Another bumper sticker campaign promise he'll push regardless of the consequences. Trump doesn't care about governance only about the next election. And Mulvaney should be ostracized for his reactionary and ill conceived ideas. I don't know what century Mr. Mulvaney is living in his head but it isn't the 21st.. or even the 20th.
5
The much better plan being nothing, if the plutocrats (Trump's true base) get this one pulled off then social security goes next. After that, find certain amendments to the constitution unconstitutional and bring back the founders' original intent by restoring chattel slavery.
6
This is a result of Trump (a la Mitch McConnell) successfully packing the courts,up to the top, with conservative and even partisan Republican judges. Frustrated by not being able to railroad stuff through Congress, the GOP embarked on a strategy to control the judiciary and thus get their way by pseudo-legislation: borderline legal interpretations of existing law that are essentially new legislation end-arounds of Congress.
Especially with the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh, Trump and Mulvaney think they can now guarantee wins if they can manage to get cases bumped up to the Supreme Court. With a bunch of new hard right district court judges funneling cases upwards.
Plus, I am getting sick of Trump supporters cherry picking which promises they will laud him for keeping (even faux keeping), and which ones they don't mind him breaking. The Wall; but Mexico doesn't have to pay for it. More jobs: but in reality, no more than Obama, while unnecessarily flooding the rich with cash and exploding the national debt and deficit. Protect Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security; not only are they endangered by exploding the deficit and debt, but he's explicitly proposing cuts of hundreds of billions of dollars. Now repeal Obamacare, but with no replace, after crippling it to create the very instability Republicans accused it of generating.
It saddens me to realize how many millions of suckers there are in America. Shouldn't be surprised, I guess; there's one born every minute.
9
When Trump said way back at the beginning of his administration he didn’t realize how complicated health care was, I guess he really meant it. He doesn’t know and even now doesn’t care. Doesn’t care millions would be left with out insurance. That’s fine to him and his group they have great health care and all of us pay for it. Aren’t we just so understanding. They finally get the choice. They live, we well we have opioids. Lucky us. Oh no we won’t be able to afford them.
6
It is becoming obvious that Trump hates Blacks and the proof is that he has been and will continue to work towards reversing everything that the Obama administration created. He will not have better ideas and create new programs but will for some reason he will get the support of his followers not matter what. Knowing this it becomes very apparent that the Republicans do not respect Blacks for anything more than their sports abilities. If Obama had ben a White taking the exact same approach Trump would not have gone after the Democrat’s programs to the same degree. Hypocrisy seems to dominate the focus of the Republican party today. They used to be the ones who would reduce the national debt and improve the government, but they have not!
9
As in just about anything Trump tries, he always manages to fail his way out of a given situation by declaring victory at some random point and walking away.
4
If Trump and the GOP actually have a plan that is better than the ACA, they should bring it forward now and pass it through Congress, not wait for the possibility SCOTUS will overturn it. But Trump didnt have such a plan during his camoaign, when he claimed he did. They didnt have such a plan in 2017 when they moved to overturn the ACA and couldnt. They dont have anythng positive to offer, just negative.
35
@gretab
As Trump said “Who knew that health insurance was so hard?” Well Obama knew it was hard - that’s why he and he team brought in experts and worked on it for a long time before they brought it to Congress.
Trump and his band have no idea and don’t care what Obamacare does and how many real people will be hurt. I’m sure Trump will take no responsibility for this foolish move - and the Trumpsters will go right along with him, many to their own and their family’s detriment. The people who will not be hurt - Trump and his family, Republicans in Congress and their families, members of the Trump Administration and their families and the wealthy. I guess that’s all that matters to them.
9
Trump’s brand of leadership: manufacture an emergency to force people to do your bidding. Also known as extortion.
10
America! It’s where you can shout in public you are committing a crime or plan to. The crime happens yet there is no consequence.
So if you going to do a crime. Make sure to plan accordingly and let everyone know! Wink wink nudge nudge. But don’t actually do it even though it benefits you directly when it occurs! The wink wink nudge nudge is just free speech. So it’s all good!
4
You know what you don't hear any more?........the wisdom of the American voter.
6
This sounds like yet another end run around congress. Soon Trump will try to eliminate congress; just think of the savings.
The Republican health plan will come out at the same time as Jared Kushner's Middle East peace plan. Good luck, Americans.
13
Let the GOP have the glory of demolishing Obamacare. Repeal voters can see the benefits of their elective wisdome. Non-voters can see the benefits of their stays at home. Another Congress can offer a better alternative. Sometimes the only way to learn about hot stove risk is to touch one.
7
Health care in a federally unprotected medical insurance marketplace replicates the predatory nature of the Trump presidency. Trump preys on the weak amongst us, which describes anyone without unlimited means in this country. The only possible silver lining in his on-going attempt to bring down the ACA and its protections against pre-existing conditions is that it’s surely to blunt his self-described “victory” in connection to the Mueller report and set in stone for Democrats the Trump-as-cruel message for next year.
8
a prediction: the Repubs will come up with a plan, when pushed to shove, and it will look unseemly like the ACA (Obamacare) but will be renamed "Trumpcare!" it's the NAME that gives the impetus. NOT the state of health in the U.S., in keeping with branding or, should we say, rebranding of everything Obama. BTW, if you look at the historicity of the ACA you will find that it originally was a Repub plan back in the 1980's-90''s, but Hillary glommed in on it and the Repubs reversed course. imagine that...
7
Trump, Feb 2017, “nobody knew that health care could be so complicated” ... that was the last time they tried - and failed - to come up with an alternative plan to the ACA.
How is now any different?
6
Trump is still irrationally obsessed with Obama.
9
@augusta nimmo
His entire policy agenda is revenge for the 2011 WHCD.
6
@augusta nimmo
That’s because he has such short fingers and Obama’s hands are so long and elegant.
Remember donnie was called the short fingered vulgarian back in the 80s and 90s by his enemies.
6
He's emboldened, mistakenly, by the positive outcome he just got from his handpicked obfuscator attorney general. As if that means anything from a guy who covered up Iran Contra and the Iraq War. NYT don't trust the scam summary of the report and demand others reject it too!
8
Politicians that continue to hate President Obama and willing to punish and hurt Americans just to satisfy their anger against him. These individuals are disgusting, vile and heinous. Mr. Mulvaney, Mr. Trump and their associates should spend some time in the shoes of those people who will suffer when their insurance is gone. They wouldn't last ten seconds.
6
I personally have a better place in mind for them.
4
The Republican Party has become a national emergency again. and again and again. When are we ever going to learn, and vote?
7
Repeal ... and REPLACE WITH WHAT?
Hey dummies, come up with a plan!
2
@Midwest Moderate - the way the current Republican Party has been operating is part of the problem. They're caught between addiction to money from some libertarian billionaire families and the tendency of those same families to fund GOP primary challengers as long as the challenger can foam at the mouth when they hear "tax".
So they're backing unpopular policies because their donors demand it. They all signed a pledge to Grover Norquist a while back - promising they'd not use their Congressional power to raise funds, even if the funds were necessary. They've gone rigid with support for pressure from wealthy people who, face it, don't care if our infrastructure is functional, our people get healthcare whether they have a job or not...
So Obamacare raised taxes on the wealthiest. This cannot be tolerated by the GOP's big suppliers of dark money. And the GOP will lose elections without that money, since they're standing against policies favored by the majority of Americans in so many areas.
4
BLUEWAVE 2018 Democrat déjà vu
2020.
Best way for republicans to LOSE.
Keep pressing on taking away things even his moron bigoted supporters depend on like health care and special Olympic funding.
So much winning.
6
Let's get serious, America. The only pre-existing condition concerning Republicans is wealth. That's their socialism. That will be protected at all cost. Your health, please, don't make me laugh . . .
6
Yes!!!! Let that buffoon destroy ACA that much of his base relies upon for health care. Then when they realize what has happened to them and who did it....then we'll be ready for the 2020 vote.
3
Apparently, this nation has changed its name to the United Base of America.
4
Trump says he has a better plan to replace the ACA. If this is true, then why take the step to have the courts nullify the ACA. He should simply propose the new legislation and, since it's better, the House and Senate will vote to approve it. Meanwhile, millions of people aren't out of insurance coverage, the country isn't wrapped in angst, and the courts can spend their valuable time doing something else.
But I doubt he's thought of this because if he had, we'd hear about it. The truth is, he has no better plan.
11
The one silver lining to this is if SCOTUS invalidates ACA, it will open the stage for Medicare-for-all.
Americans won’t stand for another broken, piecemeal, private-insurance-centered healthcare system.
7
The continued obsession of Trump with Obamacare has puzzled all of us, and as usual we look for a logical explanation. To me this makes sense largely as one person only (Trump) making all decisions for this administration, and that largely on the basis of the last person he talked to. Mulvaney has a long history of frantic activity against Obamacare (as is true of most recent Republican congresspeople) and this indicates that he is not someone who can change his mind. Trump does not take counsel from the many Repubs who know this is a terrible political move. Now that our single leader has made up his mind, this will be the focus of all administration efforts up to the election. This is clearly not possible to explain as a nod to the Trump base.
6
The primary reason Trump opposes Obamacare is his disdain and jealousy of his Presidential predecessor.
If everyone began calling that law Trumpcare, he would embrace it as if it was an American flag.
8
Every Democrat in the country, and almost every Republican in the country, realizes that Trump's destruction of The Affordable Care Act would be a "lose/lose" situation for Trump - and a "lose/lose" situation for the Republican Party.
Most of the 21 million Americans that are on ObamaCare, voted for Trump.
Mulvaney was said to be a very astute politician.
How could he be so stupid, as to sabotage Trump's re-election campaign?
And how could he be so stupid, as to sabotage the Republican's chance for keeping control of the Senate?
Mulvaney has never acted self destructive before.
The press needs to spend a lot more time talking to Mulvaney, to get a better idea as to just why he's doing this.
3
Lively presidential cabinet discussions do not ultimately involve side-taking because as Truman said, "The Buck Stops Here" . America benefits from such candid discussions.
2
The mad clown is at it again in a maniacal drive to repeal health care for millions of people. The republicans do not have any kind of workable plan except to keep profits flowing to drug companies and to maintain the status quo of a for profit medical system.
Let them commit political suicide so we can be rid of Trump once and for all.
7
I don't think Trump really cares what he champions. All that he wants to do is create drama and be the focus of news.
Just think if he actually promoted a sensible policy.
That would not get him the headlines he thrives on.
So, now that Mueller report is behind him (or so he thinks), he wants to engineer another outrage to keep the focus on himself.
And when this move fades from people's minds, he will be ready to pronounce another outrageous idea. Anything for limelight.
8
I have nothing but contempt for people who critique something without having a better idea.
4
" . . . we’ll have a plan that is far better than Obamacare,” he [Trump] said."
For sure, and it's called the YOYO plan.
(Read: You're On Your Own.)
10
The new plan is actually “no plan”. Kind of like a “death panel” without all the details. So we can use all the $$$ saved to send back to the .1%. AGAIN!
4
@Lisa, before ACA, newspapers and media were rife with coverage how the insurance companies were the real death panels!
1
Let's call this what it is......people who are evil and vindictive, who believe in nothing.
History will judge them harshly.......yet they care not!
4
Another example of Trump's ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. He's just had a big win from Mueller, and he shoots himself in the foot with a pledge to take health care away from millions. His idiocy, and his cruelty, know no bounds.
8
Trump’s base may well want to end Obamacare, just because, but I sincerely doubt they wish to give up insurance that protects those with preexisting conditions, allows their young adult children to be covered under their policies, and has, in many states, expanded Medicare they need, and for what — a non-existent alternative that republicans have not been able to put together in what, 10 years? When was the last time anyone asked them?
3
@jane, I have trouble understanding the thinking of his base, many of whom are lower middle class, and who benefit from Obamacare or Medicaid, that they are okay with this latest assault on them. How have they benefited from any of his policies?
2
If Trump had a plan to effectively replace the Affordable Care Act, he would allow that legislation end the Act. He doesn't, and he's about to throw out the Act through the courts - and he doesn't care. He knows that he doesn't have to.
While praising the intelligence of the American electorate, he secretly knows that they can be led around like a bulls with nose rings - only instead of bull rings, he uses their beliefs and prejudices to lead them wherever he wants.
If DJT doesn't destroy our fragile democracy, he has published the blueprint and playbook for some other demagogue to do it later. If a democracy like America's is going to exist, there will have to be a paradigm shift in human thought throughout the world.
In the near future, we will program the human mind in the computer based on a "survival" algorithm, which will provide irrefutable proof as to how we trick the mind with our ridiculous beliefs about what is supposed to survive - producing minds programmed de facto for destruction. These minds see the survival of a particular belief as more important than the survival of us all. When we understand all this, we will begin the long trek back to reason and sanity.
See RevolutionOfReason.com
2
Dear Mr. President: Read my lips. "Medicare For All".
You lose.
5
This just in: Mexico has agreed to pay for the wall!
Oh, wait ... wrong fiasco.
This just in: Republicans have comprehensive plan to replace Obamacare!
Yeah, that’s it. Demolish and replace.
4
The party of greed, selfishness and cruelty.
4
When your political goal includes depriving millions of people of healthcare it’s time to look in the mirror and ask how your parents’ innocent child turned into such a monster.
5
It is not Obama who will be hurt by this insane decision but rather working Americans, many of whom voted for Trump. In technology when you have to use your own poorly written software we call it eating your own dog food. It looks like it is time for Republican voters to do the same.
Trump and his gang have stolen enough money to have health care for life and I doubt that he has given the consequences of his cruel decisions a second thought. Considering the idiocy and lies he tweets from the White House I suspect that he never gives them even a first thought.
America you asked for this and I hope you are not yet tired of all this winning. Freedom from quality health care, who would not support that?
5
A brilliant move by Trump ! Maybe: Trump keeps a campaign promise and the ACA is repealed AND replaced, with health-insurance for more people. (Under the ACA millions are still not insured.)
The Democrats can anticipate a ruling against the ACA and start working on a replacement bill - with a revenue stream to support it. A fix to the ACA is needed; parties on both sides of the aisle(s) have so-stated. Now the Democrats can have hearings and draft a "new-ACA", even a Medicare for all bill. The Republican-controlled Senate could start as well.
For example:
"House Democrats began moving legislation on Wednesday to ensure safeguards for people with pre-existing conditions and to hold down the costs of health insurance and prescription drugs."
I am not sure this is a good example of improving the existing ACA: 100 million for 'navigators' - see the story for the reference.
@David Pincushion
The Republicans have had over eight years to come up with a cheaper plan with more benefits than the ACA.
Yet, when asked this week what the ACA would be replaced with, the Republican leadership in Congress and the White House say that they don’t have a plan just yet, but that they will definitely have something ready if the ACA is invalidated by the courts.
Eight years and not a whisper of a plan.
Why is that? Because they don’t have any plan even sketched out in broad strokes.
And why is that? Because they have no intention to implement a replacement for the ACA.
8
I'm surprised this article didn't mention how truly terrible the district court's opinion is in terms of legal reasoning. A 6th grader could have written a better reasoned opinion. If I were Barr, that would have been one of my main reasons for not wanting to appeal. If the 5th Circuit upholds it, it will be for blatantly political reasons.
2
/s
Trump's "party of healthcare" couldn't repeal the ACA through the legislative process, they couldn't kill it via the thousand cuts the administration has tried, so they turn (reluctantly, I'm sure) back to the courts.
Nothing like those activist judges to help 20 million people or so lose their health insurance!
But wait! Don't Republicans hate over-reaching judges who make the all in their iwn?
Oh, that's right! Their hatred of activists apply only to those "liberal" Dem judges who decide things differently from "radical conservative" (i.e. reactionary) judges Reps love.
/s
4
There are only 2 plausible options.
A)To spite John McCains ghost.
B)He’s bored being President & is throwing the election.
I’m hoping for B.
9
Nearly every commentator on the renewed attacks on obamacare by trumo)one has been missing the most frightening point by far about what killing the affordable act will mean.
To assess this, we can ask simply,
Who, exactly, in this country either has no dangerous so-called "pre-existing" conditions or no close relative with a pre-existing condition?
if someone tries to answer, No one, i'd be willing to accuse that person of lying.
indeed, is there anyone at ALL in this country - rich, tunnel-visioned lawmakers included - who would be completely inured to the pleas for help by less well placed friends and relatives in sudden health crisis?
If this speculation is correct, and Trump and his cronies succeed in ditching all of Obama care, they will drag us all - to a person - directly down into the bankruptcy pit, with them leading the way.
C.
2
Half the population of the US is poor or near poor; millions of retirees have no savings: how many would die without Medicare for all? And compare to European countries. NYT do write such an editorial.
2
We all have pre existing conditions.
3
These are such incredibly awful people, not a one of them actually trying to help. It's all ideology, politics, self promotion.
3
This is little more than a continuation of Trump's (and a sizeable part of the Republican Party's) desire to destroy President Obama's legacy just because he was Black. Trump thinks Black men should shine shoes, not be President. He is a sick man.
5
This whole administration, and especially the president, is just spitefully evil. There is no good in any one person.
3
Here we go down another Trump rabbit hole, with the news media on cue following in tow. Look! Over here. No! Over there. Can't you Fourth Estaters see Trump is playing you like a ten cent fiddle, changing his tune at his whim. With this president, you've got to stay focused on the big picture, not his obfuscations.
1
VP (Vice Pastor) Mike Pence "voiced concerns"?! That's front-page, bold-print, red-letter news!!
2
Lurching from one day to the next based on the whims and vendettas of a vile sociopath and his soulless enablers. Welcome to the USA.
5
Ready! . . . Fire! . . . Aim!
Wait until he finds out how many in his base receive benefits from Obamacare.
2
@John, and does he care???
1
So what is it that makes an administration act so MAGA MEAN. I can not understand how tacking away peoples life saving insurance can make you feel good about yourself. I am told that 90% of Americans believe in god, we'll prove it and start acting god like.
The ease with which Mr. Trump can co-opt the entire US system is what is breathtaking, not the "blowback". What blowback? Mr. Trump now owns the United States. His standard of behavior is now the measure for judging us all. When was the last time the republican party did not find a way to coming around to his way of thinking? A man whose behavior is so deplorable that a 3-year-old would ordinarily be reprimanded for exhibiting such behavior is now the standard bearer for us all. And, as should be the case, our media has no choice but to pretend the presidency is always something to look up to.
5
Has anyone seen The Favorite? Trump reminds me of the queen so easily manipulated by whomever is standing closest to her. This will be the death of the Republican party. Americans need health insurance.
2
"we’ll have a plan that is far better than Obamacare,” - LOL. Trump cannot even spell "plan" and the Republicans never had a plan they could agee on or articulate. Not to mention that every Republican, including Trump, assured the country that they will keep the pre-existing condition mandate of Obamacare. They lied, again. This is reckless beyond comprehension.
4
Whatever happens in this battle, I believe Congress should be required to give up their fully paid healthcare insurance and come under the umbrella of the final product.
This goes for all Federal Employees.
