defines "benefit" as "something that enhances "well being."
People who don't have the jobs that include "benefits" or those who are not employed....also deserve such a "benefit." Every other country that is not poor makes sure that everyone has access to health care.
I, for one, am horrified that many members of Congress, who have no clue what it's like to live without health insurance, want to "save" money by making many of their fellow citizens sad and desperate. Do you think this is the "American way"??
People who don't have the jobs that include "benefits" or those who are not employed....also deserve such a "benefit." Every other country that is not poor makes sure that everyone has access to health care.
I, for one, am horrified that many members of Congress, who have no clue what it's like to live without health insurance, want to "save" money by making many of their fellow citizens sad and desperate. Do you think this is the "American way"??
3
David, when did one American citizen get the right to determine, what is the definition of a true good American? The Republicans ran on a platform that they would Repeal and improve the ACA. Their actions so far have proved that the hyperbole around that pledge has not been fulfilled. Our representatives were elected to serve the will of the people. The will of the people indicate that 70% of Americans want affordable health care for all American citizens. I agree with you on one point, our representatives failing to do what they should do uphold the will of the American people, will have consequences for them in the next election.
1
A large number of Americans have found religion (healthcare for everyone). Republicans have not. If Repubs were to give up their fight to transform healthcare into an off-the-shelf purchase controlled by a free market, everything they have campaigned on for decades would become suspect. So, for now, its "full speed ahead into the abyss". I doubt there will be anything on the other side when they get there.
5
I don't understand why every person who works in or owns a nursing home is not in Washington begging Republicans to stop this madness. When my father, who was in a nursing home on Medicaid, was alive I asked the owner of the nursing home how many of the patients were on Medicaid. He said that 95% of them were. If that statistic is true for even just half of nursing homes - and I'll bet it's true for much more than that - they will all go under. What will we do then? It was not possible for me to take care of my beloved father in my home as I worked full time. I visited with him every day and we had quality time together because, for the most part, he was well taken care of, though that's not where he wanted to be.
I don't know what people will do with their loved ones if nursing homes are forced to close because of drastic cuts to Medicaid. Perhaps I'm wrong in this assumption: I hope so.
I don't know what people will do with their loved ones if nursing homes are forced to close because of drastic cuts to Medicaid. Perhaps I'm wrong in this assumption: I hope so.
9
You are not wrong. The rich--and that means the Congress--will care for their parents out of pocket. For the 1% it's chump change. For the rest of us, the road to bankruptcy.
That's why I have long supported an NHS for America. It works well in the UK, whatever the Right tries to tell you otherwise.
That's why I have long supported an NHS for America. It works well in the UK, whatever the Right tries to tell you otherwise.
Food for Thought By depriving millions of US citizens with sky-hi premiums for Health Care if the GOP plans are implemented, The Insurance and Drug Companies along with Republicans should be charged with crimes against humanity
9
There is a workable plan. It was passed by the House. It modifies ACA, which is what the voters called for in the last election.
1
That plan, without bi-partisan collaboration was called for by votes in gerrymandered districts and does not reflect the true opinion of the American people.
14
Right- it deprives 20 million people of health insurance resulting in bankruptcies, disability and early death for people all over the country. And for what? Tax breaks for the wealthy?
1
Read the CBO report. The House plan is terrible.
Why not write an article comparing Sen. Cruz's plan and the health insurance he. McConnell and their families and associates enjoy for life. Since when has tis ruling elite become so distanced from those they supposedly serve?
10
When they started taking campaign donations and owed the donor class paybacks with tax cuts so they can live off the rest of us for free.
McCain can say anything he wants about the futility and unpopular public support for the repeal of Obamacare that the Republican's simply ignore. But his vote to allow the Republican plan to reach the floor for debate means his words are empty and ignore the desires of the very people who elected him. He is a traitor to democracy.
32
Taking his own advice, Ted Cruz should NOT be forced to accept the federal government "gold cadillac" health care plan, paid for by US taxpayers and mandated for him and his family, as a US Senator. He should be able AND WILLING to have his own stripped-down plan, thereby giving him "complete freedom of choice," such as he proffers to his constituency and, by proxy, to the rest of us.
30
Want a compromise health plan in three months time that will satisfy a majority of Republicans and Democrats in the House and the Senate?
Have Ryan, Pelosi, McConnell and Schumer hold a joint press conference in which they announce they will brook no interference of any kind from Trump in fashioning one, not even a tweet or a squeak.
Have Ryan, Pelosi, McConnell and Schumer hold a joint press conference in which they announce they will brook no interference of any kind from Trump in fashioning one, not even a tweet or a squeak.
5
In addition to doing everything possible to take away portions of the ACA Trump and his self-serving acolytes are attempting to take away health care protection from millions of people. By doing things like shortening the enrollment period for new people who enroll and other things as well as attempting to pass a repeal the administration is going to literally kills thousands of people.
5
Why aren't they voting on Trump's version of the bill? I hear that it is tremendous and beautiful; that it will provide every American with the BEST health care coverage in world history.
26
Ordinarily, I would be in favor of a motion to debate and discuss such an important topic. But we are hardly in ordinary times. I do not trust the Republicans and the vote that passed brings us one step closer to leaving a significant number of citizens without health care.
13
Thanks for this Editorial.
The lives of all Americans are at stake. We need more Americans to know how national and Republican Red State policies affect people where they live, drive, or work.
See http://www.legalreader.com/republican-red-states-care-less/
The lives of all Americans are at stake. We need more Americans to know how national and Republican Red State policies affect people where they live, drive, or work.
See http://www.legalreader.com/republican-red-states-care-less/
7
NYT and other liberal media, why not write about the millions of employees that have been laid off because of ACA''s employer mandate, or whose job was made part-time? Why not talk to the CEO's of outstanding and leading edge medical and clinical institutions like Mayo snd the Cleveland clinics? Tell us the real story how ACA has affected them and their patients? Tell us why so many private practices are increasingly turning away Medicare patients? Our healthcare system is a mess thanks to Obamacare . Let's talk to the millions of people who hate Obamacare because of the insanely high deductibles and premiums. Let's talk to the doctors whose practices have been decimated by Obamacare. Do all of these things and then let's have sn honest discussion.