Why is taxpayer funded insurance okay for Congress, but not okay for the taxpayers?
Why should they be developing a plan which will not have an effect on them?
Many of the same people who wish to strip others of the opportunity to have good medical treatment are those who claim to follow the Christian Religion.
Of the myriad miracles Jesus is said to perform, by far the most were curing the sick and lame. One of his more famous was feeding those who had no food.
How do followers of this prophet not choose to use their power to perform the same actions?
Shameful!
4
Every day in every way the Trump misadministration confirms itself as just being one giant exercise in micturating on the backs of the electorate of the appreciative gullible as they are told it is raining.
2
Just when you thought they couldn't go any lower....
3
This is how the "billionaire president" makes America great again.
1
The same Mick Mulvaney who spent half his 26 year career as a government employee, his salary and benefits paid for by the taxpayers, the same taxpayers from whom he wants to take away their healthcare.
6
Yep, one and the same.
2
Well, the good news is that if Trump is successful, a lot of his base will have no healthcare coverage, and they don't deserve any. And we know what the Republican healthcare plan is: poor people deserve to die. Although, I'm not quite sure where that is in the Bible, but it must be there somewhere.
3
Honestly, let him dismantle it.
Let the MAGA crowd get a good look at where their healthcare is coming from and how badly taken they have been.
5
The Base sure do hate Obamacare. But they love that ACA with pre-existing coverage.
3
When is this horse's pitard and group of perverse bootlick cronies going to realize that the American "base" is ALL Americans, not just the fanatics who wear red hats? What contributions do they make to this country anyway, besides spewing white nationalism and discord? Stop looking for agencies to break. The GetOverPartisans have already raided the coffers by enriching themselves with tax cuts leaving a tremendous deficit for AMERICANS to pay for years to come. This administration is wearying for all the wrong reasons.
Don the Con has not had an original thought about anything since the start of this abomination of a presidency. Minority members like Mulvaney have this opportunity to push through their far right agenda and their self righteous posturing intended to dismantle the social programs that have been a life line for so many people in this country.
Who knows what they are thinking. Nothing gets done and all we get is another executive order not worth the paper it's written on.
Government by posturing and posing....its a sham.
Where is this grand republican & Trump, healthcare plan? Has anyone every seen a real plan from this crowd of sycophants?
They have proven since the ACA passed (& before) that they cannot or will not govern.
But boy do they abuse power , obstruct & criticize everything anyone else tries to do to improve peoples lives!
1
It doesn't matter whether Mick Mulvaney and Donald Trump 'think' they will have a better health care plan to offer the United States or not. Past experience has made it abundantly clear that neither they nor the Republican Party has done the homework necessary to even begin to address the complexities of health care. Their 'health plan' will be cobbled together by the inexpert, and will be aimed primarily at reducing peoples' access to affordable care but maximizing the profits the health care insurers make off whatever care is offered.
What a travesty to offer the MAGA true believers -- many of whom will be hurt by this act of petty revenge. And what a gift to the Democrats at election time! It's one thing to get beaten badly on an issue (as Trump and the GOP were when they first tried this tactic). It's an act of breathtaking stupidity to get up from that beating and hand your opponent back the cudgel with which you were just beaten.
2
"Mad Dog" Mick Mulvaney will not let this bone go. The pettiness and venality of the republican party is, as usual, stunning.
When the history books are written, and children ask what the republican party stood for, all they will need to do is get online, fire up CSPAN, and listen to the lies and obfuscations.
A true national disgrace.
1
Mulvaney may be the instigator of the assault on healthcare but the enabler is McConnell, no question. 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.
* Kentucky:
/ #46 in Educational attainment..
/ #46 in Poverty.
/ #43 in Employment.
/ #43 in Medicare quality.
But #5 in receipt of federal subsidies & #1 in obstructionist politicians.
5
Perhaps "Mad Dog" would have been a sobriquet more accurately applied to Mick Mulvaney rather than James Mattis. Mulvaney is again gnarling on the bone of destruction of the Affordable Care Act, Obamacare.
Not one to let a perfectly serviceable reservoir of hatred and mindless destruction go underutilized, Mulvaney, true to form, has unleashed his usual, faulty, instincts.
And Trump is happy to gnaw at the same bone...again.
1
He has no strategy. He wants to undo everything Obama did and is still stinging from his loss on repeal ( that’s why he can’t let McCain R.I.P. ). It’s all about “winning” for Trump and his sycophants, and if we the people lose, Trump will simply crank up his mendacity machine.
78
@Patricia. Perhaps not so much about winning as it is about revenge fantasies against anyone Trump perceives as making him look bad.
8
As long as insurance companies are deemed "untouchable", there is no fixing healthcare.
I love this quote from the article: “Besides, they [the GOP] argued, Democrats have been campaigning successfully on health care, and Republicans should try to claim the issue for themselves. This could force the matter.” Sure. With what plan? For 10 years, Reps have been trying to repeal the ACA but never promoted any plan nor alternative bill that woul guaranteed the ample coverage the ACA privides, nor its protections. The Tea Party claims about the ACA were completely false and has been demonstrated through this last years. Yes, premiums have gone up, but never like before the ACA and people are more protected now. Wherever the law was implemented as it was supposed to be, it had worked perfectly. That changes ate needed, of course! But an imperfect plannis better than no alternative. Where are the alternatives from the GOP? No where! How they can claim they’ll be the party of healthcare when they were never willing to debate and compromise on the issue? They always fought the ACA, never allowed for the good things it brought. And, lets face it. A lot of the ACA’s failures had happened because of GOP intervention, in states or in congress. I wonder what plan mr. Mulvaney has in mind after striking the law down.
1
All those Medicare recipients that voted for Trump will get a big surprise if this is successful! They are going to get much poorer as ACA added many preventive procedure benefits to Medicare and also, and this is the big one, phase out the Part D "donut hole", and other additional services granted under ACA.
Trump's rhetoric about protecting Medicare and the elderly is just a bunch of hot air! He like all the rest of the GOP only believe in "Only the wealthy deserve to be healthy, the rest can die in the streets"!
1
Trump has shown again that he is not the Great Deal Maker. In the week that Republican Mueller and Republican Barr both gave him a pass on his past he ignites this? Trump had the Dems on the ropes but his hatred of Obama once again has blinded him of any common sense. At this point in his term seeing his tax returns is not as important as getting out the vote in 2020. Trump's decision to throw the ACA under bus should give The Dems a way to win the Senate. I could care less about the arguments they had in the oval office about this because the buck stops with Trump. In Trump's effort to exorcise his Obama demon he gave The Left an opening to run to daylight with in 2020. Trump The Deal Maker just gave The Left a deal they would be crazy to refuse.
1
Gave America that deal. Thank you oh man child ...you helped us see the way to the promised land. And it runs right over you.
The sad part of this relentless attempt to abolish the ACA is that its orchestrated by people who have the best health care insurance for themselves. Secondly, nation should take a vote from all the people who are currently covered by ACA and let them say what they think of ACA.
1
“Pence was worried about the political ramifications of moving ahead without a strategy or a plan.“ Reminiscent of the leap-before-you-look Brexit vote. That’s going well for the Hard Brexit folks. I’m sure we all look forward to a hard exit from health care!
Health care is not a great application for free market economics because the demand curve is frequently vertical. Sometimes, regulation is essential.
1
https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/1/7/18137967/er-bills-zuckerberg-san-francisco-general-hospital. It matters what your insurance policy is. It matters what is considered essential. A life insurance policy won't cover you for high cholesterol. It is a pre-existing condition. So is high blood pressure. Not just cancer or your heart attack. Or any number of conditions requiring medication, expensive or not. Based on this administration's prior demonstrated allegiance, it is far more likely that corporate executives and stock holders are the beneficiaries of policy change. Medicine cannot divide attention between two masters: patients and investors. There should only be one; patients. Beware the cheap limited coverage capped insurance plan.
1
In face on so much onslaught from the media and the Democrats, Trump has fallen in the arms of Establishment Republicans who are now calling the shots and castrated his good, populist instincts. In the end, he is only one person. I am surprised he is still standing after all the heat he has been getting on a daily basis since he announced his candidature.
I don't think there has ever been a more thoroughly venal, soulless and despicable group of people in power in this country. Republicans used to have some measure of reason for their views but today the overarching motivation for their every act is to hurt people who can't defend themselves and enrich themselves and their donors.
Ah! You know the military Republican party. They seem to start a war every decade to keep their empire going by cultivated hatred and anger to gain the peoples love. Now, once again after 154 years, they are trying to do it again by infuriating Democrats. Trump is just a modern day John Brown. Someone please charge those guys for sedition. Mueller missed the point. Someone else who see's the big picture carry it now please before the Republicans really start another uncivil war. Thanks.
I continuously miss one thing in these reports about healthcare. Surely, somewhere and at sometime, Trump and the Republicans have indicated what type of healthcare they want to provide to the American people. The only thing I've ever heard Trumpulicans say on the subject is how much they hate Obamacare. But you think that they would have something to offer as a replacement.
1
So-called president trump's reassuring words still ring in my ears ... "Obamacare is an utter disaster folks. I will repeal it entirely and replace it with something much much better, believe me ... and very quickly". Ringing ringing ringing ... like an unanswered telephone.
2
The craven behavior of these Republicans leaves me speechless. They may not realize it now, but this is not going to end well for them. Trump may indeed get away with shooting someone on Fifth Avenue or putting toddlers in cages, but he's not going to get away with taking medical care (which health insurance provides) from the children or mothers of his MAGA people.
I hate to change the subject but where is the tax return for Mr. Trump?
1
Mr. Mulvaney was acting the fool for Trump’s plot for revenge. I had a feeling things would get worse after AG Barr’s summary letter of the Special Counsel’s report. If you give Trump a corrupt inch, he takes a corrupt mile.
This has nothing to do with Trump’s pledge to his base and everything to do with a cruel, malicious abuses of power. I don’t know how some in Trump’s Administration and Republicans in Congress sleep at night.
2
The priorities should be coming up for a replacement first. The ACA isn't perfect, but it's a start. So if they actually come up with something better in for it, but repeal first and then maybe, possibly come up with something that's not guaranteed to be better, or even happen at all? I guess making America great again like the good ol days includes those wonderful days having to choose between being sick or paying rent.
1
Since 2010 with the battles and passage over Obamacare, I've yet to hear a Democrat come out and tell the public the Republicans are trying to take away their health care. It really is simple. Just tell the truth like Franklin Roosevelt did. It worked then.
1
Kevin McCarthy was 100% right. After the public vindication from Mueller why open up this can of worms and change the story line? If you succeed there will be millions of people without health insurance and no GOP House to pass a new healthcare bill. It would have to be negotiated with Nancy Pelosi. She'll no incentive. Rather she will watch Trump lose in 2020 and the reason why will be ACA.
Private health insurance always was and always will be a giant scam. Buying it is like buying an extended warranty plan on a new TV. After paying for it, you walk away with this sinking feeling that you’ve just been taken while trying to convince yourself that you did the right thing. Remember, all those people who work for the insurance company need to be paid and the shareholders expect to make a profit after all the medical bills have been paid. It's the biggest ripoff ever. I won’t ever buy private health insurance unless I know for sure it’s going to pay off.
There was a meeting to discuss dismantling a program that provides health insurance to millions of Americans, and the head of Health and Human Services calls in, instead of being there in the room? That right there tells you all you need to know about this administration.
A competent president with leadership qualities who gave one whit about healthcare for millions of Americans would insist that the HHS secretary be there in the room.
Meanwhile back at the ranch in the US the EPA is being gutted, the CFPB is being dismantled, Dodd–Frank is being compromised, the deficit is going through the roof, huge chunks of public lands are being sold off, world free trade is being seriously assailed, the justice department is being revamped with a slew of GOP biased judicial appointees, and all while the FBI is being disemboweled.
2
I'm a lower-working class mom of 2 young children/babies. The ACA has been a lifesaver for my family. We're no longer paying 1k per month on basic coverage since starting ACA. We're all healthy. No pills, no illnesses (fingers crossed), just regular people who to the doctor and dentist and maybe a specialist from time to time. And I worry every day that this will be taken from me and my family. It's a massive worry because without ACA I'd have absolutely no way - even with my 4 jobs - to pay for healthcare.
I can't imagine what it's like for those who are ill or have sick children and loved ones. I'm so stressed about losing my coverage. This is not a handout. I understand ACA isn't perfect. The dental is a joke. There is room for improvement so this administration needs to go to the people in order to make this work. And stop listening to angry men who have excellent coverage from their cushy jobs. They can't know what it's like. And they don't care. It's sick.
3
Thought I did respond but see no acceptance of my comments. After more than one thousand responses, I care enough to try again.
After reading "J in Denver" writings, I comment. I have spent over twenty years working on health care financing. Trump's comments without a plan deserve no serious consideration. Health Care is very complicated.
My sadness for J's mother is understood. Before the Affordable Care Act one of the most egregious practices by the insurance companies was adverse selection, better known as "cherry picking."
When my daughter's husband passed away and her Cobra ran out (she has two children, one in college) I discovered that the plans offered in the Affordable Care Act have a type of adverse selection. It was very hard to compare plans offered, but it was clear that should one become quite ill, over ten thousand dollars could accumulate in out of pocket expenses and co pays before the kick in of "real coverage." Note premiums do not count.
What all studies have shown is that the larger the group of people covered the more expenses can be.covered. To be real coverage a package of essential benefits must be part of coverage. If insurance jobs are lost, more health care jobs may pick up.
Health Care will never be perfect. Technology plays a big part. McCain voted against the Republican plan because he knew it didn't work for very sick people (my sense).
The Affordable Care has a great foundation.
2
As a Trump voter and supporter, I was against the individual mandate which practically was a levy for simply being alive, the only thing Americans were not taxed yet, directly, for the big pharma and hospitals have been doing so for years.
However, I am against dismantling ACA unless to replace it with something better.
It should be noted that ACA is largely useless, as I tried to
find a doctor for back problems in NYC which took an ACA backed plan, and I found only one in Queens, a Chinese who barely spoke English, in a city of 8 million people.
Well, it’s NOT useless to me. There are millions of Americans who are paying there monthly premiums, and getting preventative healthcare. And, preventative care is very USEFUL when it comes to controlling long term costs.
3
Strip the President, his wife, and his dependent of their government provided healthcare insurance. Strip the President's son of his social security dependent benefits, he should be supported by his parents.
Strip every member of congress of their government subsidized healthcare plans. Including their spouses and dependents. Include in this group of government recipients, and all employees of members of congress too. Add to these government welshers the Supreme Court including all staff.
But leave those who literally clean up the messes of these people out of this plan, the custodial workers, because it only makes sense.
2
Americans wouldn't have to worry about Trump and his attempts to destroy the Affordable Care Act had all of Obama's voters bothered to show up in 2016 to cast a vote.
Even President Obama warned in 2016 about Trump that he's not being coy about what he was going to do if elected.
at this time, it is true to describe the government of USA as dysfunctional (and that includes the special counsel investigation)
Wow, he really does want to lose in 2020. He’s not rogue; it’s just perpetual bad decisions meant to confuse the last fiasco. I can’t remember a president in my lifetime whose constantly been on the wrong side of history and used his power with malicious intent. This is not normal.
1
America is or has become a very _mean_ country to attempt to live in emotionally, psychologically, spiritually and physically. Cruel, cold-hearted and indifferent is more accurate, however vicious and now nearly unlovable is more accurate. We used to have so much promise and potential!
How does one explain this to young children or worse, why bring them into this debased and fraudulent excuse of a Republic with such empty and now evil spirits at the controls.
We need to gather together and take back our country from the corporations and the politicians they purchased on their path to isolated and guarded comfort.
It's really very simply, we just need to create a country in which everyone wins. Think about it and then think some more.
When people ask me if I'm an American now, I tell them I'm from California.... by way of New England, if they push harder. Destroying the ACA is flat out cold evil. Next up will be Roe v. Wade and then it's not American anymore and thus time to leave for a more mature Nation.
1
It's sad when you want govt to take care of each and everything.
Innovation comes when we have problems. People should take time to think, when our leaders want to think for them The nation dies.
No surprise, this is just the latest attention getting obsession to keep the Trump reality show front and center.
I see that Teresa May is volunteering to step down (for her country)—
Would that we could rid ourselves of Donald Trump that easily.
For instance, how about this deal: Congress repeals the Affordable Care Act (it’s a Band-Aid on a gaping wound — we need single payer universal coverage) in exchange for Trump stepping down.
1
the office of President is supposed to govern in the best interest of the entire nation. this president* is governing for his own re-election at the howling of less than 30% of a "base"
abuse of power anyone? dereliction of duty?
1
With the Mueller brouhaha winding down, President Trump needed something else with which to center the attention back on himself...and what better way than visiting an the old crowd favorite that energized Democrats and provoked Republicans.
1
Ironically, by repealing Obamacare those Republican purists will result in the U.S. gaining something in the medium term what they have despised for decades: a universal single-payer health system.
Enough people, including a lot of Republican voters, will be hurt by Trump's decision to cause them to have a serious rethink of their position.
Well, this is probably the one thing that might convince most Trump supporters that they actually like and benefit from Obamacare: losing it. That's the only potential upside. The downsides are we will go back to more medical bankruptcies and more people will suffer and some will die for lack of affordable access.
Republicans are trying to spark an uprising they are anxious to fight by instituting military control of the nation. Trey Gowdy, Mick Mulvaney, Lindsey Graham, all South Carolinians controlling Trump to make it happen. The South is rising again.
Maybe its the Republican Revolution Newt Gingrich declared in 1994. The first step was to buy the loyalty of the military by throwing money at it, then was the gun owners cultivation. Now they are destroying our health care, deliberately, so we die of our wounds and illnesses.
I was just as upset about the Waco massacre as they are, but is it really worth a war, or are you caught trying to start one and are now trying to infuriate us into being the ones who start it? Maybe we need to expand mental health services to calm you guys down.
Since Trump was elected in November 2016, he has been doing everything he can to dismantle, reduce, and eliminate every aspect of the Affordable Care Act.
Why?
Not because he has an alternative plan in mind that would provide better care at more affordable prices to millions of Americans without care.
Because the Affordable Care Act was championed and signed into law by President Obama.
That is the only reason.
What is it about Trump and his non-stop efforts to rip health care off the backs of low and middle income Americans?
Since it affects the health and well being of a large percentage of Americans, American health care industry leaders and Democratic hopefuls for the Senate, House and the presidency in the 2020 election cycle.
By pointedly, directly arguing the issues associated with Republican efforts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, going door to door if necessary, the American voters will decide on November 3, 2020 which party has the best interests of all Americans in mind.
9
I've said it before, but it seems that some people just still don't get it. Repealing the health care law without a replacement is sheer insanity. Don't blame Trump. He's simply a puppet of corporations and the wealthy. The ones to blame are his supporters. They are the unthinking, uninformed automatons who are so lacking in critical thinking skills, that they will smile, even laugh, as they shoot themselves in the foot. They are the ones who are giving democracy a bad name.
1
I am beginning to think that Trump’s base is made up of the Insurance Industry. If what the media has been portraying as Trump’s base as working class, then I have to disagree that if this is his base, they are the very people who need the ACA.
It makes no sense that the working class would be against what they need so badly, a Health Care system that covers their children until they are 26, covers pre-existing conditions and supplements their coverage.
So I am left to conclude that the Insurance Industry is his base.
7
one might only wish that the Washington Democrats would point out the simple and well known fact that the so called "obama care" or ACA is in fact, a GOP plan, created in Massachusetts some years before Obama was President, by the then Republican Mass. governor-a Mormon-who ran unsuccessfully for President.
The citizens of much of Mass. are not Democrats, just mostly very conservative and often elect GOP candidates, especially governors.
For Truump and his band of men to repudiate ACA is the same as saying that GOP invented , designed and passed laws are garbage because they were touched by the germs of Democrats. The citizens of Massachusettts-GOP and Dems, both- like the Mass Health insurance plan and, it is far from free.
If Dems want to make GOP rulers look dumb-point this out: ACA is a Republican creation.
16
@meloop An inconvenient fact for Trump supporters.
2
He wants to repeal it to obliterate President Obama. Trump is a menacing, vindictive liar who goes after anyone who doesn't like him, or lays bare his shortcomings. That is what this is about. Pathetic. What is good for Americans does not matter at all. Their health and well- being is of no importance.
That Americans don't see this creep for who he is is truly shocking. Nothing matters but him. He is incapable of empathy and has no intellect. I will never get over that he is in the White House.
2
@meloop
Bill Weld, who was the governor who proposed the health care plan, is an Episcopalian, not a Mormon.
Remember former Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL)?
Almost 10 years ago, he made the following presentation before the Finance Committee (09-29-09).
Republican Health Care Plan:
1. Don't get sick...
2. If you do get sick...
3. Die quickly
Democratic Health Care Plan
1. If you have health insurance, we’ll make it better
2. If you can’t afford health insurance we’ll help you get it
3. If you don’t have health insurance we will provide it to you.
In a brief 2:26 video, former Rep. Grayson sums it up...prescient!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-usmvYOPfco
33
Let's see the plan.Even broad outlines of it including pharma pricing.
Trump has to have a fight going + chaos. Mick Mulvaney ffs, like Jordan & Gaetz. Only the best (no one said brightest) people.
Only q is when McConnell says enough, despite the gravy train.
4
Good strategic move by Trump. If the court does rule it unconstitutional, the Congress will have to quickly come up with a replacement. Pelosi will not be able to pass a bill and claim full credit because any bill will required bi-partisan support in the Senate and Trump's support.
Trump can then claim victory bi-partisanship and for coming up with a replacement bill that is "better" and also name it Trump care.
5
Just so we understand....
You approve of ripping healthcare away from millions of people and years before a suitable and comprehensive plan can be establish?
Niether Pelosi or Trump can claim victory. and the people suffer.
@Qcell
What court are you referring to? The Supreme Court?
Keep it up and keep your Republican lackeys behind you all the way. We can then rid ourselves of the horrible stench you have unleashed over all the land.
It will be a Blue tidal wave that will sweep you and your evil army out of power and restore respect, morality, and kindness to our beautiful Country.
25
This Trump Republican Party's slow motion act of political Hara-kiri will damage untold tens of thousands of Americans. It's too late to stop it, but we can salvage a modicum of justice in watching the suicidal end.
9
What could Mr. Mulvaney and Mr. Grogan possibly be thinking? Oh! They're not! They're just doing what they're told by their serpentine owners. And to have such an eager and willing stooge in the White House, ready to obey, ready and willing to help dismantle America. Nicely done.
11
Whatever his motives for going after healthcare again, it would probably be a mistake to assume that Donald Trump is acting on principle. We’ve seen that he doesn’t have any principles. He has no principles against lying. He has no principles against working with criminals. He has no principles against cheating on his wife and baby, and paying bribes to cover it up. He has no principles against befriending murderous tyrants.
Donald Trump’s only principle is to promote himself, and that’s what he’s doing with healthcare. If his actions mean that an extra few million people a year will become desperately ill or impoverished because they can’t access healthcare, he’s got no principles against that, either.
27
I thought the Supremes already said it was legal. What am I missing?
13
What your missing is two Trump judges on the court since the last ruling.
1
The “Club for Growth” gang wants health care back in the hands to the big contributors that have traditionally controlled it. I don’t give Mike Pence credit for a lot of brains but he’s smart to distance himself from the other Trump looks on this one.
4
A Gallop poll in early Nov, 2018 listed voters’ concerns, in order of importance: healthcare, the economy, immigration.
So if he repeals it, Trump thinks he has “beat” Obama. But Obama can’t be beat on this matter. Obama worked so hard for this legislation to HELP Americans. And he has! Trump’s true purpose is to bring Obama down, but will bring Americans down instead.
21
Certainly you are entitled to your perspective.
That indeed is the narrative I’ve heard many times.
President Obama promised repeatedly that if “ you like your health insurance you can keep it “
I and my family had a so called “ junk “ health care policy with high deductible and very low yearly premiums. We were very happy with the plan. Understood how it worked and recommended it to friends and colleagues who also liked the plan.
Under Obamacare such so called “ junk “ plans with high deductibles and low yearly premiums were outlawed under the new regulations. I and my family were forced to purchase a “ better “ plan with a much, much lower deductible and a much much higher annual premium...for the so called “ better” plan. The only thing that was “ better “ about the plan was better profit margins for the health insurance company and its executives.
The underlying assumption of Obamacare was that beneficiaries such as myself were too stupid to understand that we were being sold “ junk “ policies. Our families out of pocket yearly health insurance costs including copays, deductibles, coinsurance and yearly premiums increased from roughly $ 3,000 / year prior to ObamaCare to nearly $ 20,000 / year under ObamaCare. Fortunately after 3 years my wife and I were of an age to quality for Medicare.
Few can argue that some fraction of our population benefited from the program. However the data demonstrates that the majority of Americans and businesses had greater costs.
This is what Trump does. He manufactures crises, then dumps them on Congress to solve, whether they are prepared to or not. Then he takes credit if it succeeds and blames dead men if it doesn't.
30
Well, leave it to Trump to think that the 42% of Americans who approve of his job as president counts as a majority of Americans...
12
Trump is bringing new meaning to 'activist judges', a former favorite Republican term often used by Liz Cheney before she became a Wyoming Congressperson. It is doubtful she will reprise that term in response to this.
4
Is it accurate that the only pushback on the Republican side is because of the political ramifications of this decision? The article seems to indicate that the only concern among Republican Senators is how this affects re-election campaigns. Do any of them care about people dying because they can’t get coverage for pre-existing conditions? I honestly have a difficult time believing they are all so selfish and amoral. Surely there’s more than just pure political calculation at play among at least some of those Republicans opposing this decision.
10
@Henry, Aaaand, you just hit the nail on the head. We, the American people are talking about not having potentially life saving healthcare. The GOP is talking about how this might effect their re-election potential. Now, if that doesn't tell you everything you need to know about the GOP, then I rest my case.
1
Putting all moral and humanitarian issues aside, is this good politics ? Is this going to fire up and enthuse the base ?
1
It won't until after the fact, the next time they try to go to the doctor.
The base asks no questions, they believe their hero who gave them permission to hate and fear brown skin people - nothing else matters to them.
Once the ACA is decimated and the resulting damage and pain is inflicted on, and experienced by, the American people the push for Medicare for All will become overwhelming.
The Republicans should really be careful about what they wish for.
18
Mr. Trump's 'base of voters' are not the majority of Americans.
If you don't like this, vote.
Send money to Democrats, particularly in swing areas.
Volunteer to help people to register to vote. Keep a sharp eye on the polling station locations, and help get people to them.
The current occupant and the current government do not reflect the wishes of the people as described in multiple polls, it is not impossible to change things.
14
The Republican congress gave the top 1% huge tax cuts but the trickle down effect and the sugar highs are wearing off after all the stock buy backs. So with a growing economy we have even larger government deficits and larger debt interest, when it should be shrinking. With a non-emergency wall to build, the "budget manager/chief of staff" is trying to steal health care from millions of America. It's time for the American people to stand up for investing in health and not bombs, useless walls, and tax cuts!
11
Our health care system is a mess. The Affordable Care Act did nothing to help but throw a lot more money at the system. We were already spending too much and getting poor results. The Act made things worse, not better.
The Democrats want to put a bandage on a gaping wound. Or go to an even more expensive nationalized health care system. Those aren't good answers.
It is time again to think about repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act. I don't think the Supreme Court is going to throw it out, and the Democrats in both the House and the Senate will block any replacement there. But now that John McCain is no longer around to quixotically muck things up, maybe we can at least try to get our health care system doing a better job at a cheaper cost.
1
I think many agree that the ACA is not perfect. But how did it make things worse? And what is stopping Republicans to come up with a better plan? They have had a decade at least. Yet.... Crickets. The only concern right now seems to be the repercussions the destruction might have for any re-election efforts. I have not found one Republican seriously voicing concern about what the endgame might be for real people.
Mulvaney seriously believes that Trump voters will support the repeal of the ACA?? Maybe...right up to the moment when they find out that they or someone close to them no longer has or can afford health insurance and won't qualify for Medicaid.
The President can tout the great replacement health care plan that the GOP will come up with, but in their 10 year effort to repeal and replace the ACA, such a plan has either been non existent or would provide far less benefits to fewer people.
President Trump no doubt feels he is holding a strong hand at the moment and can either force Dems to accept a GOP health plan, or simply blame them for the loss of the ACA if they opt not to play along...provided, of course, that he can end the ACA via the courts.
The dilemma for many GOP will be: do they oppose the end of the ACA that many of their voters like and rely on, or do they bow to the president's directive. Time will tell, but it strikes me that the GOP has far more at risk in this than Dems.
4
Mulvaney can’t add 2+2, and as Trump admitted himself last year, he still doesn’t know health care could be so difficult. First they have to find some intelligent people to come up with a health care program that is better than ACA, before they can get rid of it. If Supreme Court blindly gets rid of ACA, without asking for a replacement that is better, we will find out whose side they’re on. For sure, not American people.
10
Trump's base is the minority.
For the rest of us, the majority -
- Right here is the reason to vote for OTHER than Trump.
9
Does this move mean Trump is ready to support Single Payer Healthcare? If so, then he’s got my full support and I suspect the support of most Democrats. Republicans on the other hand ;-)
2
The Affordable Care Act has the interest of Americans’ health at its center. Whose interests are served by taking it apart? The ACA was a legislative achievement during his predecessors administration. Undoing it takes nothing of that achievement away. It is unfortunate that it was a partisan achievement. It is more unfortunate that it could be taken apart in courts for not only partisan reasons, but also for egoistical shortsightedness.
3
It’s interesting how many comments claiming to be from people in support of the legislation weaponize Medicaid and the Obamacare exchange as insults being analogous to “loser”. I’ve also seen opioid addict and getting treatment through Medicaid being used as an insult.
3
What have we become?
14
Where is the Mick Mulvaney health care bill that the GOP promised back in 2010? Perhaps we can glean some insights from that mystical document.
8
Imagine a party of people who want to fight to lose their health care and risk their lives. Must be the Republican "Suiciders".
12
What is wrong with this people? Is the Republican party even human? It appears to me they lost their humanity a long time ago. The prejudice and hateful treatment of Obama when he won, to this now. President Obama started something to try to take care of the American people. He represented the American people not just the people that voted for him. I'm sure he knew the health care program wasn't perfect but it was a start. Maybe along the line things will get better and grow. He had the courage to represent everyone as every President of the USA has done, until now. I haven't seen so much hate directed toward the American people by the people that supposedly serve them. I mean this is pure hatred, anger and destruction. What is behind this? Who is pulling the strings behind this people of the Republican party? The president of the USA is there to serve everyone not just the people that voted him into office!! This country is truly becoming the country of the wealthy. Maybe the rest of us should move out and leave it to them. The sad thing is that Canada doesn't want us. LOL!! They think we are insane for letting this happen. Everyone should be fire and we should start afresh. There is no room for this shenanigans. We need sane, serious people that ready to do the job they were hired to do. We can't deal with crazy clowns anymore that want to send our country back to the 50's. We need people with vision. American needs a reboot to wipe the current viruses.
15
This administration, on a daily basis, are hurting Americans. Americans who follow the law. Who go to work. Who breath the air and drink the water. This isn't politics. This is our lives you're tossing in the air and seeing what falls. Leave any ACA alone. Stop hurting your fellow Americans.
13
They will never repeal it! This is another look over there moment. Perhaps Mueller couldn’t charge anyone based on such a narrow scope that he was asked to investigate, but my money is on that report having damaging information on Donald’s entire family. Until the report is released, this will never go away!!!!!
2
Trump supporters don't care about health care , nor do they care about whether they themselves have health care....it is very evident that Trump supporters haven't given it any thought, and the Republican Party doesn't care either.
Trump said it himself, he could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue and there would be no repercussions...We don't seem to be listening....when people tell you who they are--- you should believe them. This is the mind set of those who populate the Republican Party voter base at the moment. What can one do? I am at a loss, I feel like I need some wisdom about where this is taking us as a country.
This is an administration of mad men and women....it's a bad dream and I can't wake-up!
9
I’m looking at the silver lining here. A lot of his base will die. To the caring physicians out there who choose to treat the socioeconomically deprived patients, start upping the dosage and talk to your patients about hoarding their medications while they are still within reach. To be fair Trump’s “plan” will also derail medical research into new drugs because There won’t be a lasting financial incentive. Apparently his axe grinding isn’t just for President Obama. He doesn’t like doctors either, or patients, sick people, poor people, mothers, fathers and children. Oh and dogs.
8
Please cancel it. Most of the coastal population is covered by their employers. Let the base suffer then only they will understand . No developed country in the world has this mess. Let people suffer then they will revolt.
3
@Libran Whom are you urging to do the canceling?
Let's consider the real world ramifications of this development. No judge or panel of judges are going to take away lives by taking away their health care. If they do, they will have to defend themselves from tens of millions of Americans. That is by no stretch a threat, that's simply how people behave. I wouldn't play the odds of staying safe after allowing the attempted murder of millions of people by taking away their health care. The Republicans are either bonkers or trying to start a war. That is what they do as it is, but their own people? That's just crazy.
3
Trump & GOP Congress will retire w million dollar healthcare & pension benefits. It’s unconscionable for Trump/GOP to take away the last remaining healthcare for the common working folks. Since Trump/GOP are so against affordable healthcare for families, why won’t Trump/GOP eliminate their own luxurious healthcare benefits that we the tax payers are paying for!?
5
As long as his administration’s decisions are predicated on what the “base” wants, I feel justified in saying he is not my president.
7
@Mark Oristano You don't need a justification. You can say it if you want. Some people will care; most want. But you can certainly say it.
1
If Trump’s white, working class base does not recognize how negatively this effort would impact them, then they will have proven how far from reality they have slipped.
12
The fallout from eliminating Obamacare, as experts have noted, would be chaos in the insurance sector. That would lead to an undiscussed consequence: the hastening of some form of government supported and regulated single- payer health insurance.
3
We are all one phone call away from a health care melt down to our families Everyone in this country needs to pull together, march ,register every friend to vote,hold town hall meetings with our representatives. Force them to give real policy process issues. Scream bloody murder on every tv program we can. Make sure our voices are heard.
We march for people with cancer, we march for our loved ones with dementia we march for our children who are classified as special education, we march for children in cages, we march for every last person in this country . No one in this crooked administration is taking away our health care. Health care is going to be improved and the GOP party is going to be kicked to the curb, they are the party of greed and hate,
This con man is a traitor to our country and no one is going to sit back and let this monster destroy us.
We will destroy him and his minions giving them all tickets to Russia. Keep basking in the light of Putin, traitors they all are. Democracy will not be destroyed,
9
For years, Republicans rallied around efforts to repeal the ACA. But the law is now a crucial part of the nation’s health-care economy, upon which millions of voters rely for coverage. The discontent among the GOP’s congressional caucus reflects a reality that without something to take its place, the ACA can no longer be scrapped without significant political damage to anybody who disrupts its coverage.
Trump claims to understand the importance of health care. But he has to have a detailed plan that is going to be an improvement over the ACA. As of Wednesday, it was difficult to find anyone on Capitol Hill who could say how such an improvement might take shape, a fact that Democrats were quick to note.
“The American public spoke loud and clear in the November 2018 elections, and addressed the Republican antics by defeating them resoundingly,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) on the Senate floor Wednesday. Now, the president wants to go back to repeal first and replace later. Is this Trump's idea?
8
The President obviously has forgotten that he is supposed to represent all Americans. The Trump base is a clear MINORITY of the voters and does not deserve to have their every wish granted. Especially since they might not be the sharpest tools in the shed, at least those of them that are losing healthcare if the ACA is repealed. While not getting much of a tax cut but increasing the deficit so that Medicare is on much shakier ground, and roads and bridges cannot afford to be fixed. What is the base thinking, anyway?
12
With this move Trump may have handed over the Senate and Presidency to the Democrats in 2020. Every single American knows, cares and in many cases loves someone that has benefited from the ACA. While healthcare is still pretty messed up in America, since passage of the ACA the stress Americans feel about health care has diminished greatly. Gone are the horror stories of people barred from coverage because of a pre-existing condition. Kids up to age 26 are covered on mom or dads employer plan. Folks in low wage jobs or unemployed have the extended Medicaid to thanks for their coverage.
13
Finally. Real issues that impact real people. The administration is showing it's trump card. Rather ill timed if you ask me. Go for it, Trump. Your celebration of the no collusion and no obstruction shield from your lackey, Barr, is now severely curtailed. But it is your call. Vengeance is a misleading mistress. Thank you for helping Democrats focus on the real issues such as health care. You have nothing.
16
Healthcare is meant to ensure we all have happy, healthy lives. What better way to ensure that than to leave it in the hands of the people. With the government subsidizing healthcare and telling us exactly what types of care are necessary care under the ACA, the government is taking a big gamble. In terms of supply and demand, a basic nitty-gritty of economics works as such: The government is betting that the growth in healthcare supply (more facilities, more doctors, more opportunities medication, different types of services) will outpace the growth in healthcare demand (the number of aging Americans, the number of people with pre-existing conditions, the number of people getting sick, the number of people paying for expensive tests out of fear and for the sake of getting a sense of security.) This is not the bet that the government should be making.
Rather, the government, if it earnestly wants to improve our healthcare, should focus on preventative care, which is in essence a lifestyle change. The government's subsidies, if there are any, should not be about allowing more and more people to use the system, but allowing more and more people to go to gyms, telling them to eat more fruit and veggies, telling them to develop healthy sleep schedules, and subsidizing healthcare industry disruptions with entrepreneurs focused on fundamental lifestyle change.
1
Wouldn't it be nice to have a president who could make his own decisions after carefully reviewing facts data and options?
And make a decision that is best for AMERICANS and his re-election.