2
Of course there are problems w ACA. No law is perfect. Fixes are needed. So you will find patients and providers who have been negatively effected. However as a provider, you will not find anything more than a sliver of the healthcare community who favors the GOP so-called plans over the ACA. The GOP is sadly throwing things against the wall to see what sticks, hence the vote-o-rama. They have no overriding coherent guiding principles or ideas for successful health care SYSTEM, just random ideas. And these our best leaders. Sad! as the one at the top would say.
1
@Pvbeachbum. Alas, virtually everything you write is untrue. Either you don't know that and are just parroting what you read on right-wing propaganda sites, or you do know that and are part of them. For example, you write that Cleveland clinic is against ACA. But the CEO is against the repeal. He says: "If you have more patients coming in that are not paid, you're going to have hospitals that are in very deep financial trouble. And this is particularly true of rural hospitals and safety net hospitals, which are very dependent on Medicare and Medicaid for their returns."
Moral of the story: Start reading. Stop lying.
Moral of the story: Start reading. Stop lying.
You forgot to mention how we should supposedly listen to hyperbolic fools like yourself.
Obama has been the source of every evil mankind has ever experienced, if we are to believe the likes of you. But of course Hillary was complicit, if we are to believe our "president." And what's not to believe coming from his mouth .... or tweets?
Please. Enough is enough. "Obamacare," even in its current, and flawed, iteration, isn't killing anyone. The proposed Republican travesties will clearly result in the loss of quality health care for millions, and people WILL DIE as a result. And just wait for the coming turmoil in insurance markets being created by the uncertainty surrounding the secrecy and closed door dealings. That's going to significantly affect EVERYONE in the nation.
But not to worry, there's always Obama (and Hillary) to blame.
Obama has been the source of every evil mankind has ever experienced, if we are to believe the likes of you. But of course Hillary was complicit, if we are to believe our "president." And what's not to believe coming from his mouth .... or tweets?
Please. Enough is enough. "Obamacare," even in its current, and flawed, iteration, isn't killing anyone. The proposed Republican travesties will clearly result in the loss of quality health care for millions, and people WILL DIE as a result. And just wait for the coming turmoil in insurance markets being created by the uncertainty surrounding the secrecy and closed door dealings. That's going to significantly affect EVERYONE in the nation.
But not to worry, there's always Obama (and Hillary) to blame.
In addition to the subsidized health insurance congressional members choose from, members over 65 also receive Medicare. With the very best and most comprehensive health care available to him, Senator McCain returned to vote the party line. His impassioned words will soon fade. Before he voted with all but two fellow republicans to remove health care from milllions, I wish he had turned his Medicare card over and read item #3 - Your card is good wherever you live in the United States.
17
All the proposals they've come up with "would leave millions more people without health insurance and make medical care unaffordable for many low-income and middle-class families."
What's to debate?
Are they going to debate whether it's a good, vote-winning idea to set about doing, on a huge scale, precisely the opposite of the promises that got Trump elected?
What's to debate?
Are they going to debate whether it's a good, vote-winning idea to set about doing, on a huge scale, precisely the opposite of the promises that got Trump elected?
9
"Precisely the opposite of the promises that got Trump elected" is no obstacle, when it's a foregone conclusion that Trump will join them in lying about it.
1
Precisely. What IS to debate?
1
Care is already unaffordable with the government robbing people of payments for insurance they cannot possibly use. The goal is medical care not how many have useless insurance!!!
I confess I simply don't understand why Senator McCain is being lauded for his actions yesterday. He cast a vote to proceed in a process that seconds later he chastised his colleagues for. His hand-wringing reflects a serious lack of character. If he truly believe the things he said his vote would have been no. His actions truly speak louder than his words.
56
Jeff: "He cast a vote to proceed in a process that seconds later he chastised his colleagues for."
That wasn't the end of McCain's hypocrisy. He then voted for the very same legislation -- the BCRA -- that earlier he said didn't meet the requirements for his state and that he would vote against. And no one needs reminding of the fact that after receiving the best care possible paid for by American tax dollars, he left his sickbed very early to fly to Washington to then take health care away from tens of millions.
I'll refrain from relaying my other thoughts about Mr. McCain.
That wasn't the end of McCain's hypocrisy. He then voted for the very same legislation -- the BCRA -- that earlier he said didn't meet the requirements for his state and that he would vote against. And no one needs reminding of the fact that after receiving the best care possible paid for by American tax dollars, he left his sickbed very early to fly to Washington to then take health care away from tens of millions.
I'll refrain from relaying my other thoughts about Mr. McCain.
2
His vote was procedural and slapped McConnell indirectly for ignoring regular order. While I often disagree with McCain on political grounds and also often find him unnecessarily unpleasant, I do think he is correct about the current disregard for FACTS, PROCESS, COMPROMISE. And, I am betting that the Dems willl deny t---- the possibility of making a recess appointment to head the Justice Dept. Another one of those 'pesky' powers that the minority power can invoke. I surely hope they do, even though i DETEST Sessions for his rigid right-wing stances.
Susan: "His vote was procedural..."
What does that even mean? Those were the non-sense that McCain himself used to explain his hypocrisy. But that's just it - they were nonsense and DON'T explain away his hypocrisy.
Susan: " I do think he is correct about the current disregard for FACTS, PROCESS, COMPROMISE. ..."
And he didn't mention that it is the GOP and him that are responsible for the degradation of that regard for facts, process, compromise. Then he went on to LIE and accused Democrats of the same lack of compromise during the construction of the ACA.
Sorry, there's just no excuse for John McCain at this point. If not for him, 22-32 million Americans would have been set free from their health care hostage situation. McCain didn't kill many Viet Cong enemy, but he sure is setting himself up to kill a lot of American citizens.
What does that even mean? Those were the non-sense that McCain himself used to explain his hypocrisy. But that's just it - they were nonsense and DON'T explain away his hypocrisy.
Susan: " I do think he is correct about the current disregard for FACTS, PROCESS, COMPROMISE. ..."
And he didn't mention that it is the GOP and him that are responsible for the degradation of that regard for facts, process, compromise. Then he went on to LIE and accused Democrats of the same lack of compromise during the construction of the ACA.
Sorry, there's just no excuse for John McCain at this point. If not for him, 22-32 million Americans would have been set free from their health care hostage situation. McCain didn't kill many Viet Cong enemy, but he sure is setting himself up to kill a lot of American citizens.
What prevents us from having decent health care provided to ALL Americans is the religious belief of conservatives in Individual choice and in the Beauty of Free Enterprise. This private enterprise, the insurer, has as primary objective to make a profit not to make one healthy. This is why, in most European countries and in Canada, there is no profit involved in assuring that everyone get health care. That assurance is provided by the State directly or by not-for-profit Insurance groups.