He walked into the meeting with the GOP and said (widely reported by multiple sources) and said "I have a SLOGAN."
That's all it's about for him -- HIS slogan, HIS election.
Win with a slogan, take health care away from millions -- what matters as he TELLS US over and over is WINNING.
But our country loses
6
Trump is getting back at McCain for throwing the ACA vote AND delivering the dossier that instigated the now useless Russia collusion investigation. Trump works on negative energy. He is definitely not thinking about positive heathcare outcomes for our society. It is about Trump getting hit and hitting back harder. That is it.
15
Does everyone get why they're doing this? Yes, it's cruel, but the real aim is to save the federal government the money it costs for the APTC (premium tax credit), the Medicaid expansion, and the ACA-provided Medicare benefits. That money is needed to offset the historically high deficit caused by the Republican tax law passed in 2017, so that the government handouts to the super-wealthy can continue. So for our sociopath-in-chief, it's a two-fer: cruel to the people who need healthcare the most -- the poor, the sick, and the powerless -- while also enabling the rich to get richer.
13
In addition to what I see as a basic inhumanity in the Republican Party, it appears that its members lack the understanding that the proper “base” of the White House is the entirety of the American public.
9
The silence as to real solutions is deafening. Though there is panic, the is only a raging crowd going over the Hill facing no real resistance - no civil revolution. No voice of reason that stands tall among us to quiet the masses awaiting leadership with a steady and sane hand. Who are we? Who is this people we have become? Are we not huddled beneath the very blanket of freedom provided to us by generations of brave soldiers of all stations, some who still walk among us? Why are we not standing upright and marching, arm in arm, to quell this tide of futility that threatens our existence as a great democracy? Holding that red, white and blue blanket of freedom high above our heads and shouting for all the world to hear - WE THE PEOPLE! - we should be focused on a tactical tourniquet to stop the bleeding and bringing in a very skilled political surgeon to stitch the fabric of our progress back together. Stand up, America!
5
I understand Trump's game. He's actually counting on the SCOTUS to overrule the Texas judge. Then he gets credit with his base for trying to repeal the Democrats' monstrous ACA without having to suffer the consequences if he actually succeeded.
4
A Levite should understand the meaning of Tikkun olam.
Why are they so intent on stripping 20 million people of health care coverage?
9
TO PARAPHRASE
"The Republican Party will soon be known as the party of DON'T care. You watch.”
6
He has a really super-fantastic plan, but he can only tell us what it is after we give him our existing health care. Sounds like a great deal to me.
8
@tom
You mean like only showing what’s in a bill after it’s passed?
1
The problem with the repeal of Obamacare health insurance is the lack of a vetted replacement healthcare plan and a period of at least a year before a new plan that will ensure health care for all is set in motion.
6
The A.C.A. was passed in 2010, and was implemented in 2014, giving states (such as New York) FOUR YEARS to build the bureaucracy necessary to fulfill the goals of Obamacare.
2
I urge everyone to give trump a yuge chance here. Mainly because we have nothing to lose considering that 1) he’s going down this road anyway, and 2) he has said in the past that the solution to the healthcare problem is eliminating the state barriers to providing coverage so we know he’s at least thought about it and 3) he does actually have a modest track record of focusing on the things he says he will do, and 4) buried in all of his rally speeches are a number of references to it being not okay for people to die because they don’t have insurance and 5) he has said he will “replace” the ACA with something better, and finally 6) nothing would be a bigger win for trump than “trumping” Obamacare.
It would not be that far fetched for Donald Trump to be the person who is able to figure this out. It’s not like anybody else has. I would hope that people can at least allow him to try.
3
@Somuchwin
you're kidding, right?
27
@Mike Schmidt
No. Unlike most people commenting I prefer to accept reality and consider things rationally. The ACA has never worked well. A big secret that the media never reports on is the fact that states with low populations OR small numbers of potential customers have almost no viable exchange options because insurers have no obligation to provide insurance in any state. Trump has said numerous times that eliminating state barriers to health coverage is important. He’s 100% right. This is the biggest obstacle preventing the ACA from working. And it makes zero sense for anyone desiring Medicare for all to not see his point.
Let me remind you that Trump insisted that the disastrous Republican proposals that were floated in attempts to repeal the ACA were a “great improvement”. Why? Because he lies the way most of us breathe. There is no sign at all that the Trump administration has any desire whatsoever to improve our healthcare system. This will blow up in his face, deservedly so.
5
I live in a state that defiantly refused the medicaid expansion even though it would have helped our budget. That's because WY is 80%+ Republican. The state legislature twisted themselves into a pretzel thinking of "better" health care options than the ACA, and all they came up with was an HSA plan for those uninsured. I do have insurance, and I do have an HSA plan, but HSA is only useful if you need a tax break. I find the whole HSA option completely phony. It's really just me putting aside my money to pay for the services that my insurance company won't pay for. Its a ruse.
Once Trump and his R's scrap the ACA, I guarantee their "Great Health Care Plan" will be HSA plans. They have no new ideas except the same old ones.
23
Trump is right. The Republicans will be known as the party of health care.
4
@bob They already are. And badly in need of more.
3
The R's should be careful what they wish for.
Getting "their" Supreme Court - along partisan lines - to do their political dirty work by destroying the ACA will be the quickest way to a national single payer system. The Supreme Court will make healthcare an "all or nothing" proposition, and then force the American people to experience the "nothing". There will be thousands and thousands of heartbreaking stories of lives destroyed, physically and financially. The blame for all of it will be placed - where it belongs - at the feet of the R's., The inevitable and ferocious response will be a demand for the "all", a universal, single payer system. And the political chips will fall where they may.
This is a grave miscalculation by the R's.
18
More critical than health care is national security. We need to replace all our obsolete subsonic missiles with hypersonic missiles, which both China and Russia have already developed, and aimed at our wealthy elite. But first we must steal or develop this new technology. How did we miss the boat? Obviously, infighting over Obamacare!
@Bill How did we miss the boat? Maybe just by not wanting to pay the fare. (with or without the Obama excuse)
I thought I read that Kushner’s brother is a venture capitalist in healthcare companies. Ivanka holds patents in nursing homes. Shouldn’t there be a disclosure of possible conflicts of interests? Investments?
13
@MidWest Disclosure? Are you trying to intimidate the Trumpners into dead silence?
3
Since many rural Trump voters seem to believe that Obamacare (which they hate) is something different from the ACA (which they love if they now have Medicaid and better access to medical care), Trump can simply state that he killed Obamacare but left the ACA intact.
8
Apparently building a wall at the border is an emergency but stripping millions of Americans of their health care is just another day at the office. The circus goes on.
23
Trump really wants to show off his Supremes - Gorsuch and Kavenaugh - to the Base, imagine his glee when they do his bidding!
7
@Ralcarbo "Back in My Arms Again"
See, this is why Mulvaney will never get beyond “acting” chief of staff. Much easier to fire.
3
Still the ACA in California has a $12,000 deductible for a family of 4. The only people who benefit from this program [in CA] are the working poor.
The ACA needs fixing but to scrap it -- doesn't make much sense.
There's a lot riding on this, the Trump administration can't be that dumb to cancel a popular program and have nothing to replace it with... It's mind boggling what these people are up to..
3
Indeed - the very base which needs healthcare the most - never amazes me at how many so willingly vote against best interests. Likely, it's more about 'let's stick it to them' first . . . only to realise, much much later, opps, just shot myself in me goshdarn foot . . .
8
If you believe Trump has a better plan, then you really are wearing ear plugs. Mexico is not paying for the wall, there is no infrastructure plan,and the tax cuts do not benefit everyone etc. If I didn’t know better I would say Mulvaney is pushing and shoving Trump and GOP onto the weak branch of the tree that will break. Couldn’t happen to a better bunch of people.
8
Healthcare fix was going to be easy, like peace in the Middle East. So what happened?
If you don't know anyone with a pre-existing condition, then you must not have any friends or family.
Born with a mitral valve prolapse, never one issue. But my MONTHLY premium was $3450 for AVERAGE medical insurance until the ACA. Then it went down to $650 a month.
Thank you president Obama for getting us the best you could, with the birther hate fighting you every step of the way.
23
@M Easy?
Peace in the Middle East?
Surely you joust.
Only in America can a mainstream political party actually campaign on a platform to remove benefits from the population at large. The Republican party is nothing more than a party of hate. They hate immigrants, they hate the poor. They wrap themselves in a flag and claim to love America while hating most of its inhabitants. It is one thing to protect the rich and powerful which is what all mainstream parties have always done. But the current Republicans have taken it to a level of viciousness that is truly unprecedented, at least in recent times.
28
Don "Quixote" Trump making another run at the windmill.
3
"the Trump administration’s surprise decision to press for a court-ordered demolition of the Affordable Care Act"
That isn't a surprise.
It's just 'lil DJ Trump making random "decisions".
He remains completely unqualified to be president.
7
Trump was silent leading right up to Mueller's report to Barr, Barr summarized his opinion in several lines, Trump then declared NO collusion and pivoted. Now Bar says it may be weeks before he's sanitized and darkened out Mueller's work. My guess, Barr and Trump know there is bad news ahead in what little they'll let us see, so why not pivot now and revel up his base on their common red meat issues.
2
The red states were hurt by his tariffs, hurt by floods from climate change and now going to get hurt by losing their health insurance.
Tired of winning yet?
15
This is what these people spend their time on. This is how they spend our taxpayer money. Hatching plots, waging power struggles, backstabbing, pushing agendas.
They have done nothing constructive during this first term. The only major legislation they passed was the $1T gift to the 1%. They have no programs. They only want to tear down anything that helps the country so they can shovel money to their friends and themselves.
Wake up America. This crime organization is stealing our country.
30
This is what I think: D. Trump cannot accept that Obama saved the economy giving us the strengths in the economy we now have.
Instead, D. Trump says that he, D. Trump has caused the economy to be strong. He is unable to give Obama credit for the strength of our economy.
And, D. Trump cannot accept it that Obama created The Affordable Care Act which is a positive foundation with structures for continuing to build effective health care for each and every American.
D. Trump is envious and jealous of Obama.
Is Trump a person who is small like the fictional fairy tale character Rumpelstiltskin?
8
@LennyObama doubled our National Debt.
And your Trump did what to the debt? Oh you Republicans!
As a retired American expatriate for the last 16 years I search the world for a government that I can admire.
My personal requirements are a balance between healthy capitalism and the necessary humanitarianism to prevent the kind of cruelty Trump has become famous for.
Here in France, a yellow vested struggle ensued when the citizens discovered that their new president embraced an allegiance to the most wealthy members of the country.
In America, taking away a progressive health care program and denying minimal medical services to poor people is the height of simple minded cruelty.
While Michelle Obama had finally become proud of her country when her husband was still in office, some Americans, like myself, have become appalled by the heartlessness of Trump and his sad mean spirited supporters throughout the country.
18
Country is divided, Country’s world leadership role diminished, Mueller’s report a whitewash, a wall is being built not to keep aliens out but to keep the enemy (us) within, so while everyone’s disillusioned why not take away their healthcare.
On a personal note, 45’s tax cut increased my tax payment to 3 times the previous amount and no other president works harder to dismantle the country. The gop have yet to provide a viable healthcare replacement in the last 8 years, but they are goose stepping a victory lap with 45.
One can only hope to survive the division, being leaderless, with a whitewashed justice system, isolated by a wall and with no healthcare.
6
Meanwhile conservatives have started to preach civility.
.
Pfft. I’m done with civility to conservatives in office. And I’m done with civility towards their staffers - the pathetic, privileged little frat boys and sorority sisters.....
.
Their push to nullify the Affordable Care Act at the behest of their billionaire patrons is a big part of the reason why
16
“If the Supreme Court rules that Obamacare is out, we’ll have a plan that is far better than Obamacare [and Mexico will pay for it],” he said.
9
Some people turn garbage into gold. Some people turn gold into garbage. Trump coming off his highest high in his presidency (in reality, some of his issues are still TBD)
is opening up the wound (ACA) that led to the blue wave last November.
Once again, no need to go down this path. Just tell your base you killed Obamacare.
They believe everything you say without hesitation, reservation or further qualification. Have someone at Fox News present some graphics and charts. Start with the mandate that you killed. They will buy into the whole schtick....trust me.
Don't even mention ACA. Just tell them Obamacare is dead.
Tens of millions of Americans depend on the ACA. Your people say this will energize your base. Well, this will energize the resistance to off the charts levels.
And, there is more of us than there is of them.
25
The GOP is going down.
17
Maybe I should think like a republican voter and be happy if the ACA is eliminated. I can rejoice in the knowledge that ignorant rural trump voters will be losing any access to hospitals or any health care and die at a greater rate than us urban elitists.
16
Everyone just needs to STOP CALLING IT OBAMACARE. Call it what it is, the Affordable Care Act and the so-called “base” will be so confused they won’t know whether to love it or hate it. Calling it Obamacare simply ensures that they’ll hate it to its core because, let’s face it, the “base” is made up of narrow-minded, misogynistic, racist, xenophobes who have no ability to think for themselves. These are people who still believe that Barack Obama was a radical Muslim, born in Africa and bent on destroying our western way of life.
Make America Great Again indeed.
27
And that’s why Republicans started calling it Obamacare
6
Canada and most European countries are prime examples of how Universal Health Care could bring much needed financial stability and a healthier workforce to the United States in principal. a single-payer system would reenforce in each and everyone of us the shared belief that Health Care is a basic human right, and we should all unite to make this a reality.
14
Mick Mulvaney is your typical mean-spirited "Trumpist". Surprise, surprise!
Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL) should take care not to lie in public. "Republicans", he said, "believe in protecting people with pre-existing conditions." Yeah and talk is cheap, and getting cheaper by the minute.
20
Barbara Bush said the Trump presidency gave her a heart attack. I think many of us feel the same. And just when you really need a cardiologist, Trump's attack on the ACA will ensure there's no way in heck you'll be able to be treated. Truly, our lives depend on the whims of a madman! When will this recurring nightmare end?
33
Every time I read or hear about a new shenanigan afflicted by the Trump regime on the American people I thank my stars that I am a resident of Canada, where sanity reigns. It's true that our taxes are higher than they are in the U.S. but we get a decent return on our "investment" - while access to health care isn't perfect, it's close to it, and we have fine doctors and hospitals. We also have government officials who recognize that global warming is a real and true problem that must be addressed. Providing universal health care does not mean that a country is socialistic nor does care for the environment- it means that the country is realistic. I hope that the Trump base will wake up to the truth that he is a menace to their well-being before the 2020 election and that they will vote him out of office with a wide margin for the other guy or gal.
21
This is very superficial and catty, but Mulvaney has always struck me as looking like a villainous banker from a 1930's movie who wants to tear down an orphanage to build a railroad. Maybe I'm not that far off.
33
@Dominic,
You are not alone. Since Trump began assembling his cast of crooks, I have had a hard time shaking the image of evildoers in Marvel comics who are plotting behind the scenes to trip up the average citizen and leave tears in their wake.
4
To add insult to injury, a significant portion of Trump's "profoundly ignorant" and "profoundly and cynically ideological" base (to quote @Tim) will probably blame Democrats, not Trump, when they lose their health coverage.
The cure for ignorance and cynical ideology is education -- but, oops, Trump and Betsy are gutting that, too.
Ah, yes, We the People have been Made Great Again.
17
I never understood this continuing effort to beat a dead horse to the point of political suicide (irrationality in potus notwithstanding). Then again (silly me), this isn't about healthcare.
Reading through the comments, I was struck by how many focused their ire on those who support Trump -- which is about as productive as criticizing people for the religion they practice. Politics is often just as irrational, requiring a large does of faith (even for what we progressives believe).
Society always has its share of ignorant, mean, even paranoid. And I'm not trying to be an apologist for his supporters. But, are we not confusing an ability to better see these people (due to modern communications) with an ability to understand them and, hence, put it down to ignorance?
The bigger point is that we are doing just what is intended by political propaganda: taking our eye off the important stuff to blame someone else: the poor, gays, pro-choice, Muslims, immigrants, and now (if not all along) each other. We've done it for so long that we have fracture into a splintered society.
Meanwhile, with all eyes on someone else's ball, and the back door cracked open . . . . . This was 9/11's gift to the GOP, which they've been replaying ever since.
And we think we are so much smarter than they are.
3
A 90 year old friend of mine who is a Canadian citizen loves to regale me with his listing of all the body parts he has had replaced and he ends the list with “and it didn’t cost me one dime”.
12
@Checker That's a bargain I will happily live without.
3
“The party of healthcare”
Uh-huh. They’ve been fighting the Affordable Healthcare Act now for nearly 10 years without one single workable plan to take its place.
Donald kept saying he’d replace it with something incredible and much cheaper. (crickets)
Keep it up guys, you had at least a perceptual win this week, and you just ran yourselves headfirst into an oncoming freight train. Well done.
17
If something would benefit the American people, Trump hates it. If something would cause many Americans pain and suffering, he is all for it. What is wrong with this picture of someone who is supposed to be serving ALL Americans?
16
@rox I suppose he thinks he truly is serving the underprivileged by not letting them get too hopeful when it comes to human decency.
3
"...as a candidate he campaigned on repealing the health law. His base of voters would love it."
If this is true, his "base" are supporting something that directly harms themselves. Therefore, Hillary Clinton is quite wrong to label them "deplorable"; they're either discombobulated or mesmerised or even poisoned! This should be investigated as a matter of National emergency.
5
Every American eagerly awaits Trump's promises: "No one will lose coverage...insurance for everybody...healthcare will be a lot less expensive."
7
My daughter had life threatening asthmatic attacks when she turned 23 and came off my health policy years ago. We were willing to pay astronomical health insurance hen but the insurance companies basically laughed at us because of her preexisting asthma. I could not believe how heartless these companies could be. Why do Republicans have this mentality? We have work to do in 2020 to get rid of the grifter in the WH and his minions in Congress.
22
Not to worry: Mexico will pay for the “great, new, unbelievable Republican health care, folks.”
14
@H. Clark He'll probably want Canada to pay this time.
2
I suggest googling “Moral Injury” of healthcare workers. The greedy administrations of hospitals call it “burn out” for us MDs and RNs. The system is so very broken. We need Universal Healthcare. The profit needs to be taken out of the equation. We need to just take care of our patients.
22
Trump and his minions are always looking for an end run around the right (ethical, time honored) way to achieve his "goals", skirting legality, and costing us more and more in education, health care, environmental quality, etc. I'm sure this is to compensate for the big tax cuts for the rich and the resulting ballooning deficit. It does also help to divert attention from the open question about Trump's obstruction charges. God save us.
6
The Lord helps those who help themselves. Vote to republicans out from the Courthouse to the White House!
5
It's impossible to believe what appears, on the surface, to be political suicide. Taking away people's healthcare? This has to be a bad idea even for his "base". What I fear is that it is a trap they are laying for Democrats, who will likely oppose their eventual lame attempts at replacement, and then appear to be the enemy of health care. Could this be? In this up is down, black is white season, it's disconcerting to think anything is possible.