As to the Individual Choice, this is a shirking of governance obligation. Can the Individual decide to pay for National Security or to burn coal or not, or to let a child die by not accepting medical care? Again, in most advanced economies, health care is paid for from general government funds, more like Medicare, which is funded to a great extent by the payroll taxes, and NOT by the choices of what risks Individuals want to take.
Single-payer is the obvious choice but the Conservative mantra is an almost impossible barrier to break.
As to the Individual Choice, this is a shirking of governance obligation. Can the Individual decide to pay for National Security or to burn coal or not, or to let a child die by not accepting medical care? Again, in most advanced economies, health care is paid for from general government funds, more like Medicare, which is funded to a great extent by the payroll taxes, and NOT by the choices of what risks Individuals want to take.
Single-payer is the obvious choice but the Conservative mantra is an almost impossible barrier to break.
42
The Republicans infected the health care system years ago. Are you old enough to remember when Blue Cross Blue Shield was non-profit and folks in lower middle class and low income could still afford medical coverage. When there wasn't a shortage of doctors. When lawyers weren't in the pockets of medical groups and hospitals. When doctors didn't retire early because of an overage of paper work.
Republicans don't want medical coverage for all. They just want to keep America on expensive profitable life support.
Republicans don't want medical coverage for all. They just want to keep America on expensive profitable life support.
20
Both parties are to blame. Democrats love to flood the country with new immigrants (Ie, their voter base) who have no chance ever of being able to pay for expensive health insurance premiums so they go immediately on the government Medicaid rolls. So, please give a rest with the partisan bickering. Democrats are equally to blame.
1
It's not just a matter of just doing what they said they would do, repeal Obamacare, it's about doing what's right for the American public. Better coverage at affordable costs should be the mission for all citizens, not lower rates for healthy people or more profit for insurance companies. The curtain has been pulled back and there is no wizard. Hard work is needed by both parties to resolve this extremely complicated issue. The proposed GOP plan doesn't do it and Obamacare falls short. Congress now has the public's full attention. Let's do it right this time!
12
Yes, that is exactly what NEEDS to be done. But you know, just as well as any sentient and informed citizen of this nation knows, that this will NEVER be done as long as the radical ideologues and self-promoters are in charge. The little guys counts for nothing any more, other than as a factor in an electoral calculus designed to shape their voting for a desired outcome. Lying through your teeth - something our current "president" does with greater ease than telling any truth at all - always helps.
The tail is wagging the dog. How about turning it around?
How about starting with desirable goals, like: coverage for all; cost of insurance (say $100 premium per month, or sliding scale), copay amount (say $50 per visit), maximum lifetime deductible (say $20,000), and then figure out what basket of insurance (or menu of choices) can be provided for that level of total premium support.
Probably not as much overage as desired, I'll grant. (Because health services are expensive).
But better than throwing some collection of mandatory services at the wall and seeing how much they cost.
One can't buy a dozen apples for the price of only three; but one can go to the store with money for three apples and see how many apples one can bring home.
Nu?
How about starting with desirable goals, like: coverage for all; cost of insurance (say $100 premium per month, or sliding scale), copay amount (say $50 per visit), maximum lifetime deductible (say $20,000), and then figure out what basket of insurance (or menu of choices) can be provided for that level of total premium support.
Probably not as much overage as desired, I'll grant. (Because health services are expensive).
But better than throwing some collection of mandatory services at the wall and seeing how much they cost.
One can't buy a dozen apples for the price of only three; but one can go to the store with money for three apples and see how many apples one can bring home.
Nu?
4
Historians will not look kindly on this period in American history.
20
They already aren't.
Republicans are not concerned bout backlash in 2018 because they will support the president's effort to collect data on and suppress the votes of those who dare vote Democrat. Neither this Congress nor this Administration care about the people they were elected to represent. They are beholden to wealthy special interests. People who have cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, congenital health issues, mental health disorders, or even break a limb or get into a car accident have moral failings, according to these lawmakers' philosophy. When the rich and powerful rule and suppress the will of the majority, that's called an oligarchy.
27
The one person who came up with a realistic and practical plan to fix the ACA beat Donald Trump by over three million votes.
45
Electoral college has been in effect for 200 years, so enough with the popular vote.
2
@MM
Th EC is not and never has been democratic.
One person (not corporations), one vote.
Th EC is not and never has been democratic.
One person (not corporations), one vote.
3
Just because something was always there, doesn't mean it shouldn't be changed. Unfortunately, not everything stays the same! Aren't we supposed to be living in a democracy?? Does any other country in the world use an Electoral College? Has the population changed over 200 years??? Are the reasons for the Electoral College obsolete?
5
Shout it from the mountain tops, buy a bumper sticker, protest in the streets to clawback the healthcare package given free to our Senators and Representatives. But whatever you do, don't call your Senators or Representative because it's a catch-22. Representative government of the people, for the people, by the people has perished. The great American experiment has come to naught. The plutocracy wins. McCain has six houses, or was it seven (he'd actually lost count).
18
A little honesty, please. Millions will be without insurance because they will choose not to purchase insurance. Nothing is being taken away from them. They will act on a right that the bill provides them.
4
Many will,choose not to buy insurance until,they need it. Then, they will show up at emergency rooms to claim their entitlement.
8
Millions will choose not to purchase because it will much too expensive. If you're looking for honesty, then be honest about the cruelty of the GOP and their so-called replacement bills...
3
Precisely. I propose that those who CHOOSE not to buy health insurance be barred from emergency room care unless they can prove they will cover all costs. Unconscious when you arrive? Well...sorry, but you wanted the FREEDOM to choose not to buy insurance. The law...signed by President Reagan...requires emergency rooms to stabilize patients. Might be time to rethink that.
After delivering a well-articulated and somewhat inspiring speech to his colleagues, Sen. McCain went on to vote "aye" on the first repeal and replace bill based on the "mean" House bill passed in March that was introduced for Senate debate/vote yesterday. (This is the one that the CBO predicted would eliminate health care for 22-23 million people due to catastrophic cuts to Medicaid). This turnabout is no small feat for someone who does NOT rely on the ACA for his own health care. The hypocrisy McCain demonstrated on this issue is clear.
I often have wondered why it appears that the only semi-rational Republicans these days are McCain and Lindsey Graham, who formerly were viewed as extreme right-wing proselytizers. It's obvious that they have not changed their spots one little bit. What a difference an election can make - NONE!
Our citizenry can only hope and pray that the "debate" going on over the next few days on possible GOP alternatives will not garner enough votes for passage on any proposals/amendments offered.
This would create a situation in which both the GOP and Democratic Parties would be forced to work together to amend and improve the existing ACA in ways that benefit all Americans. Perhaps it would be better for the GOP to unveil such changes simply as a "replacement" bill so that they can tout the results as a major victory for their party. And then they can thank the hypocritical Sen. McCain for the outcome.
I often have wondered why it appears that the only semi-rational Republicans these days are McCain and Lindsey Graham, who formerly were viewed as extreme right-wing proselytizers. It's obvious that they have not changed their spots one little bit. What a difference an election can make - NONE!
Our citizenry can only hope and pray that the "debate" going on over the next few days on possible GOP alternatives will not garner enough votes for passage on any proposals/amendments offered.
This would create a situation in which both the GOP and Democratic Parties would be forced to work together to amend and improve the existing ACA in ways that benefit all Americans. Perhaps it would be better for the GOP to unveil such changes simply as a "replacement" bill so that they can tout the results as a major victory for their party. And then they can thank the hypocritical Sen. McCain for the outcome.
18
The American government is showing complete contempt for the American people.
41
The health insurance that is available to Congressmen and women should be available to all. Now that is simple. Unaffordable too in the long run. But where is fairness and decency in having so many people without reasonable insurance, which is essential for access to health care to be meaningful, in the richest country in the world? Congress continues to ignore the poor health grades the USA gets when benchmarked against all other similarly wealthy countries (and even some not so wealthy). This too is a travesty.
25
The idea of debating how many will die and suffer in order to provide wealth for the rich is ludicrous and absurd. Its cruelty should invoke singular agreement. Balance sheet politics is strapping America to a gurney of failure and broken promises.
35
there's not much more to be said about this, "travesty" is good, if congress were students they would be dismissed for lack of effort, and, alas, aptitude; given the assignment (health care) they insist on changing it to something with with they are already familiar (insurance industry protection) and to which they have a prior obligation; no matter the time allowed, they seek more, no matter the latitude granted, they take more, and still, nothing.
of course, if they were employees they might be
charged with theft of services...wait! they are employees!
so what is left to be said is: how much more of this will we the people take?
we should, not only for our own health but the health of the republic, say "NO MORE!" and go about making changes forthwith in selecting, electing and overseeing our representation..
complex maybe (the congress' excuse for doing nothing) but there are steps, clear and possible, more like heavy lifting, difficult not complicated.
first: term limits, say four for the house, six for the senate, publicly funded (money on a date certain, say six months before the vote), no re-election (the bet here is that real citizens will be encouraged to become citizen legislators as the founders intended, "of, by and for," etc,)
so, no more hours phoning for dollars (another excuse for inaction, another soft spot for k street).
next?: schedule (more days on duty), pay (plus expenses for the d,c, home) and benefits (the same as ours.)
just for starters...
of course, if they were employees they might be
charged with theft of services...wait! they are employees!
so what is left to be said is: how much more of this will we the people take?
we should, not only for our own health but the health of the republic, say "NO MORE!" and go about making changes forthwith in selecting, electing and overseeing our representation..
complex maybe (the congress' excuse for doing nothing) but there are steps, clear and possible, more like heavy lifting, difficult not complicated.
first: term limits, say four for the house, six for the senate, publicly funded (money on a date certain, say six months before the vote), no re-election (the bet here is that real citizens will be encouraged to become citizen legislators as the founders intended, "of, by and for," etc,)
so, no more hours phoning for dollars (another excuse for inaction, another soft spot for k street).
next?: schedule (more days on duty), pay (plus expenses for the d,c, home) and benefits (the same as ours.)
just for starters...
26
How can we align political action with common sense? We could elect a smarter congress and/or we can give voice and vote to common good. Health care is a right that needs reform so we can provide and sustain compassion. Is it time to look at our military spending? It also needs reform so we can sustain world order. Is it time to shift tax cuts to tax reform that we invest in wellness and global safety? Is it time to pause and take a summer vacation from tweets and resistance. Our risk is fatigue and irreversible consequences of rash and harsh campaign promises.
9
Those Senators who will vote to pass any version of Trumpcare, like McConnell, just to say they "delivered" on their promise to do so, are cowards, and do not deserve to be Senators representing their constituents.
All of them are supposed to stand up for their constituents first, and not just for their personal, reelection survival and K Street lobbyists. A few of their brave are doing so, and are refusing to be cowed.
They are putting their principles before their personal gain. Accordingly those Senators deserve their constituents' support.
All of them are supposed to stand up for their constituents first, and not just for their personal, reelection survival and K Street lobbyists. A few of their brave are doing so, and are refusing to be cowed.
They are putting their principles before their personal gain. Accordingly those Senators deserve their constituents' support.
30
Astounding that only two Senators would deserve their constituents' support! The others, as you say, are cowards. I would add that their lack of compassion or even basic understanding of the plight of citizens who will be unprotected when facing health crises, makes those Senators immoral to the degree they seem criminally-minded.
Senators Collins and Murkowski seem to be a glimmer of fading sanity within the Republican party.
The contemporary GOP is a party of nihilists and craven opportunists. As proof of that fact: Mitch McConnell, Paul Ryan and President Donald Trump.
The contemporary GOP is a party of nihilists and craven opportunists. As proof of that fact: Mitch McConnell, Paul Ryan and President Donald Trump.
60
And Trump did not waste any time calling out Collins and Murkowski for their "no" votes. He will punish them for daring to be "disloyal" to him. I applaud their courage.
1
I've lost ALL respect for John McCain after he actually voted for the BRCA after making quite the speech about needing to pass health care reform in a responsible, bipartisan way. Also, Trump the Bully scored another point when Caputo of West Virginia also buckled and voted twice with her party.
Time for the Democrats to come out strongly NOW with Bernie for Government-provided Health Care for All to take the wind out of their sails. Grab the national media headlines to show a clear difference in what the parties are striving for. Otherwise, Schumer, Pelosi, et al will keep bumbling their way through this very short debate period and Trumpcare will be passed.
Time for the Democrats to come out strongly NOW with Bernie for Government-provided Health Care for All to take the wind out of their sails. Grab the national media headlines to show a clear difference in what the parties are striving for. Otherwise, Schumer, Pelosi, et al will keep bumbling their way through this very short debate period and Trumpcare will be passed.