4
It is surprising how Mr. Trump believes he knows that people who have health insurance provided by the Affordable Care Act aka Obama Care want to see it eliminated. There is a fear that the elimination of the insurance will mean no insurance, no protection for pre-existing conditions, children being covered till 26, and related provisions. It would seem better if the Affordable Care Act were updated rather than eliminated throwing people out of coverage.
3
I don't think it is Trump's base that will appreciate the dismantling of the ACA.
This cruel decision to abruptly end millions of Americans' health care and do away with the much-appreciated rule of not penalizing Americans with pre-existing conditions has the mark of the Koch Brothers all over it.
How much money have those 2 multibillionaires put into trying to get rid of government supported health care for older people and for those who do not have employer based health insurance.
263
@PB
It does actually seem weird that the Koch brothers would want to reduce the number of potential patients and/or reduce need for new healthcare facilities. One of Koch Industries companies is Georgia Pacific. So is their involvement an actual fact or an assumption?
Also- one of the Koch brothers supports healthcare reform while the other does not. (Supposedly, so they say). But again this makes sense when they are profiting from it.
6
@PB: I agree that this move has the Koch brothers and their supporters all over it. All involved seem to forget that many in Trump's base are enrolled in ACA. The billionaires in the base don't care, but someone should.
Trump's whims are ruining this country. It s very telling that the AG, HHS, and Pence (who is not known for disagreeing with Trump, to put in mildly), voiced concerns about moving ahead without a plan to help the "millions who could be left suddenly uninsured."
21
@PB, I doubt that the Trump voters, with their silly red caps, realize that they now have Medicaid coverage for their opioid addictions.
They just know that they hated the previous, qualified, president.
41
I guess there was someone who suggested to Mr. Trump a National Emergency for the border wall, just to do a good job for his/her boss technically. This is the same, which has been a fundamental scheme of this administration, good or bad.
1
I took my son to see a Dr today & after the diagnosis we both lamented the state of the health insurance market where, despite insane premiums, less & less is covered. He said that for the most part a Dr recovers 25c on the dollar through the deals struck with insurance companies, which he admitted is totally fine as the charges are completely inflated. He then paused and said, the bigger issue is of course when someone without health insurance receives a non insurance discounted bill.
7
@SW and the even-bigger issue is whatever happened to human decency.
6
I am dumbfounded that the president's so-called base has failed to realize that Trump is out to demolish their lives.
While I might understand why his base voted for him in 2016, his behavior and legislative actions are solely intended to benefit the donor class, not the folks who wear those MAGA hats and shout about building the wall.
Please do not re-elect this man for a second term. He is, with or without intent, going to ruin this great country of ours!
22
The irony is blinding; why can't Trump's base see that Mulvaney's so-called claim of doing their bidding is exactly what will cripple - and kill - them in the end?
I feel ill to think of the ever-worsening health (mental and physical) of our southern neighbours. And no, the pun was not intended.
I wish that Democrats could find a fast and fair way to educate the hoodwinked.
13
@Canuck Lit Lover "I feel ill to think of the ever-worsening health (mental and physical) of our southern neighbours." ... not to mention THEIR northern neighbours.
Kenneth, who are THEIR northern neighbors? Penguins?
"Vice President Mike Pence was worried about the political ramifications of moving ahead without a strategy or a plan to handle the millions who could be left suddenly uninsured if the suit succeeded." The political ramifications, nothing about the human toll. Remember that the next time Mike Pence seeks any elective office.
42
@CH Pence will lead the "Thoughts and prayers" crowd
9
My poetic comment (previously published) still applies:
Trumpty Dumpty’s at it again,
He’ll take away health care & call it a WIN.
Forget pre-existing - goodbye Medicaid,
Do Trumpty’s supporters know they are being played?
29
@NotGivingUp If they were smart enough to know that, they wouldn't have been his supporters in the first place.
7
Once one sees the 2011 video of Trump stating his reason for taking revenge on people, you can understand why he want to destroy health care. He's taking vengeance on the American People for his loss of the House. When will this end?
26
@MW
When? you ask. Well, some of us have 2020 vision.
3
My typical patients experience. Employer base insurance works great. It pays well for those minor illnesses you could really afford out of pocket anyway.
Then bad luck - you become really sick and can’t work. Then sick time runs out. Then the COBRA insurance you spent all your emergency saving on runs out. Then you are uninsured and sick. Finally, the illusion of safety net that is the American Medical System dawns on you, and you become a Bernie Sanders supporter. Too late! Try to stay healthy. Or move to Europe before you become ill.
35
@Dr. TLS Perhaps that is the case in your state, Texas. I would ask you to look at my state, NY, and push your state government to emulate us in terms of healthcare. That unemployed person in NY State would most likely be eligible for Medicaid under the ACA expansion, which TX won't participate in, though it would help millions of Texans. If not Medicaid, that unemployed person would be eligible for a low-cost ACA-compliant plan, based on the person's MAGI (modified adjusted gross income), which would be low if only income consists of UI benefits. I do know several people who became unemployed in NYS and were able to access either Medicaid or a low-cost, but very comprehansive policy, and thus not forego needed healthcare during unemployment. Again I urge you tomcontact your state's elected office holders.
2
So many of Trump's follies, from locking children in cages and massive tax cuts for the rich to unproductive trade wars and snubbing our allies in favor of autocratic dictators, have perhaps by the "luck of the Irish," not blown up in his face.
This one will.
18
Trump is a puppet President. He doesn't think, he simply reacts and is easily duped. It's obvious his staff knows that by heating up the room, they can prevent him from thinking and he agrees with their advice. He's a puppet. Really.
20
But a very dangerous puppet.
10
@PATRICK No. Puppets simply follow when the strings are pulled. This guy actually thinks he's the one pulling the strings.
2
I wonder is the new greatest in the history of humans health care plan on the same napkin with the greatest in the history of the Middle East Peace Plan. Lets see they are against protecting those with preexisting conditions, maternity, natal care, and just about every other illness or condition known. So, what is this plan if you are rich there it is can't afford then drop dead. Of course what I love is the Base clapping like seals as they leave and get a letter which says they no longer are insured. But, hey must be Obama or Hillary's fault. As a sidenote to his victory dance the state of New York and the Southern Federal District of the City of New York have several investigations ongoing under the RICCO Act. Jim Trautman
11
You know you have a serious problem when Kevin McCarthy is the voice of reason.
25
So where's the Mueller investigation report? This mass hysteria generating attempt at deceptive distraction worked. We all know no judges in their right mind are going to aid the killing of health care. You are all distracted by flashing shiny daily crazy political confusion. It's all a scam by the experts at propaganda.
9
The Republican government is no government at all. They are supposed to be caring for Americans but they are only interested in being personally rich. We are living with a pack of fascists holding the people hostage and punishing the needy. The president is a corrupt tyrant who has betrayed democracy.
No other country in Europe allows health insurance companies and pharmaceutical rape the populace with prices. Medicine in America for example costs 10 times what it costs in Canada and in Europe it is cheaper still. I know this by personal experience.
12
Trump claimed just before his inauguration that he was putting final touches on his "better, cheaper health care plan for everyone." That plan must be the best kept secret of the administration, to be released upon total demolition of the ACA or, it is just possible, Trump did not tell the truth. Personally, I go with the latter.
24
Be appalled, yes. But also be assured that taking this stance will be the final nail in the coffin of an already DOA presidency. There will be no coming back from this. 11-3-20.
18
@Michael
I surely hope you are right.
7
@Charley horse We all have to band together to make sure I’m right. Speaking out, voicing our concerns, reading up on and actively putting our support behind the candidate(s) we feel are in the best position to win. The majority knows that what has been happening since Jan. 2017 is very wrong and extremely harmful. We must not be silent until we have collectively moved to correct the mistake, and then throw our support behind 46th, who will need our input and show of faith to clean up the mess and steer the ship back on course into a better future.
1
It is Christmas in March for the Democrats. Health care is THE defining issue for the American electorate at this time and the massive cohort of baby boomers will be 4 years older in 2020 than 2016. If Obama Care is stricken down and 20 million people lose their insurance without an alternative provided, then it will be one horror story after another on the news day after day of people suffering and dying from having lost their health insurance.
15
Great idea mr president. Repeal and come up with something better and cheaper sometime in the future. After all, look how well it's going in the UK these days after the Brexit vote.
14
If this isn't obstruction of justice…
10
Trump and Mulvaney want to see Obamacare completely erased because “this is what their base wants.”
I wonder if it’s the same base that wants to get rid of Obamacare, but likes and wants to keep the Affordable Care Act (as many of them have said to various interviewers and poll-takers).
29
For Trump it has nothing to do with healthcare policy and everything to do with trying to erase any legacy of his predecessor.
Trump will go to his grave knowing in his heart but not wanting to believe that he was a fraud, a total charlatan, an empty suit. The truth is, Donald Trump has never, will never, and could never be one tenth the president that was Barack Obama.
Meanwhile, how sad for the American people that we have to suffer so mightily because of Trump's thin-skinned insecurity, vindictiveness and jealous rages. It would be comical if it weren't so deadly serious.
27
“If the Supreme Court rules that Obamacare is out, we’ll have a plan that is far better than Obamacare,”
Okay, Don, let's see that plan.
You & your party have been promising "something better" for a decade now. Show us.
Isn't it odd that "Obamacare" was actually a Republican idea? What exactly is the issue?
Show us you new idea, Donald. Now. This is not something you can "roll out" later.
Unless you have something ready to go the day the ACA is outlawed, you will be putting peoples lives at risk. Some will die. (you will be responsible.) This is not an exaggeration.
22
Anyone who wants to get rid of Obamacare can prove their commitment by giving up health insurance for themselves and their family and risk the financial ruin and lousy health care that they would like to inflict on their fellow Americans.
16
We do not have a President. We have Donald Trump.
16
Mulvaney would do that. He is a tea-party Republican from South Carolina.
7
In Japan, where I live, everyone has health insurance. You can pick your own doctors, there’s no long waits, co-pays are cheap, and you’d never get prescribed opioids unless you were staying in the hospital (hospital stays are a couple hundred a night, covered by insurance of course).
My mother in-law had facial reconstruction surgery after a bout with cancer that required a 12-hour surgery and a month-long stay in the hospital. Total out of pocket cost: less than $2,000.
My wife and I pay 20% income tax on a combined income of 90K. My wife has to pay for her own insurance, as she’s not a dependent, and it’s about $200/month. My work pays 60% of my insurance (both plans include a modest pension benefit), and I pay $300/month to cover myself and our daughter.
The ignorance of the American right is malicious and dangerous.
42
New York Times: please summarize for us what the Trump administration has done so far that impacts ordinary Americans. Who is benefiting? Who isn’t? What are the long term implications?
Then summarize what they propose to do with the same metrics and questions. Killing Obamacare is one act that is being addressed in terms of impacts - what is Trump proposing to replace it?
We need a running tally of how Trump is changing our lives now and in the future. The big picture.
He keeps our attention span in sync with his, which is nanoseconds. The fact based media needs to step back and regularly take stock.
14
A Republican-controlled Congress couldn’t repeal or replace the Affordable care Act. The attempt was an important reason why “we the people” voted to out Democrats in control of the House. So now the President is turning to the Courts to what Congress would not do. I thought Republicans disapproved of using the courts to do their job - to legislate. I’d call them hypocrits but they have turned their backs on so many of ther principles that the word no longer has any meaning when applied to them.
15
Considering one of the top issues in the 2018 election was healthcare, go ahead Trump and the GOP, pull the rug from under the American people and see how that works for you in 2020. Even Trump's base won't be able to save him from this.
4
I propose that all Federal employees (in particular, elected officials) no longer have access to gold plated private Federal Healthcare policies, but have to purchase their healthcare on the market based system they implement
9
@DavidPun
Since federal employees do not earn what private sector employees earn for the same type work, perhaps your idea does not have any merit.
1
@DavidPun Let's change it to Congress, not all Federal employees. Whatever Congress votes for the rest of us should be good enough for them too. And while we're at it, let's pay Congress people the median wage in the state they represent.
5
Wait. They will do it but not have it go into effect until 2021, after Trump's second coronation. Someone will be smart enough to be sure his base doesn't experience the affect during the presidential campaign. Those on ACA plans will have no clue that they are about to loose it.
The messaging failure here was the fault of the Obama administration. Obama failed to stand up for his landmark accomplishment by clarifying that the ACA = "Obamacare", so labeled by the GOP to keep people from wanting it. Not even the Democratic governor of Kentucky made it clear that people who signed up for Kynet were signing up for the ACA.
Please let this be a lesson to us for the future. Don't let the Republicans and their donors get the first word. It tends to stick. Think about how you want a policy to be perceived and label it from day one.
And, yes, folks. They really are evil enough to leave millions of citizens without health care. It saves tax money. The treasury belongs - like the spoils of war - to the victors.
8
“His base of voters would love it.”
Well, good. Let his “base of voters” pay for it then. When those of us kicked off health insurance because we have pre-existing conditions can’t get medical care, we’ll all just go to the ER. “The base” can make massive donations to the hospitals to cover those expenses. Then I’m sure they’ll be happy to watch their premium costs, dedictibles and co-pays double or triple in a year or two because someone has to pay for this. I’m sure each and every one of them works full-time at a company large enough to offer full-coverage health care. And not a single one of them has a pre-existing health condition.
Yeah, right. Glad I have to put my life at risk to make “the base” happy.
13
Trump has no plan other than to eradicate the last major vestige of Obama's administration. He really doesn't care if nothing is there to replace the Affordable Care Act. He'll leave it to the Republicans to come up with something...anything. Watch the lemmings follow the lead lemming over the cliff. I just hope the American people don't suffer before sanity is restored in Congress.
10
It is absolutely scandalous that the President of the United States would even consider a law which would so obviously deprive millions of people of health insurance. Health insurance in a developed country (and I believe the US still falls into that category for the time being) is a basic human right. If that is called socialism, so be it. But the US would send a terrible signal to its own people and the rest of the world: if we don't even care about our own voters, why would we care what's happening overseas? Divide and destroy is the only strategy the WH seems to know.
14
Trump better hope that the dog doesn’t catch the car. Killing the ACA without a replacement will doom the GOP.
4
@Bruce Thomson
Killingthe ACA will doom the GOP.
Best argument ever for getting rid of it.
Trump's replacement for Obamacare is so great is that Mexico will pay for it. Hey, hey successfully conned his base before, why not for 2020 too.
He will then divert billions from the military to allegedly cover his amazing health care plan that Mexico won't pay for, and pay it to himself. He's con artist! What does anyone expect from this guy? Is anyone tracking where the billions for the wall are really going?
8
Among those with concerns was Pat Cipollone, the White House counsel, who shared that the new attorney general, William P. Barr, opposed such a move. Vice President Mike Pence was concerned about the political ramifications of moving ahead without a strategy or a plan to handle the millions who could be left suddenly uninsured if the suit succeeded.
Barr was against this move but did it anyway. How does that reflect on any influences that played a role in his Mueller report summary? And Mike Pence, savior of the unborn, was more worried about political ramifications of this bonehead move than the actual health consequences that would affect tens of millions of Americans, NOT just the ones on an ACA subsidized plan. When are folks going to clue in that this would take away the essential protections for all health care plans? Just as the courts are now considering the standing of young people in the fight to counter climate change, we should all have standing to fight this ripping away of a basic human right. People would be faced with death, doom or bankruptcy.
13
If this is so important why haven't they done anything since they shot themselves in the feet before the midterms?
It is a diversion to refocus teh base away from the fact that the Mueller report is not a good thing for the president starting with his stooge Barr even telling us Mueller said the lack of charges does not exonerate the president.
5
For once, Mike Pence had the right argument. If you get rid of ObamaCare, what will replace it? Trump, who can't think ahead as far as his nose, will face an uprising if OBC is pulled.
2
After Trump destroys the ACA, can we then move on to “Infrastructure Week?”
3
Mick is obviously a Democratic operative.
Pure genius!
Go Mick, make our day.
4
Mullvaney's idea of "claiming the issue for themselves" is to obliterate ACA without having a replacement for it?! Only an extremist ideologue like Mick could view this as an acceptable approach to governance. He will do more damage to Trump and the Republican brand than Mueller or Schiff could have ever done. Trump is so blinded by his hate of anything associated with Obama that he will once again walk off this cliff with eyes wide shut. It is beyond surreal for him to keep asserting that the Republicans will replace ACA with something better. Even for the king of lies this is a bridge too far.
10
This is the non-logic of the trumpublicans.
Eliminate the right to abortion, and if possible, make birth control illegal.
Then eliminate pregnancy and maternal care from standard insurance coverage, so the extra coverage premiums are affordable only by the .01%.
Then loudly scream the trumpublican party is not anti-women.
Right...
10
Trump does what his "base" wants - or what Putin wants - purely to feed his ego. The other 75% of the nation (and the rest of the planet) can go pound sand.
I'm all for holding off on impeachment, and letting the GOP run this madman in 2020. They won't see power again for a generation.
6
@Jim Demers: to avoid unhealthy levels of disappointment, you really need to lower your expectations.
1
@Checker Fine . . . half a generation, then.
1
In a country that was built on freedom to the people . This concept is something the Democrats better left up to them to decide. Unfortunately Congress never dealt with this issue so let the courts decide. I would think the left would be happy considering how many lawsuits they have filed against pres. Trump? I'm glad to see more of the previous administration blunders disappeared. What a disgrace, Obama blaming the previous administration for everything and then taking credit from the next administration this is Obama's legacy, the worse President
And I hear that Nixon has a secret plan to end the war in Vietnam.
5
Once again he sides with his base when he is supposed to be the president of the US.
6
I suspect the GOP/Trump health care plan is to set us all up with go fund me accounts.
14
Trump and his minions are contemptible. There is no other word that fits them so extraordinarily well. (The minions include, by the way, the Republican members of Congress, who will go along with Trump because they always put Party over people and certainly over principle).
9
Arguably there are more important issues facing the nation, but can we please stop misusing the term "double-down?" In Blackjack, where the term derives from, you double-down when you have an advantage, not when you are in a hole. The Times (and other outlets) unfailingly use it to describe someone pursuing a policy that has not been successful, but instead of abandoning it they are sticking with a losing strategy. Trump can't "double-down" on healthcare -- healthcare has killed him.
3
Bring it on. May very well cost him 2020 election, and cost GOP Senate seats.
5
The GOP is just doing what their sponsors, our billionaire American Oligarchs, have ordered.
9
Reality Check obama care was biggest tax increase in history of usa an most people dont get why. Think about this thought,everyone i mean every one canel there health care. Watch how fast the cost goes down if no one to pay the insurance premiums. Making it manditory is totally illegal in free system. So guess people dont care if they are free .
Free system? Fine! I don’t want fire fighters, police, sanitation, I don’t want to bail out banks, AIG I just wanna be free.
4
@jerry lee what tax increase are you talking about. Please be specific. The Net Investment Tax imposed on investment earnings in excess of $250,000? The rate is 3.8%.