35
As we know, McCain did not vote for the bill, he voted for the debate.
IT seems that the USA should have a single payment system through the government for senior citizens and a private system for the rest of the tax payers.
5
With all due respect NYEB, the choice we have is either insurance we can not afford for millions (ACA), or cheaper insurance for less people (the new bill).
Until both the Republicans and Democrats tackle the obscene costs of US healthcare an all fronts (tort reform, salaries. drug prices, price of acute care, of hospitals etc vs the medium living wage and what it costs in other developed countries) and decide to take the profit out of the system with single payer or universal healthcare, this entire debate is about how we rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic.
Until both the Republicans and Democrats tackle the obscene costs of US healthcare an all fronts (tort reform, salaries. drug prices, price of acute care, of hospitals etc vs the medium living wage and what it costs in other developed countries) and decide to take the profit out of the system with single payer or universal healthcare, this entire debate is about how we rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic.
34
Well the cost of medical school and the many years it takes to become a doctor is a factor in this equation. Someone I know who is dear to me will end up with approximately $400,000 in loans.
So if salaries are cut then these loans should be forgiven. Otherwise what is your solution? I'm seriously interested. Thanks.
So if salaries are cut then these loans should be forgiven. Otherwise what is your solution? I'm seriously interested. Thanks.
4
Yeah yeah medical school costs. Take a $250,000 doctors salary and multiple times a 40 year career and that is $10 million ...so the loans are easily payable. Enough with that old canard.
1
Not a whole lot of thinking is required. The rest of the Western world figured this out decades ago.
1
Many of these senators will not live to see the damage, pain, and suffering they cause.
21
The Senate healthcare bill debacle is symptomatic of both the Republican party in disarray and rudderless, and out of sync with the public mood as well.
20
Schumer and Pelosi just did a 180 turnaround. So who was out of sync with the public?
2
Contacting your Members of Congress does help to focus their attention. They can be reached via phone or email through their congressional webpages. Every senator and representative has one. Explain your objections to their bills. Add how theit passage will impact you if applicable. Close by indicating the consequences if they don't listen to your wishes (voting for their opponents, donating to their opponents and/or the Democrats, etc.).
17
Unfortunately, we in Pennsylvania have an elitist Republican senator who refuses to lower himself by holding town halls or by answering phone calls. As long as the Koch brothers keep supporting Pat Toomey, he feels no need to actually meet or speak with any of his actual constituents. I suspect Toomey isn't the only Republican politician hiding from the people who voted him in.
1
I'm not the first person to say this, but it bears repeating. If members of the House and Senate were entitled only to the same heath care system they want to foist on us, no more, no less, this fight would be over. To members of the House and Senate, I implore you, pretend that you and your family will have to live under the health care system you approve and be guided by that.
70
Sorry but they can't conservatives suffer from an inability to understand empathy or express it. It is part of what makes them conservatives to begin with.
I was hoping that the Senators of 2017 would act more for the Country than just to make look the other party bad. This is what the two party system is giving us. Healthcare laws are just the tip of the iceberg of our problems. Health Care expenses account for about 20% of our economy and our Senate cannot work together to come up with a workable plan to ensure that we stay solvent while we provide the best possible Health Care for our people. This includes the President of the Republicans.
After Elections normally Presidents would try to work with both parties, but President Trump is still in Election mode where Democrats are becoming irrelevant hence they oppose any plans where they are not a party to. In my opinion it started with when Mitch McConnell became the leader of the Senate and vowed to make President Obama a one term President. He made sure that the President’s agenda just got a ‘no’ for an answer. In the last year of his Presidency no hearings were scheduled for Judge Merrick Garland’s nomination for the Supreme Courts.
In order to fix any of these issues, the Senate must come together and so does the House. The only way to do it would be to declare Gerrymandering of Congressional districts unlawful; just use zip codes to ensure that we have appropriate nominations of all the people in the district.
Our history has a baggage that shows up in healthcare debate, we have to discuss it openly and fix the underlying issues in order to fix Healthcare for all.
After Elections normally Presidents would try to work with both parties, but President Trump is still in Election mode where Democrats are becoming irrelevant hence they oppose any plans where they are not a party to. In my opinion it started with when Mitch McConnell became the leader of the Senate and vowed to make President Obama a one term President. He made sure that the President’s agenda just got a ‘no’ for an answer. In the last year of his Presidency no hearings were scheduled for Judge Merrick Garland’s nomination for the Supreme Courts.
In order to fix any of these issues, the Senate must come together and so does the House. The only way to do it would be to declare Gerrymandering of Congressional districts unlawful; just use zip codes to ensure that we have appropriate nominations of all the people in the district.
Our history has a baggage that shows up in healthcare debate, we have to discuss it openly and fix the underlying issues in order to fix Healthcare for all.
17
McConnell is being extremely disingenuous in that the very premise of the bill he keeps repeating is an out and out lie. The ACA, "Obamacare" is not collapsing. It is not failing. Whatever difficulties the program is having is entirely due to deliberate brazen GOP sabotage efforts- both by refusing the Medicare expansion, and by destabilizing the insurance markets through Trump's threats, and the AHCA legislation.
99
What Republicans are trying to do with health care is completely in character and predictable. I'm past yelling; I want someone to tell me how they keep winning elections. They will keep doing what they have been doing to us since 1980 until voters stop them, and I'm not holding my breath.
53
This is how the GOP keeps "winning" elections. It's called using gaming the system using vote suppression/voter disenfranchisement tactics applied: Their list: 1-Gut key provisions of the Voting Rights Act; 2-Aggressively redistrict and gerrymander districts to limit Democrats winning seats (Operation Red Map) even when Dems gain more votes; 3-Pass onerous voter ID rules targeting poor, elderly, minority voters; 4-Close tens of thousands of polling sites and reduce poll hours and days; 5-Send voters to the wrong places to vote; 6-Install fewer and broken/non-functioning machines in Dem-leaning districts; 7-Underfund districts, run out of ballots; 8-Practice outright voter intimidation and vote caging; 9-Shunt voters to provisional ballots without proof they will be counted; 10-Rely on voting software/machines so old they can easily be hacked to flip, lose votes; 11-Purge 1.1+ million mostly minority voters from rolls in GOP-controlled states through "Operation Crosscheck” (Kevin Kobach); 12-Veto measures that would enroll millions when they apply for, renew their drivers license; 13-Legalize methods to prevent votes from being tracked, fail to secure votes, and keep counting methods secret. 14-Conduct law suits to contest a recount or actual results in court. 15-Refuse to seriously investigate Russian-hacking validated by 17 intel agencies now known to have penetrated 39 states' voting systems.