2
Think about this in terms of how this serves Trump.
Trump wants to divert attention away from the Mueller report. What better way than to threaten the lives of millions of Americans?
8
One can always count on Trump to do the most chaotic and destructive thing possible. It's his special NPD gift.
11
Republican voters were so easily duped by their leaders since 2010 after Obamacare became law. The leaders actually convinced their followers to vote for them to take away their health care and insurance. That's the facts. Brainwashing by rote works and Republicans are expert at it.
10
Trump: Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
8
Of course, the base would want him to fight the ACA act of healthcare, because the base is probably already on one of government healthcare plans that are free, or mostly free, like Medicaid for 75 million, which has no premium, and is set to run out of enough money to pay all the bills in less than 3 years. Then, there is Medicare, that serves 60 million, which only has a premium for Part B, not Part A Hospital, that is set to run out of enough money to pay all the bills in less than 11 years. Then, there is Veterans, which serves over 9 million, also no premium, running out of money, and current military 2 million free healthcare, etc. In other words," I've got mine, but you can't have your free, almost free healthcare or subsidized healthcare." What a disgrace, as there is no replacement plan, for all Americans to have really good healthcare. DT, was a con artist from the start. He said, "No one will lose coverage, there will be insurance for everybody. Healthcare will be a lot less expensive for everyone-------the government, consumers, providers." Yeah, right?! Dream on, DT, and Republicans!!!!
7
I have a great idea ... Trump should only look to his"base" for taxes. I am reaching the point where I refuse to pay my hard-earned money to this (obviously condescending) regime to pay for little more than a bigger an bigger military! Let his MAGA-heads make up the difference.
15
So does Mick Mulvaney now get to be the fall guy?
3
Trump acts like a sociopath who enjoys hurting people. If successful, his attempt to kill Obamacare will kill thousands of people. Meanwhile his lackey, Billy Barr, joins a long list of sycophants who soil themselves in the service of this sad and sick President.
14
I thought Trump promised more than merely repealing ACA. He said he would replace it with a program that was both better and less expensive. Why is that part of his promise not mentioned in the article? Is this nitpicking? I think not.
10
@David Pincus
Are you for real? Trump is a world class liar. He says anything that comes to mind. He has no intention of having a healthcare plan. Have you not forgotten about the wall Mexico is going to pay for?
4
It is critically important that journalists accurately report what Trump promised. In my view, this article was remiss in failing to mention Trump promised a better plan.
1
I think what's been made clear again and again is that Mr Trump likes to be liked, loves to be loved.
Look, he wants to nullify ACA because doing so will make make his base happy with him. Sensible alternatives? No. Immediate political outlook? He doesn't care.
Now, if ACA is as robust and sensible as its proponents claim it to be, and since Medicare-for-All is a non-starter, it's hard to see Mr Trump coming up with anything other than ACA in substance unless he wants to go back to the pre-ACA era.
That means he'll destroy Obamacare, then make something eerily similar that is called TrumpCare. Political theater, yes, but that's what he does. And being liked by the audience.
5
As soon as he realizes that this will help the democrats, he will reneg or fix it so it doesn't hurt his voters. It will only apply to the blue states, just like with the tax cut that penalized the blue states. And as soon as he figured out that the tariffs hurt the base, he discovered the wonders of socialism and gave them a generous subsidy using the blue states tax dollars that we send to the fed.
11
He’s bringing up this crazy idea in order of diverting the conversation away from him being “cleared” of collusion charges, and he’s succeeding in this diversion.
5
I suppose it might be a choice by the authors, but it is astounding that there isn't even mention of the enormity of a DOJ refusing to defend current law WITHOUT EVEN AN EXPLANATION.
Republicans will, no doubt, point to Holder and others for failing to defend bans on same-sex marriage. But the difference -- and it is an enormous difference -- is that Holder and others laid out explicit arguments about the unconstitutionality of those bans. Under Barr, the DOJ could muster only two sentences of simple notification.
The DOJ is broken.
15
The word "doubled down" has way to much of a positive spin for what Trump does.
Sure he's "keeping his promise" to the base - part of the promise - the part where he said he would destroy Obamacare.
That part of the promise that seems to have slipped his mind is that he promised to provide a health care plan, a better one than anyone had ever seen. He has no such thing.
The threat to take away the ACA is already causing millions of citizens anxiety -- and also leaving medical insurers and providers up a tree insofar as planning even for the near future.
Using the DOJ to support his mania when the GOP could not come up with a plan when it had full control of the federal government is one more expansion of executive authority.Yes he's allowed to direct the AG in this way -- but in this case, this thwarts the will of the people who elected new members of Congress.
Mad King Donald is on a roll. In the Upshot comment section, someone cynically noted that this - removing access to health and medical care for millions - sounds like a plan to cull the members of the working class because they are superfluous, an inconvenient problem for the elites.
6
Why is anyone shocked about this?
The Republican Party is not conservative or even reactionary.
It is radical.
The non-Republicans in this country had better awaken to this very dangerous reality.
10
Me. Trump’s base is not the majority of people. That is something to remember. They are a minority with a loud-mouthed spokesman. But they are very much a minority and growing smaller each day.
12
Want to see how a healthy country handles health care? Go to YOuTube and watch the Parliament of Scotland at First Minister's Questions.
They argue whether the ruling party is spending enough for health care, if enough nurses are on duty, if the country is doing all it can for the poor and powerless.
Meanwhile, here in the good old USof A, we argue over how many poor people to kill, in effect, as we take away their health care. We argue as to how many children we can deprive of a good education so charter schools can help make the rich, much richer.
Hugh Massengill, Eugene Oregon
18
Why does the right wing hate people so much? spanky and the little minds he has appointed are determined to ruin this country. barr seems more and more like a person with no intellect, morals, ethics, principle or shame. He fits in perfectly with spanky and his crowd. Wake up people and VOTE DEMOCRATIC.
10
If you combine this idiotic approach to healthcare reform (torch the ACA with no replacement in mind) with Senator Lee's mocking of climate change on the Senate floor and Secretary DeVos's contention that funding the Special Olympics is a waste and those dollars should go to charter schools.....you have an accurate picture of today's Republican Party. President Lincoln must be so proud.
15
Wasn't Mulvaney the architect of the government shutdown? He's the best thing to happen to the Democrats. Go Mick!
9
My boyfriend predicted this was the method to the madness this morning before the article came out.
If this lawsuit gets appealed past the 5th circuit to SCOTUS,
this plan of Trump's could work. SCOTUS with Vengeful Brett could back the administration. Dismantling the ACA will cause chaos and severely damage the Democrats' brand once Trump starts his twitter blame spell. Whether we want to hear it or not, these lies seep into our brains. Then Trumpcare will swoop in. We'll all have crummier health care but think we're getting a favor because with the ACA ruined we won't know any better. And he gets re-elected in 2020.
Then citizens with short memories will buy those useless $150/month private plans again and find out again that they have no useful insurance. Preexisting condition people will get dumped again. They will all just go to the ER, which dumps the unpaid bills onto taxpayers and the insured again. And then another decade or so will pass with these Repuglicans in power and the world will be reordered into a sicker place.
Sounds like a Wall will be built around healthcare to keep out the poor.
5
Here is what Mick Mulvaney - head of OMB (still) and CPFB (have his hands been pried off this position?) and now acting WH chief of staff (what's he running for? dictator?) thinks of taxation:
*From the Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Request:
"Taking money from someone without an intention to pay it back is not debt. It is theft. This budget makes it clear that we will reverse this larceny."
Why exactly would someone with such a limited view of government seek the jobs he has?
Trump isn't the only one with empathy problems.
4
Sigh..... a large segment Trump's base hates "Obamacare" and desperately relies on the "Affordable Care Act", without ever even realizing that *it is the same thing*.....
Talk about cutting one's nose off to spite one's face..
9
All the base hears is the word “Obama.” The “care” part (the part that most of the middle-to-lower class base REALLY desperately wants and needs) is lost in the shuffle. Like you said, when they hear “ACA” or the “Affordable Care Act,” they think (rightfully) that it’s something that they need and want. Trump isn’t as dumb as people think. He plays on this political reality over and over again to his unfortunate advantage.
3
Mick Mulvaney has been given too much power as head of the OMB.
3
"We're going to make you pay! Every. Single. One of you!!!", Donald Trump to the citizens of the United States.
3
How many women, minorities, poor folks were in that room? How many privileged White men were there?
8
Health care? Republicans? Get outa here! The only care repubs know or care about is wealth care.
8
My dad was a good friend and army buddy to your former man in Japan and my Godfather, Dick Halloran.
I am personally in favour of having Obamacare, since it is the best we have today. But I would also want to put the onus back on the voters. Since its inception, general public has discounted the importance of healthcare by continuously voting for Republicans, quite significantly in 2010, and again and again thereafter.
Republicans have constantly voted against Obamacare and been very clear on this particular issue quite consistently. If they are still being elected then so be it, go back to the pre-Obamacare days and let the other states follow Massachusetts if they want to.
3
@VS. Please, please stop using the term Obamacare, and instead use the real name, the Affordable Care Act, or the ACA.
1
Moving forward with ripping the ACA apart will have serious consequences for Republicans in 2020. President Obama’s signature health care law has had majority support since 2017 and the GOP continues its efforts to wreck the ACA despite polls showing that voters want them to stop doing so. Health care was the signature issue Democrats ran on in 2018 and it proved evidently successful; the midterms featured historic wins for Democratic candidates, with some taking House seats that Republicans had held for decades, like when Kendra Horn ousted Steve Russell in OK-05. If the Democrats were able to accumulate such astounding victories in one election season over one major issue, and the circumstances over that issue are the same now as they were two years ago, then think about what could happen in 2020.
3
Majority of Americans prefer ACA to no choice at all. trump doesn’t care what the majority wants...thus no healthcare but we are getting a wall only he wants. He doesn’t care what Americans want..it is all about him. His will be a legacy of crime, corruption, debt & death.
4
The dumber and more venal the action, the more certain you can be that Trump was directly involved.
11
Continued proof that "Everything Trump Touches Dies".
11
@Lee
:-\ He's the ultimate vulture capitalist!
3
From Cato the Elder ending every speech with "Carthage must be destroyed", which it eventually was, to William Wilberforce and the abolition of slavery to Hitler's focus on leading Germany through to President Trump it is interesting to see how institutional arrangements can be swept aside by a single determined individual. This is not a judgement of good or ill but rather the exercise of power.
Through whatever methods are necessary President Trump appears to be bending the whole political framework to his will, as recently witnessed by Pentagon money for his border wall and now his continued assault on Obamacare. Although many of his actions may be malign there is no doubting his effectiveness.
To be only a bit melodramatic, Trump is making his party the Party of Death (as in "death panel").
4
These guys, led by Mulvaney, remind me of Orwell's "Animal Farm." They will happily rip each other's throats out to curry favor with the president to affect their own agenda. I knew Mulvaney was a scamp from the start. They all are, but Mulvaney best characterizes the kind of personality in which this White House has evolved.
5
Trump has no mind of his own. He steals other's ideas.
Years back, the idea to repatriate American manufacturing? That was me here.
Tariffs? That was my dumb idea that Ryan called "Duties" instead right after I wrote about the idea here. It was my stupidity to think it would be good, but Republicans used tariffs to offset their damage to the budget by their big theft of Tax Cuts and reform.
Getting rid of NAFTA? That was my idea here years back. Trump used it. I had claimed that manufacturing left our nation because NAFTA allowed them to make more money by manufacturing in foreign lands cheaper and benefiting from tariff free importing.
America First? I brought the idea to this forum, an old idea, but Trump used it after I wrote it.
Coal? My coal invention of February 1977 was stolen and I was nearly killed and currently sitting on it so it doesn't kill people, refusing to allow it's use. It was published in "Popular Science" in the early or mid-80's after I lost the paperwork.
Trump's claim that the Republicans will be the party of health care is the best example of what a thief he is.
The South is Rising again and Trump is their militant puppet backed by Russia. Mulvaney, Graham; South Carolina. The Republican Revolution proclaimed by Newt Gingrich; Georgia.
The South is rising again and Trump is duped.
The Republicans killed my dad, a vital witness to my coal invention and other criminal matters. They are in with the mob. So is the C.I.A.
1
The article was very focused on the actual meeting so it left out discussing the real reason why Trump is so anxious to trash Obamacare. He's still seething and mad that Obama made fun of him at the WH Correspondent's dinner. Never will forget the look of deep hatred on Trump's face toward Obama. Trump otherwise doesn't care about healthcare - he just wants to stick it to Obama because he's petty. (And that is his finest quality!)
8
Maybe it should be referred to as the ACA from now on. Rather than painting a bullseye on it.
3
@James
Go ahead and name it "trumpcare". And, build the wall but only make it one mile long. Then as soon as a Democrat gets elected, rename it back to "Obamacare", tear down the wall and sell chunks of it on e-bay.
2
Blame Mulvaney if you will, but the bottom line is that Trump cannot get the dramatic and very courageous picture of John McCain with his thumb down in Congress. He could care less that all Americans will pay for his revenge to McCain, that is, if he gets away with it..
9
I just love watching a good car accident. Who cares what is in the Muller Report. Trump can destroy the whole Republican Party without being impeached.
4
this is the first potus , I recall whose appointments of cabinet members ,are people who in every case ,i loathe .I loathe all of Trump's acolyte's and cabinet picks too , they're despicable , except for labor
5
Attorney General Ken Paxton of Texas said the the Judges "ruling enjoining Obamacare halts an unconstitutional exertion of federal power over the American health care system."
Everyday is an unconstitutional exertion of Presidential power by a corrupt President and the Republican hypocrites.
4
I’m appalled by the idea that these GOP White House lackeys are eager to strip millions of Americans of healthcare which will result in many, many deaths and much suffering. All to satisfy Trump’s petty need to disparage Obama & keep a campaign promise very few voters actually want?
475
@Kathryn Aguilar
It isn't as if they would not be ecstatic about doing that. its that this rhetoric is about diversion away from focusing on the Mueller report.
19
@Kathryn Aguilar
Trump's actual campaign promise was to repeal Obamacare while replacing it with a new plan which would give quality health coverage to every American at lower cost than Obamacare. He claimed to have this plan ready to go.
His current plan is to kill Obamacare while replacing it with nothing except even higher profits for medical industry.
51
@Kathryn Aguilar, I wonder how many of Trump's voters are:
1. getting treatment for opioid use, or
2. on Medicaid, to which they got access because their state expanded access to Medicaid
Of course, many people were virulently opposed to 'Obamacare', while also in favor of "the Affordable Care Act".
They aren't very bright.
49
My mother paid her bills for years... then six months into 2017, Cigna cancelled her, out of the blue, when she had a string of surgeries--a couple that had already been completed and two more scheduled for the end of the year. Mid-contract, with six months renaming, they sent back all her payments for the year and told her she never had insurance for that year and that the bills accumulated are now hers. Nevermind that she had already paid her yearly deductible in full...
She had to borrow a large amount of money to pay a lawyer on the off chance that she might find justice... after more than a year of trying to find a contingency lawyer for this situation. Those lawyers don't exist.
The bottom line is, the ACA is essentially non-existent now. Insurers can do whatever they want with you and your account, at any time and for any reason. And then it's on YOU to find representation, to file with the courts, to pay pay pay pay pay... with time and money... on the off chance that MAYBE you will get reimbursed and finally find justice... years later after all your medical issues have become worse.
Which is what happened with my mother. She's in even worse medical shape, in limbo between much needed procedures, two years later with no insurance, hoping she didn't throw bad money after good on a lawyer...
It's only a matter of time before it's you or someone you love.
492
@J
Approximately 40 years ago, I marched into the Beloit Memorial Hospital Administrator's office and demanded to know why their billing office was harassing my mother, a retired nurse who had recently been celebrated at that same hospital and had since suffered a diabetic amputation, with payment demands. The response was, "we are calling the police." Medicine has been a shady business for a long time and remains so today. It's way overdue for a new model.
88
@J So, how does throwing out the ACA improve your mother or anyone else's position?
33
The expression "Dickensian" no longer applies to 19th century England. It now describes the USA under Trump and the GOP :Arcane, and full of Suffering.
95
US urban hospitals and medical offices just get fancier and bigger and more tech imbued and inaccessible while the quality of care gets worse every day. Meanwhile, the marketing arms of these so-called healthcare providers are in overdrive. The last thing we need is more "competition". We need a system that is NOT profit-driven and is fair to human doctors, nurses and patients, not the middlemen - insurance vultures, stockholders, overbearing medical records systems that diminish and dehumanize healthcare for every component except their well-fed employees. Our present system is an "Epic" disaster, in my opinion.
I would love to see a simple, blow-by-blow comparison of the actual process and quality of care experienced by people of differing income levels under our current system vs. Canada's. This, plus a policy primer on the demographic impacts of ACA, and "Medicare for All", geared to a 2nd grade level of comprehension, so Trump's base and the rest of us can get a clearer picture of reality, not argue about smoke and mirrors. Currently, I don't think many of us know what we're talking about. I know I don't understand the system now, or the systems proposed. All we know is we don't like the other party's ideas. And that's not good enough to win converts, nor votes. Substance and clarity is needed.
198
@Quite Contrary
About 3 months ago, my doctor recommended that I get a hysterectomy. It was scheduled to take place 4 weeks later. I stayed in the hospital in Vancouver for 2 nights after the laparoscopic procedure was completed. I'm 100% recovered now and have had 2 followups, one with the surgeon and another with my family doctor. The cost to me? I'd say about $34.00 which how much I pay on a monthly basis for health care in British Columbia.
31
@Quite Contrary
We in Canada do not understand the American approach to medical care, so please bear with me.
If I have any health issues I phone my doctor, get an appointment and the problem, whatever it is, is addressed. There is never any payment required. I was treated for spinal stenosis last year which involved X rays, CT scan and an MRI, appointment with neurologist, neurosurgeon and ultimately surgery (5 hours) repairing and fusing my spine followed by a 5 day stay in hospital and follow up care. All of which cost me nothing.
My provincial medical insurance is $23 per month.
We do pay a small amount more in personal tax, which is spread over all Canadian Taxpayers, but it amounts to much less than the premiums and co-pays that are paid in the US by individuals or their employers. It appears that the levels of profit taking in the American system contribute to prohibitive costs.
26
@Quite Contrary
I want to buy a piece of item from store i have price label.
Only dr and hospital has no price list .
What a shame .
All due to Insurance cos and Lobby by drs .
Even lawyers have no price list .
Before the ACA, my younger sister could not afford or find health insurance because of her diagnosis of epilepsy. After our parents passed away, her siblings (all 6 of us) contributed to the cost of her medication and health care.
Unbeknownst to us, she cut her medication by half in order to save money. She suffered a grand mal seizure and died - at the age of 24 - alone.
Is this what we want for our family, neighbors or friends? I am at a complete loss. What has happened to the people or the leaders of this country?
19
Sounds like Mulvaney and Republicans are more focused on politics than healthcare for Americans.
452
@glenn
"Sounds like"? The noise is deafening.