77
Perhaps the supreme court's Citizens United ruling changed the face of US politics 7 years ago. It has legitimized the Koch brothers and other sources of "Dark Money" to fund politics in a way not done before. Those who spend the most increase their chances of winning exponentially. The GOP is the party of corporate America!
40
Because of the racism and bigotry that is the cornerstone of the modern Republican party, that's how.
How can Sen. McCain give such a fine speech and then hours later vote in favor of the very bill that he said he would never vote for? Sadly, this is his history - straight talk but party votes.
The vote to repeal the ACA is not a standard vote. This is one with an immediate, devastating consequence for tens of millions of Americans, including avoidable deaths, suffering, anxiety and financial hardship.
In no way was the legislative process normal nor did it meet Senate standards. It was drafted secretly by a handful of white male Republicans with no hearings, no witnesses, no committee meetings, no mark ups, and until now no debate, and is historically one of the most unpopular bills ever written. No Democratic senators were permitted any opportunity to even see the bill, although they represent far far more citizens than the Republican ones.
This repeal, despite its enormous human cost and its impact on one sixth of the national economy, was drafted in secrecy and is being rushed through. Every senator will be held accountable for his or her vote - by their constituents, by all citizens of the country, and by God.
There are higher laws by McConnell, Ryan, Trump and the Republicans will be judged. Do no harm. Thou shalt not kill. Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me.
The vote to repeal the ACA is not a standard vote. This is one with an immediate, devastating consequence for tens of millions of Americans, including avoidable deaths, suffering, anxiety and financial hardship.
In no way was the legislative process normal nor did it meet Senate standards. It was drafted secretly by a handful of white male Republicans with no hearings, no witnesses, no committee meetings, no mark ups, and until now no debate, and is historically one of the most unpopular bills ever written. No Democratic senators were permitted any opportunity to even see the bill, although they represent far far more citizens than the Republican ones.
This repeal, despite its enormous human cost and its impact on one sixth of the national economy, was drafted in secrecy and is being rushed through. Every senator will be held accountable for his or her vote - by their constituents, by all citizens of the country, and by God.
There are higher laws by McConnell, Ryan, Trump and the Republicans will be judged. Do no harm. Thou shalt not kill. Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me.
62
In the past years, there actually has been a law covering pre-existing conditions; it was called COBRA. Where if you had medical coverage, by an employer, and then lost it, you could continue the coverage. And if you always had continuous coverage, no health insurer could deny you your medical treatments. No matter what pre-existing conditions that you had.
I was laid off in 2012, I used COBRA. Then, I started my own business, and got coverage with my business.
Of course, in both instances, "I" had to pay the premiums. Which is what is apparently abhorrent to both Democrats AND Republicans.
The Government will Pay All the Bills.
I'm 63 years old, now, and I have no health insurance. After the Obamacare went into effect, it made no sense to me.
Which is fine, since unlike most 63 year olds I don't have 10 Prescriptions.
I just want freedom; to choose my own course, in life. And I want health insurance, to cover any unfortunate event.
Obamacare and the Repub bill is NOT that.
We need to go back to a pre-Medicare, 1965, free market. Where prices are negotiated, on the market.
About 5% of medical care is emergent; you're on the way, to the hospital, comatose.
Most health care is deliberative. You're diabetic, you need this treatment. You're John McCain, with brain cancer. You're diagnosed with Prostate cancer.
You have plenty of time, to decide on your treatment options.
If we had a free market, in health care, the costs would come down. But we don't.
I was laid off in 2012, I used COBRA. Then, I started my own business, and got coverage with my business.
Of course, in both instances, "I" had to pay the premiums. Which is what is apparently abhorrent to both Democrats AND Republicans.
The Government will Pay All the Bills.
I'm 63 years old, now, and I have no health insurance. After the Obamacare went into effect, it made no sense to me.
Which is fine, since unlike most 63 year olds I don't have 10 Prescriptions.
I just want freedom; to choose my own course, in life. And I want health insurance, to cover any unfortunate event.
Obamacare and the Repub bill is NOT that.
We need to go back to a pre-Medicare, 1965, free market. Where prices are negotiated, on the market.
About 5% of medical care is emergent; you're on the way, to the hospital, comatose.
Most health care is deliberative. You're diabetic, you need this treatment. You're John McCain, with brain cancer. You're diagnosed with Prostate cancer.
You have plenty of time, to decide on your treatment options.
If we had a free market, in health care, the costs would come down. But we don't.
2
just want freedom; to choose my own course, in life. And I want health insurance, to cover any unfortunate event.
Consider the possibility that those two wants are mutually exclusive.
We need to go back to a pre-Medicare, 1965, free market. Where prices are negotiated, on the market.
Mmmh. What negotiating power would individuals have against gigantic corporations? Are prices really going to come down to pre-1965 levels (adjusted for inflation -- part of which, though, was caused by soaring health care costs) or are insurance companies and health care providers going to control prices and give you this choice: "Pay our premiums and all our charges or get no health insurance and no treatment. Have a nice life."
If you want X (health care system) to return to 1965, most of A through Z also have to go back. The whole society has to regress to what it was in the supposed good ol' days because the changes in health care are reflective of overall changing American opinion the last half century. Whatever you like in American society that has been added or changed since 1965 will likely also be lost, except there will still be 325 million residents, not 194 million, the infrastructure of the country will still be crumbling, not modernizing, and people will still be losing their jobs (and health insurance) to automation and globalization. If you want to stop or reverse progress, you will need a government like N. Korea's or Venezuela's. Anyone ready to make that deal?
Consider the possibility that those two wants are mutually exclusive.
We need to go back to a pre-Medicare, 1965, free market. Where prices are negotiated, on the market.
Mmmh. What negotiating power would individuals have against gigantic corporations? Are prices really going to come down to pre-1965 levels (adjusted for inflation -- part of which, though, was caused by soaring health care costs) or are insurance companies and health care providers going to control prices and give you this choice: "Pay our premiums and all our charges or get no health insurance and no treatment. Have a nice life."
If you want X (health care system) to return to 1965, most of A through Z also have to go back. The whole society has to regress to what it was in the supposed good ol' days because the changes in health care are reflective of overall changing American opinion the last half century. Whatever you like in American society that has been added or changed since 1965 will likely also be lost, except there will still be 325 million residents, not 194 million, the infrastructure of the country will still be crumbling, not modernizing, and people will still be losing their jobs (and health insurance) to automation and globalization. If you want to stop or reverse progress, you will need a government like N. Korea's or Venezuela's. Anyone ready to make that deal?
20
At 63 years old, good luck trying to purchase a health care policy for anything even remotely affordable. Freedom, is not a choice whether to purchase health care or not, like in most other civilized nations, freedom is not having to worry coverage at all because health care is a right enjoyed by all citizens.
3
What happens in your free market world when you develop brain cancer requiring a 6 hour surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation costing $100,000 and you don't have the money to pay. Sorry to break the bad news to you but the free market will not make these services affordable. That's why we have insurance or better yet a one payor system, which is nothing more than insurance for all that spreads the risk across the whole population.
Good luck to you.
Good luck to you.
2
Republicans are like chickens panicked by the shadow of a hawk overhead. That shadow is Medicare for All. They have spent the last four months proving to the American people that they have no better plan than the Affordable Care Act and the reason being because they want to keep private insurance companies in control and highly profitable with minimal regulation (that "market magic" that worked so well before the ACA.) Thus, they will patch together some inscrutable, unworkable monstrosity with amendments that get all the Republican votes they need and ram it through both Senate and House in a week. When you're running from a hawk, better take cover quickly.
9
Democrats would do better if they did not constantly reiterate that the Republican plan would cut taxes on the wealthy, true though that may be. It is far better to state the facts: Republicans simply do not want a health care plan at all. They do not believe that health care is a human right. They do not think that government should help people. They wouldn't mind if people without insurance died in the streets
68
Excellent points: but also mention why the Republicans are so rapid in support of this deadly measure--it's to set up an overhaul of the tax system that will provide even more tax cuts to corporate America--especially so-called health insurers, big pharma, Wall Streeters, big oil and others who stand to benefit.
24
Democrats will be able to "stop the madness" when the millennials finally decide that they need to vote!
The only encouraging aspect of this mess is that 71% of the people want both sides to collaborate to fashion a workable healthcare solution -- that is, if the polls are accurate, which, after the recent election, hardly is a given.
There's so much to do during this Congress, with a president who calls himself a Republican. Regulation, taxes, infrastructure, immigration, national security and defense ... more than normally could be accomplished by two successive congresses that had sufficient consensus to move forward. John McCain speaks palpably more sense with brain cancer than the rest do without.
What wild flights of drug-induced delirium cause fifty-plus-one to opt to repeal something without knowing with what they'll eventually replace it? Why did this need to be such a grandstanding issue to begin with? All they needed to do was leave it alone and an ACA that may provide health insurance for the first time in the lives of millions of our poorest, but ALSO causes millions of middle class Americans to pay retail for their healthcare given stratospheric levels of deductibles and co-pays ... would just implode from its dysfunctional design. The best thing Republicans could have done was get ON with other pressing issues and let this Democratic albatross continue to incrementally destroy the Democratic Party.
Mitch McConnell and almost the entire Senate Republican leadership needs to retire. Do America an immense favor: just go fishin' ... for the rest of your lives.
There's so much to do during this Congress, with a president who calls himself a Republican. Regulation, taxes, infrastructure, immigration, national security and defense ... more than normally could be accomplished by two successive congresses that had sufficient consensus to move forward. John McCain speaks palpably more sense with brain cancer than the rest do without.
What wild flights of drug-induced delirium cause fifty-plus-one to opt to repeal something without knowing with what they'll eventually replace it? Why did this need to be such a grandstanding issue to begin with? All they needed to do was leave it alone and an ACA that may provide health insurance for the first time in the lives of millions of our poorest, but ALSO causes millions of middle class Americans to pay retail for their healthcare given stratospheric levels of deductibles and co-pays ... would just implode from its dysfunctional design. The best thing Republicans could have done was get ON with other pressing issues and let this Democratic albatross continue to incrementally destroy the Democratic Party.
Mitch McConnell and almost the entire Senate Republican leadership needs to retire. Do America an immense favor: just go fishin' ... for the rest of your lives.
4
For a change, I agree with you although what most Americans want is for the problems with the ACA - some of them created by the Republicans - to be fixed.
19
Most people who got medical insurance through the ACA are paying less than if they purchased it prior to the passage of the ACA.
25
But Richard, back in late January and early February you were commenting daily that Trump was going to make sure there was a good health care bill and would never sign something into law that was not an improvement over the ACA.
He keeps saying we're all going to have beautiful healthcare at $12 per month until one is 70 years old.
I'm a self-employed middle aged small business person who relies on the ACA. People like you voted for Trump because he said he was going to make insurance better, lower premiums and deductibles. I didn't believe him because as someone who grew up in NY in the 70's it was clear to me that he was an incompetent person who was only interested in tabloid fame. For the record, he paid a 10 million dollar fine for money laundering thru his casino (which he ran into the ground).
People like you voted for Trump and now people like me are paying the price. At 55 I'm going to be in trouble if Trump and Price let the system collapse. I can afford the premiums currently but not if they sky rocket to 5-10k per month. At 55 I have pre-existing conditions as a result of being alive! So you tell me, Mr Trump supporter, why isn't Trump doing what he said he was going to do. Where's his input into ACA reform? Where is my beautiful $12 per month comprehensive health insurance plan?
He keeps saying we're all going to have beautiful healthcare at $12 per month until one is 70 years old.
I'm a self-employed middle aged small business person who relies on the ACA. People like you voted for Trump because he said he was going to make insurance better, lower premiums and deductibles. I didn't believe him because as someone who grew up in NY in the 70's it was clear to me that he was an incompetent person who was only interested in tabloid fame. For the record, he paid a 10 million dollar fine for money laundering thru his casino (which he ran into the ground).
People like you voted for Trump and now people like me are paying the price. At 55 I'm going to be in trouble if Trump and Price let the system collapse. I can afford the premiums currently but not if they sky rocket to 5-10k per month. At 55 I have pre-existing conditions as a result of being alive! So you tell me, Mr Trump supporter, why isn't Trump doing what he said he was going to do. Where's his input into ACA reform? Where is my beautiful $12 per month comprehensive health insurance plan?