83
Of politics were the case, they’d KEEP Obamacare in place and leave it alone. No, this is about Trump hating Obama.
47
@glenn....and this move proves that they are lousy politicians.
24
I would love to see all US citizens covered by an affordable health care policy. I just can’t see how abolishing coverage for preexisting conditions, abolishing subsidy’s for the working poor, shrinking Medicaid and ending coverage for young adults on their parents plan is going to move us toward that direction.
As a Medicare recipient, which I pay a monthly premium for as well as paid into my entire working life, I know exactly what my policy covers. While not perfect, I do not have to live in fear of losing everything I have if I get sick. I don’t have to hesitate to see a physician or have routine health screenings. And I don’t have to use an emergency room for my primary care. Unlike many Americans who fear they will have to choose between medical care, life saving medications like insulin or epipens, or becoming bankrupt and homeless. That would be a priceless gift for every American.
Show us the plan to replace Obamacare that we have heard all republicans say for NINE years now. And Trump say over and over to his supporters. We’re anxiously waiting.
729
Don’t bother asking for a plan. Anything they offer will be a poison pill that causes more harm than good. We also know who it will benefit and who it will harm.
50
@Mathias
Probably so. I would like them to verbalize a plan so we can hold them to something. Not that I believe anything they say, but to make them play the game.
22
@Mathias
The only chatter in Republican politician corners so far seems to be about offering a plethora of junk policies. Cheaper sure and, they hope, enough citizens ignorant enough until it's too late when they find out all the policies won't cover when the time comes.
29
The only healthcare plan that the GOP cares about will give more control to the big insurance companies, therefore ensuring more profitability. They will offer very low cost plans that don't cover anything. Premiums and deductibles will soar. Of course, this will help the economy, but that is all they care about.
4
Of all the things our government could being discussing and doing to make Americans' lives better, taking away Americans' access to healthcare without a plan for the day after doesn't seem like it should rank as a priority.
874
@ChrisH
don't worry, big pharma and the insurance industry has had a plan all along.
36
@pamela
Actually, the insurance industry is wildly opposed to Trump's attempts to destroy the ACA.
33
@ChrisH
be best, i always say......
20
Since when does the President of the United States only work for his base and not the entire population????
1911
@krw, since about two and a half years ago.
178
2016
98
@krw 2016
77
Excuse me but why doesn’t Trump comes with this “better than Obamacare” plan now? Why do we have to wait till he destroys Obamacare?
258
Because that would make too much sense??
21
@Yoandel
Better than Obamacare means the same as Mexico will pay for the wall.
39
@Yoandel Because neither he or the GOP have one.
13
Why are they so intent to deny people meaningful access to healthcare?
179
@Syd
Because the top few percent don't need health insurance and those are the only people this administration really cares about.
19
@Syd
Because they can. Cruelty is a feature, not a bug.
12
@Syd
In short, insurance is a very big business now with lot's of people ( 4million ) and the people at the very top get compensated to the tune of 10 MM+ per year. Their job is to hire others to make sure your kids or you don't get coverage,because they get compensated for that.
https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payer/health-insurance-ceo-pay-tops-out-at-22m-2016
8
One needs to take this move by the Republicans and Trump as an unambiguous statement that this regime does not care about the well being of the American people. They don't care about you or me or the people in Nebraska or anywhere. They really, really don't. Health workers will tell you that the ACA has saved lives. People who had put off doctor visits could with the ACA , for example, have their breast cancer diagnosed in time to be treated. These are real people's lives these soulless people are affecting. It is a mistake by the press to discuss this direction by the Republicans and Trump in the context of a political move. This is an anti-social and deeply disruptive societal move based on no reason except the Republicans and Trump didn't like being led by a black President. We live in a country that no other country sees as an example for how to provide health access for not only the wealthy, but also for its most vulnerable. This is a shame on the United States of America. We used to stand for something good for the rest of the world. Now they look elsewhere.
311
@Rosemary Galette
At the root of Trump's Hate is all of President Obama's initiatives. Yes, you are right for 8 years the US was lead by a smart, intelligent "Black Man" . Trump and his bigoted tribe have not and will not accept any of Obama's programs. As far as I'm concerned let the Reps. muddle along and then kick the whole rotten gang out of office.
25
That Trump and republicans don’t like being led by a black president is spot on, it goes to the heart of the matter,unrelenting racial intolerance . With the addition of the apparently deliberate destructive rout of several agencies by friend Mick, the downhill trajectory of the USA as a country of principles and care for others continues apace. Those few Republicans who are committed to improving the ACA should be brave and make a strong case for retention of Obamacare but with obvious improvements. Why even the president’s previous suggestion that health insurers could operate across State lines is worthy of examination.
4
A common thread runs through Republican Party policy - thwart the will of the majority of Americans. Can’t get elected fair and square? Try dirty tricks a la Roger Stone and Paul Manafort. Openly invite a foreign nation to hack your adversary. Win the White House with a minority of the popular vote twice in less than two decades.
Can’t get even a simple majority vote for a stupid wall? Declare a bogus national emergency and abscond with the funds.
And now this. One of the primary duties of the Department of Justice is to protect and enforce the laws duly enacted by Congress - like the ACA. Can’t get Congress to repeal it? Lose scores of seats in the House, primarily because tens of millions of Americans rely on and support the ACA? No problem. Keep forum shopping until you can find a judge to nullify it, then muster the Department of (In)justice to lend its mighty hand.
If Trump’s ‘base’ supports repeal, they’re dumber than anybody ever imagined; because that ‘base’ is more dependent on the ACA, Medicaid and Medicare than any other demographic in America. The Republican Party would have us believe rural America wants guns to commit suicide with - as they do by the thousands at an alarming rate. Trade wars to drive farmers into bankruptcy. Willful ignorance of climate change while extreme weather heaps misery on the so-called ‘heartland.’ And now repeal of the social programs that keep millions of the members of the ‘base’ alive.
Maybe you CAN fool all of the people...
16
Hey, the President says the GOP is going to give us great health care. I’m all for it. That means:
1. No pre-existing condition rejections
2. Children can stay on parents insurance until 22 (at least).
3. Insurance portability across jobs
4. Low deductible.
5. Low out-of-pocket.
6. No lifetime caps.
7. Low monthly fee.
8. No one who currently has insurance losing it (even those on Medicaid).
I’m sure there is more to add.
Trump’s a genius. He sure is by-golly. Let’s see GOP. You’ve had 10 years to come up with a “great health care” plan. Do you release the plan on Monday?
11
So now Trump feels embolden to destroy anything and everything that might benefit working people. Everything for his rich family and friends and nothing for anyone else. Sad!
6
Never stop a political opponent when he is making a mistake.
5
Ahem . . . the Mueller report. Remember that or is that so yesterday? I mean, Trump is very good at deflecting and moving on. That's one of his strong points. That he does well. And so precise in his use of English, "far better than Obamacare." Stay tuned for the next deflection when he's asked for details
3
Deja vu all over again straight from the McConnell playbook to further divide the country. please report on how many veterans; survivors of mass shootings and widows and orphans depend on the ACA.
2
Health care is like the wall. If it's not there, people will notice. You can promise the Space Force and peace with North Korea all day long and people just trying to get by won't notice. You can give tiny tax cuts and gradually take them away, and people won't notice. But when they can't afford their doctor, they'll notice. Mulvaney's good on TV but he's not that good.
6
Pure spite.
And, of course, the people who will be hurt the most will be the people who supported Trump.
9
@MKlik
Good! They voted for it.
1
Of course Trump will come up with a better law. He freed up $18 mil by cutting the Special Olympics. That'll pay for the new health plan, with enough left over to build the wall.
Every Republican I know, from a former chief counsel to the House Judiciary Committee to the Republican election officials who man the polls at the local preciinct think that the federal government hads no role or place in health insurance or care. How, oh how, is the Republican Party supposed to become the party of health care? This is just more of Trump’s magical thinking.
7
And all this time I thought the Republicans were the infrastructure party...
3
My daughter got a job as an RN at at top rated Children’s Hospital this summer right after graduation at age 23. It is in the top 100 employers in the country. On the first day of Orientatation the first thing they said as they began the benefits presentation and sign up. For those of you who are under 26 and currently on your parents Healthcare plan ( even if you are married). We strongly urge you to stay on your parents plan. This is a benefit of the ACA ( Obamacare), which Insurance used to be lost at 22, only if you stayed in college and had not yet graduated. This saved my Daughter $55 bi weekly in premiums and cost me $2-6 to remain as family vs one plus one. That is over $1300 per year. Then the lowest deductible plan they had was $750/ yr. I have $0. My daughter has preexisting conditions, Migranes, Fibroids, female, birth control pills are free. Annual exams. Just premiums and deductibles save my daughter $2k plus. I told her to remain on my insurance she had to invest the full 15% in her Retirement plan at work, not the 3% mandatory or 5-6% for matching. But 15% of her $50k salary $7500. ( she still owed $990 at tax time only making $30 k last year instead of getting $300 refund from the previous yr.
The hospital saved $5-8k on each single person under 26 who stayed on the parents plan.
Over 70% of all patients at the Children’s Hospitals are on Medicaid and we are not an expansion state.
5
With the misguided thoughts Trump has on how his whole presidency has impacted most of Americans he and his minions proceed to try to tear apart anything we have that benefits us. He believes he is like Teflon Don. We all know what happened to him. Good riddance to bad president.
3
Oh jeez, now it is healthcare that is being attacked once again. Par for the course.
I just have one question. Can anyone name for me just one idea that has come from the Republican side which will benefit average Americans? Just one.
7
@Chris from PA-
One idea. “Trickle down economics”. Crumbs that fall from a billionaire’s plate will feed middle class America.
2
So wealthy elites in power (led by the selfish, billionaire Trump) are playing to a dwindling “base” who hate the ACA simply because it’s an Obama initiative.
This administration is planning to gut health insurance to the working poor, lower middle class families and eliminate significant health care protections for a 150 million people. This will make the US healthcare system and health outcomes far worse.
We need to move in the opposite direction towards providing health care for all. The majority of Americans actually want THAT outcome.
I find the animus, ignorance and divisiveness of this president and his administration absolutely appalling.
5
@Michael-
It isn’t ignorance. Wealthy elites (aka “private equity”) are heavily invested in healthcare (all levels), why a 3¢ aspirin is billed to you for $10 and why cancer drug regimens that cost $2,500 in Europe will cost (you) $250,000 here.
As for all the money spent on negative advertising against the ACA, it comes from those same elites heavily invested in healthcare. They are defending their investments.
As for all those millions of Americans who were persuaded by that advertising and the likes of Limbaugh and Faux News to reject the ACA — sad but true, “there’s a sucker born every minute”, a pithy observation attributed to P.T. Barnum although he denied ever saying it. Even so, it’s a long-established fact that the great mass of unexceptional Americans (who self-identify as “Republican”) can be persuaded to vote against their personal well-being and economic self-interest. Thomas Frank’s classic book about their self-betrayal, “What’s The Matter With Kansas?”, goes into it in great detail.
4
“If the Supreme Court rules that Obamacare is out, we’ll have a plan that is far better than Obamacare,”
Trump will leave tens of millions without coverage, destroy countless lives, and then claim that he has saved American health care, and give himself an "A+".
3
I just heard that 48% of Americans over 55 have no IRA or savings. 29% have some sort of pension. I'll make the grand assumption that many of these seniors are republicans, and they are in favor of killing the Affordable Care Act and Medicare and Social Security?
Wow, or I should say, No Wonder.
4
"The Republican Party will soon be known as the party of health care. You watch."
Yes, I will be watching. And I will believe it when I see it.
3
@Scott Werden
the party of health care....Not!
@Scott Werden
Republicans are economic and social beasts of prey, they are out to do harm and are not interested to promote the general Welfare of the nation.
They can't be trusted, they will break the social contracts with the people. What a nightmare this administration has become.
Medicare is no panacea for those of us who are living on little more than SS and have never earned six figures:
"CMS released their 3rd analysis of #MedicareAdvantage provider directories with little fanfare. They found "significant errors" and a 55% chance that a doctor's location will be correct."
"Medicare doesn't cover routine preventive dental care or more expensive dental services. 65% of beneficiaries don't have dental coverage and many go without needed care as a result, leading to delayed diagnosis of serious conditions, preventable infections and complications."
(Ditto eyecare and hearing, only worse.)
As for "nonprofit" medical providers? Please...
This just in from https://www.whitecoatinvestor.com/forums/topic/any-kaiser-tpmg-docs-here/:
"If you make more than 270k base salary, then you have to take that ugly lump sum makeup payment from the supplemental plan at age 65..."
"Medicare for all " does not begin to address the true needs and current suffering of the elderly underclass...but I'm terribly sorry about that ugly lump sum payment, Kaiser docs.
1
Most health insurance plans do not cover dental care. I can tell you as someone paying bills for two parents, Medicare is much simpler and more comprehensive that my employer provided plan, and exponentially better than private policies available on the market.
3
@Quite Contrary Now, you don't like Medicare either?
And you offer nothing in exchange... just like Mister Trump, who keeps forgetting that he himself has not one idea what his much-lauded "far better healthcare plan" would actually be.
And as for your link, it is to a forum of people who are simply spouting non-facts about healthcare. One wonders how long you had to search to find such a site that said exactly what you needed to hear. (Sadly, probably not long.)
1
@Quite Contrary Medicare is only good by American standards, it would never pass the smell test in any country in the EU. Only part A is free, b, c, and D and a supplemental cost extra and are expensive too and still without dental, eye and ear care.
Medicare is the high-risk pool, like being old and other such preexisting conditions. The patients no private sector insurance will take, no profit in it. So the lobbyists of the industry did not object to Medicare, part D is very profitable for the pharma industry.
Amazing, how good is insurance without covering prescription drugs? Only in America.
1
I don't know why everybody's saying that the Republicans don't have an alternate health plan to propose. Of course they do: Mitt Romney's health care plan for Massachusetts!!
Oh, wait...
4
"If the Supreme Court rules ACA unconstitutional" we have far better health-care? How is that, Mr. President?
ACA was very problematic for people who did not qualify for subsidies but it helped others, those with pre-existing conditions, for example. Please tell us your plan for a new healthcare law. I bet you don't have a plan. You smash things without offering a replacement.
3
I’m almost of the opinion the States that are supporting keeping the ACA should drop their opposition to the case and let the case be upheld and given the new DOJ mandate invalidate the ACA in its entirety. Then we can see how the 2020 vote goes in the States Trump won that are suing for the repeal. The ones to watch would be: Arizona, Florida and Wisconsin. Not sure they’d be Trump States after the votes are counted.
The only way to purge the disease it to make those being helped that they voted in 2016 to hurt themselves.
3
@Paul
You forgot Texas, the state with the highest rate of uninsured, highest rate of infant and maternity mortality rate. They are proud of it too. A solid red state.
Let the Games begin.
Maybe Mr. Obama will want to lecture the young Democrats on the virtues of being moderate and doing only what the Republicans will allow you to do.
1
I never stop to be gobsmacked by this seemingly never ending debate. With 18% of GDP twice as much is spent on healthcare in America than in Europe and yet 25 million people are not included in the system?
For some reason, average cost for procedures like bypass is 3-4 times higher than in countries with the same or better outcomes.? The pressure from the interest groups that wants the wheels to keep spinning seems to be enough to stop the Lawmakers from taking action.
Under current conditions healthcare will continue to be a commodity for the foreseeable future.
1
@Dan Elsn You should hear what Ben Shapiro has to say about the difference between the US and Europe. I forget what he says but there is a good reason why the numbers "appear" better. I trust most of what Ben says because he is so darn smart. lol
I applaud POTUS for sticking to his guns.
As most would have it, this weekend saw a reconfirmation of that November Tuesday of 2016 or even a reelection for a 2 year term.
So, when you have won the election- election promises are brought in sharp focus.
And whether folks like it or not, in baseball terms - he is batting into a cycle.
First of course the election, tax cuts, then the Wall, followed by Mueller - so declaring Obamacare dead follows.
Why fight elections and win - if you say never mind.
Folks below may not need a reminder of one guy - very popular and now, much elevated to a great status since he has died - one "read my lips."
No modern POTUS wants to be a one termer - especially for having broken a campaign promise.
With the Wall issue out of the way for 2020 - Obamacare was the next big thing they would hang around his neck.
So, I say go for it.
1
It’s all about winning? What is wrong?
1
Or to put it another way: “My success depends destroying the hopes, dreams, and at times the lives, of others”. Melodramatic? Maybe. But more true than not. What has happened to the Republican Party?
1
All I know is hurry up, you promised me better cheaper health insurance if you were to be elected instead my cost has doubled in the last two years with another increase this year and I'm in perfect health and only visit the doctor for my yearly check up. When you done away with the law that capped insurance companies profit at 20% the premiums are on a run away track.
1
Once again, I must live in fear that my only health insurance option will vanish. This is no simple political move. My insurance through the ACA provides me with the only treatment keeping me alive. It must be administered every month. The cost would be $5000 per month without the ACA. THAT IS $65000 a year. Double my household income. My doctor has cautioned me not to ever discontinue this treatment as I will be dead in as little as six months, but would surely within a year. My wife and children are deathly afraid of losing me.
This much I know, I will not accept my death without talking action. Once I have nothing to lose, I will be free to answer this insanity with the kind of zeal you would expect from a walking dead man. I'm not going down without a fight.
7
It's horrible to think that anyone would find joy in another American losing their healthcare coverage, but as they say, elections have consequences. Possessing a weak, brain-washable brain also has consequences. Pair these together and you have a recipe for pure joy for me when I see the trump cult members realize that their life will probably be shortened because they are stupid, intolerant and inconsiderate people. Bring it on!
6
How will the Republican party be known as the party of healthcare when all they want to do is take healthcare away from as many people as possible and have absolutely nothing planned to replace the ACA despite all the rhetoric for the past 10 years?
Only in Trump's world where supporters of Neo-Nazis chanting "Jews will not replace us" could then paint the opposing party as anti-Jewish, could this type of Orwellian rhetoric even be considered plausible.
That 40% of the country don't see these obvious contradictions is alarming. If the ACA is further degraded, I wonder what the Republicans who do not have healthcare but for the ACA will say once their health insurance is gone.
5
I am sick and tired of Trump's "base." "Base" is a good word for it, and that's about all. His base is a minority of people who are selfish rich and ignorant poor. It mirrors the Old Confederacy in a very creepy way, not entirely to include former slave owning states. The Electoral College allowed a "win," not the majority popular vote, so there has technically never been any nationwide mandate for Trump. But does that stop his fanatics? Heck, no. Brazen, shameless, dictatorial, cruel, etc., let alone disgusting. The sooner we rid ourselves of Trump, et al., by all lawful means, the better and a.s.a.p.
5
Fight Obama Care ( Affordable Care Act) with no substantial replacement in sight!!? Really!!? The harm it will do to hundreds of thousands of our fellow citizens...What is wrong with these people? Just shameful.