11
Hero: a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. Not necessarily someone who is thinking straight or doing the right thing today.
5
Good point and there is a a reason for that: "thinking straight or doing the right thing" - this is looked at a weakness in a world where winner takes all. Just look at the banking industry - not one major ceo of the company that orchestrated the whole fiasco has gone to prison. What message do you send to the public - no accountability. Sad times we are living in.
"Republicans seem oblivious to those concerns, and to the danger that voters who lose access to health care could retaliate at the ballot box in the 2018 and 2020 elections."
Whatever you think of the merits of repeal, it's pretty clear that these warnings of voter retaliation are simply overblown. The main difference between these proposals and Obamacare is the resumption of Federal / State cost sharing to the same 50/50 level that has existed since the 1960's. That seems very reasonable.
But even if you objected, consider those hurt by the Medicaid reform. By definition, they all have income < 138% of FPL - about $15,000. 59% are minorities. 60% are under 29 years old. And because 19 red states declined Medicaid expansion, most of those who could lose Medicaid are in blue states. This group - young, poor, minority and mostly living in blue states simply were very unlikely to vote Republican anyway. So how concerned should Republicans really be ?
In essence, the Medicaid cuts (whose beneficiaries favor Dems) is really the reflection of the $741 bn in Medicare cuts that Obama used to finance Obamacare. Unlike Medicaid, most elderly Medicare beneficiaries vote Republican. So Dems convinced themselves that they didn't have much to lose politically and could ignore voter sentiment.
Sound familiar ?
Whatever you think of the merits of repeal, it's pretty clear that these warnings of voter retaliation are simply overblown. The main difference between these proposals and Obamacare is the resumption of Federal / State cost sharing to the same 50/50 level that has existed since the 1960's. That seems very reasonable.
But even if you objected, consider those hurt by the Medicaid reform. By definition, they all have income < 138% of FPL - about $15,000. 59% are minorities. 60% are under 29 years old. And because 19 red states declined Medicaid expansion, most of those who could lose Medicaid are in blue states. This group - young, poor, minority and mostly living in blue states simply were very unlikely to vote Republican anyway. So how concerned should Republicans really be ?
In essence, the Medicaid cuts (whose beneficiaries favor Dems) is really the reflection of the $741 bn in Medicare cuts that Obama used to finance Obamacare. Unlike Medicaid, most elderly Medicare beneficiaries vote Republican. So Dems convinced themselves that they didn't have much to lose politically and could ignore voter sentiment.
Sound familiar ?
The Medicaid cuts will affect more than the expansion states, though. Medicaid is the primary payer for the elderly in long-term care in nursing homes, including many middle-class patients whose families' savings get spent down in no time. With an aging Baby Boomer population, this will be amplified across all socioeconomic strata--and the entire political spectrum.
18
The $741 Billion to which you refer were *savings* not cuts. Hospitals agreed to lower payments for Medicare services because the ACA meant they would be receive payments for treatment of patients that they had previously not received.
7
I would like to see a cite supporting your claim that most people on Medicare vote Republican.
I am a Navy veteran ('65-"69) and a retired federal prosecuting attorney. I have lived in Arizona since 1972 and have been one of John McCain's constituents since 1982, when he was first elected to the House of Representatives.
Since that time I have attended, and questioned him at many of his town hall meetings. I also witnessed his rude, insensitive, and condescending manner to many constituents with whom he disagreed.
I wrote dozens of letters to Senator McCain over the past 35 years. I always began each letter with a brief summary of my naval service. I thought, mistakenly, it would enhance the prospect of me getting a response. Regrettably, neither he nor staff ever responded.
Nonetheless, while I listened to his speech today, I was initially impressed. For it was the first time in 35 years that he had ever given a speech that, to me, was remotely close to being statesman-like. Of course that thought soon evaporated, when it was announced that he had cast the deciding 50th vote to seal #45's "Win" with tie breaker Pence.
Since that time I have attended, and questioned him at many of his town hall meetings. I also witnessed his rude, insensitive, and condescending manner to many constituents with whom he disagreed.
I wrote dozens of letters to Senator McCain over the past 35 years. I always began each letter with a brief summary of my naval service. I thought, mistakenly, it would enhance the prospect of me getting a response. Regrettably, neither he nor staff ever responded.
Nonetheless, while I listened to his speech today, I was initially impressed. For it was the first time in 35 years that he had ever given a speech that, to me, was remotely close to being statesman-like. Of course that thought soon evaporated, when it was announced that he had cast the deciding 50th vote to seal #45's "Win" with tie breaker Pence.
94
He gets the best health care available. You would think he'd be just a little bit empathetic. Evidently, not.
42
I had visions of him riding into town, full of newly found wisdom and contrition after what he's gone through. I even conjured up a scene with his doctor, who gave him some sage advice about the meaning of health insurance. I think I have watched one too many Jimmy Stewart movies.
44
John McCain, having graduated last in his class at the Naval Academy is a good example of the kind of Senator one gets as a result.
Indeed, I lost all respect for him at a town hall meeting in Phoenix shortly after the Sandy Hook massacre. In attendance that day, and sitting directly in front of me, was a woman who survived the Gabby Giffords' shooting and a woman whose son was murdered at the Aurora theater shooting.
I will never forget McCain's response to their question (if he would support the pending legislation that would require background checks and ban assault weapons) which was simply "I'm gonna' give you some straight talk, it's not gonna pass." No sympathy, no kind words, nothing remotely close of what is expected of an elected public servant.
Indeed, I lost all respect for him at a town hall meeting in Phoenix shortly after the Sandy Hook massacre. In attendance that day, and sitting directly in front of me, was a woman who survived the Gabby Giffords' shooting and a woman whose son was murdered at the Aurora theater shooting.
I will never forget McCain's response to their question (if he would support the pending legislation that would require background checks and ban assault weapons) which was simply "I'm gonna' give you some straight talk, it's not gonna pass." No sympathy, no kind words, nothing remotely close of what is expected of an elected public servant.
194
Every Senator has taxpayer-funded health care. Yet all but two Republican Senators want to cancel publicly-funded health care for at least 22 million fellow Americans.
These Senators should either surrender taxpayer paid health care or resign.
These Senators should either surrender taxpayer paid health care or resign.
116
I can only hope that if the Republicans are successful in repealing the ACA that the voting public does not forget this travesty in 2018 and 2020. My fear is that America has been shown to have a short memory and that the Republicans may not pay a penalty in the upcoming elections.....
11