6
Mulvaney may be right about Trump's base supporting this disastrous proposal, but those are the very people who will be hurt the most by this idiocy if it succeeds in destroying Obamacare. But when has Mulvaney been right about anything?
5
How bizarre all this is.
3
I think his base - or at least some of the people who previously had voted for him - learned something about their insurance coverage last fall - that the ACA = Obamacare - and voted for Democrats in the mid-term elections.
I hope Democratic strategists are collecting the videos showing this administration's advocacy for tax cuts for the 1%, against consumer protections, and against healthcare protections for over 130 million Americans.
9
Ahhh now we see who's running things, that creepy, always smiling Mulvaney. And that nervous, tittery voice. Something's wrong with the guy.
7
So what is the GOP plan? More prisons? Union workhouses?
14
Summing up.
Obamacare must go, Mulvaney says so.
So what's the plan? Oh, there is none? OK, pass it on.
Unlimited opioids. Free surgeries by Ben Carson. Allow the alt-right, veterinarians, the franchisees and descendants of the medicine show guy from Django Unchained, faithhealers from television ministries, the Southern Baptist Conference, religious universities and JiffyLube expand their practices to whomsoever roving ambulances cart to their doorstep, like in late 8th-early 19th century not so merrie England.
First, life expectancy drops. Then the population will. Unless Ivanka the Merciful steps in. Cue the Kushners. Include the Kushner Dad.
Did I get the tone right?
12
Republicans to sick people: "I don't care where you go, but you can't stay here."
15
The biggest gift to 2020 Democrats.
6
Wait- wasn’t health care ‘too complicated for him? Who knew? ‘ Now it’s the GOP same ol’ same ol’. After how many years ....No plan, no rationale, no health policy alternatives- just undermine & destroy with GOP senate complicity! Potential hurt, suffering and dead in the millions- so where are the ‘religious’ & ‘conservative base’ voices?
11
Waste of time and resources. Trump and his administration has no imagination and just plain lazy. So easy to dismantle ACA. Difficult to come up with an alternative. And left in the middle are the American people who depend on the ACA.
8
Trump said:
“Let me just tell you exactly what my message is: The Republican Party will soon be known as the party of health care. You watch.”
He says this as he's taking the health care away from millions of people.
When are people who support him going to reslize that he's a con artist?
18
Trump and GOP have no plan. Citizens of Kentucky, Mississippi should be very afraid. If the ACA is repealed those populations are in for a very rude awakening. No healthcare, no jobs, chronic illness, addiction, no future.
15
If Trump's supporters don't want the ACA then can we please stop giving those states our tax dollars? They hate "socialism" so much...let them see what life without social services is like.
23
I cannot possibly agree more with this comment.
They hate "socialism", while they partake of it continually
4
Doesn’t Mulvaney know that Trump’s base will be affected by this? It certainly will not be good for the opioid crisis, would it?
6
Isn't it obvious by now Repub's don't have a plan for anything since that would mean owning and taking responsibility for it. Much easier to sit in bed and blame tweet someone else.
13
The President’s “base” is only 30% of the country while another 20-25 % or so support him on some issues.
Let’s hope that our courts realize that the law stands for all citizens and not just the few Trump chooses to serve. Then, despite our Electoral College system let’s get this horrid man out of office along with his flunky cabinet so the country can re-establish some sense of normality. I’m predicting it will take 10 years.
6
“If the Supreme Court rules that Obamacare is out, we’ll have a plan that is far better than Obamacare,” Trump said.
I have a hard time believing that this happened, there has to be something that we don't know. It is too much of a softball for the Dems. Particularly this week. Weird.
While it's easy to take the low hanging fruit and rag on the Trump base pulling the wool over their own eyes (see Kentucky), the quote above is truly a sensational thing to say. Mick had it wrong about fulfilling campaign promises. He forgot to mention the "replace" part of the promise.
NEVERMIND! To Trump and team, they fell for it once, they will again!
Don't be conceited. The ACA is not infallible, and has issues. The "base" hates the ACA, no matter if they benefit or not. A black man will not tell them anything. Please remember that. There is no replace, there never was, as the GOP is diametrically opposed to Big Healthcare, which translates to Big Government. That doesn't stop Trump from saying it will, and his "base" buying into that. Be smart.
5
Sorry Mr Trump, but a cheap insurance policy that excludes major illnesses, or expenses, is not 'insurance' and is not 'replacement '.
9
Never fear. ACA will be replaced by a beautiful plan, the most beautiful healthcare plan in the history of America.
What is the plan?
Don't worry. The Republican party will be known as the health-care party!
5
@Moose They have no plan, they never did and never will. They are getting rid of ACA because of the pre existing conditions rule for the health insurance companies. Trump just wants to repeal everything Obama got into law because of his racist hatred of the Obama's
1
Hmm, what's going on over at Foxnews.com? More casual racism you say?
All they need is a woman's body to command, a democrat to hate, a minority to scorn, and a gun to covet.
Do they even care about health law? Only if it means demolishing our once black President's legacy.
15
Would someone from Trump's base please tell me how wiping out the ACA helps you.
11
Because, in their minds, "it hurts Liberals"
I kid you not, they think of that as a win.
Doesn't matter that it hurts Conservatives as well.
3
Trump’s their vehicle for self hatred!
@Beezlebulby. Unfortunately, I have heard exactly that from my Trump-supporting family members.
Mulvaney is trying for Public Enemy #1.
3
Hahaha. Trump doesn't care any more for Republicans than he does for Democrats. He's going to dig a deep hole, push the GOP right in and drag a big fat rock over it.
How does it feel Red Ones? Be sure to be extra loyal to that commander in chief of yours, now. lol
9
This is a sadistic move on the part of the president and the Republicans. Sadistic. They enjoy watching people suffer and die. If they didn’t, they would take more care with this move. Right now they are just lying. Basking in their half power.
10
I keep hearing this nonsense, overturning Obamacare completely will make Trump's base happy. I would bet that a significant part of his base will also lose their healthcare. What does he think only Democrats signed up for Obamacare? Stupid!
His arrogance and hatred of everything Obama will do him in, it's just a matter of time.
21
@Majon My sister had an ACA policy for years until she turned 65. When I said something to her about her ACA policy, she said she had Obamacare. When I told her they were one and the same, she was rather surprised. She's loves FOX.
3
Wait until Trumps supporters hear that they will lose their healthcare or pay more for it, they will be running for those opposed to these idiots and there will be a landslide Democratic victory in 2020.
3
"Vice President Mike Pence was concerned about the political ramifications of moving ahead without a strategy or a plan to handle the suddenly uninsured if the suit succeeds."
Amazing that the Republic ... er Cult of Trumpers are so obtuse that even now, after nearly a decade of trying to kill Obamacare, they still do NOT have a plan for anything to replace it should that day arrive. Now that they do not control the House, how can they force their plan through Congress, assuming that they even had such a plan?
Go ahead, Cultists, kill Obamacare. Throw tens of millions of Americans off their healthcare, make it impossible for anyone with an existing condition to get insurance, and go back to the day when women and the elderly were gouged when they tried to get coverage.
That is how you win the election in 2020, by gratuitously harming MILLIONS of Americans. Go for it. The Cult of Trumpers will go NUTS with glee.
(Smacks forehead with palm.)
16
To all American citizens, wherever you live:
-Make sure you’re registered to vote.
-Vote!
To all of congress:
- remember you work for the above.
11
If tRump has a better plan than ACA, why not propose it as a replacement now. What's the point of waiting for Supreme Court? Asking for a friend.
5
For Trump this is all just about poll numbers and “winning”. But if this goes through, there will be real human pain, suffering and dying that directly result. The health care system is already barely functional for the average working person trying to deal with a serious medical situation. This will result in even harder times for a lot of people.
If Trump ever had a “beautiful” healthcare plan, he would have been bragging about it before now. For 10 years the Republicans have had nothing.
11
“If the Supreme Court rules that Obamacare is out, we’ll have a plan that is far better than Obamacare,” he said.
Obviously not the case. If they had a better plan--or any plan at all--they would have presented it to the country long ago.
6
Trump have to do something to get back the money he gave to the rich through the tax cuts.
2
Mr. Trump and his adopted political party can't help but find ways to snatch disaster from the gracious hands of good fortune. Attorney General Barr's synopsis of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's final report concluding there was no coordinated conspiracy by the Trump campaign with Russia's interference during the 2016 election was a limited win.
The trouncing the GOP took in the 2018 election was due in large part to their abortive previous attempts to dismantle Obamacare. The American electorate has repeatedly polled a majority supporting the PPACA (aka Obamacare) including the majority of registered Republicans.
Why smother one small ideological victory by doubling down on a losing position on the politically sensitive issue of healthcare?
4
The ACA is a mess, it needs to be fixed. Where you call that repeal and replace or whatever, it needs a pretty good overhaul. 1) The large subsidies need to be cut at least in half, they are way to big. 2) The one size fits all plan requirements need to go, people want, and can understand, choices. 3) You can't really use the mandate anymore as it was declared a tax and can be not collected at a whim, so you need to use the GOP idea from last year that if you sit out, you have to pay higher premiums when you come back in. The ACA can ONLY work if you pressure young healthy folks to come in (low priced bare bones policies these folks want will help too). 4) The federal exchange adds no value, there were websites like that provide these summaries before the exchange ever existed. Dismantle it. 5) Give states more flexibility to try new things such as high risk pool and equivalents that were just starting to take hold when the ACA came out. 6) Allow states more medicaid flexibility.
The ACA framework was a solid idea. The Democratic implementation of it was too expensive, to heavy handed, and too inflexible. So, toss the dang thing out, take the good, add more good, and let's go.
@Marvin You write that the framework is a good idea, then say "toss the dang thing out." Which is it? Your ideas deserve debate, that's a great start. Unless we talk out ideas, we get nowhere.
Why not just build on that framework, since we've all see the Republican plan, which is NOTHING.
1
Let's start by eliminating all free health care (paid by US taxpayers) to ALL federal government workers, especially those in the Oval Office. If they want healthcare, they must purchase it without any government subsidy. Let's start with stripping free healthcare (and pensions) from ALL GOP "law makers" in the US Congress and everyone in the trump White House. This should go into effect immediately while they seek to destroy the Affordable Care Act.
9
@Hopeless American You should do some Googling. Federal employees get subsidies from the government to assist paying for their plans. Neither are there free pensions. https://gogovernment.org/federal-health-retirement-and-other-benefits/
1
Picture this. The current President arranges with media to present his health care plan that will fulfill all the promises that he made during the 2016 campaign, updated by other bright thoughts he has had since then.
He will button his suit jacket to show his respect for the Americans. He will read from notes that he, alone, prepared. He also has prepared charts to compare his plan to any prior plans.
He discusses who will pay for it, which corporate entities might lose a bit of their profits. He tells the Americans that he knows that some politicians will be reluctant to give up the patronage and guidance or their donors. No Americans with pre-conditions need have any fears for their health insurance coverage. Ways for medical students to afford their education will be part of the Plan. It will not be linked to employers.
After the first 90 minutes, he says that he will be back on the following day to deliver the next episode of this detailed plan.
No flags, sports heroes, scouts appear in the background during any of these presentations.
Stay tuned.
4
They have a replacement for Obama care? Let’s see it. I don’t think they have a plan...
2
This brilliant strategy by Mulvaney reminds of Jared’s idea to fire Comey because everyone will love it! I can’t believe how out of touch these people are.
4
Wonder how the Dictator will explain to his party the immediate reaction from the loss of at least 15 Million potential Trump voters.? Let’s resort to his keynote phrase - “You’re Fired”.
2
So basically even with McConnell guarding the Senate, this administration has no intention of ever using legislation to accomplish anything. Rule by decree via courts.
I wonder how many people are actually aware of how abnormal our new way of governing is.
7
Trump wants to cut disaster aid to Puerto Rico and now kill the ACA. So much for helping hardworking, tax paying citizens who need every bit of help they can get. But try and tell that to the politicians who ALL have the best health insurance for themselves and their families that our tax money can buy!
7
This is leadership at its worst. Pandering to your base while people loose access to healthcare. Unbelievable.
12
If his base of supporters don't want it, let them do without. I don't usually wish ill on people, but in this case I hope they pay the price for their extremism. But don't ask me to pay for it through higher insurance costs or taxes because they're flocking to emergency rooms.
11
I presume if the ACA gets overturned, Trump will declare a national emergency in order to enact, without Congress, his wonderful health care. He will call in the insurance companies to design it, and any shortfall can surely be covered by the NIH budget.
10
@JBC -- the insurance companies already helped design ACA.
It's time they will be shown the door. Let them insure something else. Medical care should not be for profit care.
1
What polling data are the President's advisors reading?
This must be a political calculation. As it's seems highly immoral, illogical, and dispassionate to the 21 million people relying on the ACA to remain healthy, if not alive.
They must have precinct level polling data suggesting they can run on this issue and still win via the Electoral College. What other possible rational reason exists to justify ending a popular (and growing more so each day - thanks Kaiser Family Foundation for the data).
12
@Owen this is their ideology - to shrink Federal programs until they can be drowned in the bathtub - and they don't need to poll - it is their religion.
2
@Owen if you haven't realized it by now, it's very simple for Trump: it's because President Obama is a black man a million times smarter - and a million times better human being - than he is. Hopefully his ingrained racism will lead to his political downfall if he follows through with this vicious stupidity.
2
I remember the town halls the last time the Trump Ad tried to eliminate Obamacare, as Americans who really knew little about the subject listened to their fellow Americans tell their stories, how their lives were saved and their care was protected. No Ph.D. from MIT but regular Americans. I expect the same thing again, with similar results. The Resistance organized these people once; they will do it again.
19
@Elinor
When they called it Obama care, the rural voters wanted it abolished. when they called it the Affordable Care Act the same people were for it. Racism anyone?
2
Sure, his base wants him to fight Obamacare, until they find out it is the same thing as the ACA they like so much. Trump has always felt the need to eliminate everything Obama accomplished, and with this he would get a twofer because he also gets back at McCain's thumb down vote.
26
Mick Mulvaney has been trying to skewer the average rank and file American for years since he was in Congress, and to give every cent to the wealthiest people in the country and led and cajoled by them.
This has included everything from the ACA, to the GOP tax cut. Also, Mulvaney has continually tried to decimate Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security.
Although Trump promised not to touch Medicare and Social Security those promises have fallen by the wayside since Trump has been President.
His "tax cut successes" have caused the $1.5-$2.0 trillion deficit.
Our trade negotiations have been hurting us, and are now slowing our economy.
Well, now he has convinced Trump to have the Justice Department oppose and terminate the ACA.
So, most of us have not seen more than a few bucks for their tax cuts or have even paid more in taxes. And now multi-millions of us will lose our medical coverage.
Mulvaney's influence and Trump's accommodation has handed those of us who will be impacted by various portions, if not all of us a great way to oppose the decimation of us rank and file citizens.
What they will take from us in the next two years, will not compare to what we, the people, will take back in 2020.
Thanks, in no small part is owed to Mick Mulvaney's war to take everything from all of the 320+ million of us, who have survived.
They will enable us to take back what they stole from us...Our country!!!
39
@Quandry And don't forget that Mulvaney also tried to kill the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau when he oversaw it last year. He cares not a whit for the majority of Americans, as you point out.
https://thehill.com/policy/finance/421007-consumer-bureau-morale-plummeted-under-mulvaney-analysis
3
I spose it’s kinda heartwarming that they managed to even fight over the welfare of the people. I really that they were completely past all pretenses about that sort of thing.
8
Follow the money... Every action the GOP and Trump administration makes is tied to big money. Nothing they do has been or ever will be in the interest of American Citizens.
23
TRump has repeatedly said that he’d protect coverage for those with pre existing conditions. Another lie.
17
@Merlin Balke We have not see the replacement so how can you say that? Just because the suit is using that does not mean those folks are against it, they are simply using an avenue to remove the law. The GOP was alway in favor of the mandate, but they attacked the overall law using the mandate as a wedge.
@Marvin. Perhaps because there is no replacement? The GOP has had nine years to come up with an alternative. They were unable to. They don’t even have a plan to talk about coming up with a plan.
That said, the ACA is a good start, and now it could use some adjustments to be better. Getting rid of the pre-existing conditions part would definitely not be an improvement.
1
His base are the kind of people who—if you said—you have two options. The first is that we’ll give you $100,000, but your neighbor will get $120,000. The second option is we can stick one pin in your arm, but ten pins in your neighbor’s arm. Which do you prefer, they’d always choose the second.
22
''initially pressed to nullify only the part of the law that forces insurance companies to cover people with pre-existing medical conditions as well as a suite of health benefits deemed “essential,” such as pregnancy and maternal health, mental health and prescription drugs.''
That is just plain evil. Healthcare only for those that don't need it.
14
@Lawrence: Women MUST carry every fetus to term, but be denied pregnancy and maternal healthcare. Classic Trumpian kindness.
1
As a cancer patient who knows many families with children and adults similarly affected by chronic diseases, rest assured I can never again vote for anyone or any political party that takes away the vital protections for people with pre-existing conditions.
It will be a "death panel" for those of us who can't cling to the same insurance carrier for our entire lives, or who get dumped because we cost more and bite into the grotesque profits that put Porsches in the driveways of insurance executives. I know something about this - I work in insurance. I wear an expensive gold watch and live in a very nice home thanks to those profits. My company alone spends millions every year lobbying to protect our fat profits.
Hopefully, this is just another dead-end Trump whim that will go nowhere. But if not, adios, anyone who dares brand themselves as part of the GOP.
40
@Bill Kowalski Thanks for your input. It's not often we can get such an honest politically unbiased view on an issue. My heart breaks when I think this could actually happen. How did we ever get in this place we're in right now? Take care Bill.
3
If Obamacare is repealed, by the courts, I believe there will be a lot of pressure on both parties to come up with an alternate program. One that will have to have bipartisan support, unlike Obamacare. Neither side will get all it wants, which is the way the American system is designed
3
@Rod - Obamacare was designed largely by both parties, which is why the online markets had lots of private insurance companies rather than a Medicare-type plan.
So if the parties got together again they'd design Obamacare - or Romneycare, if you prefer.
14
@b fagan Obamacare stared bi-partisan then went hard left only moving back to center enough to pick off the last remaining moderate Dems. The GOP favored the framework but not the huge subsidies, tax increase, lack of downward price pressures, the federal exchange, etc. They favored a much smaller, more flexible, less costly implementation that could be added to over time.
And even Romney did not favor scaling his Romneycare to the federal level.
Right, we’ve been through this. Republicans couldn’t come up with a better alternative, because this is the best conservative option.
5
An unelected peon forces a decision impacting 25 million citizens creating an end run around the will of congress and we still call this a democracy?
41
@HANK Trump is not forcing it, the suit was going ahead, he just chose which side the feds would be on in the courts. Which does not matter a whole lot, both sides are well funded and have solid legal teams already. The DoJ is simply another person on one side. There is not magical weight given to the DoJ over any other lawyer.
1
@Marvin - That sounds great, Marvin, until you look at who appointed the 16 appellate justices; 5 by Trump, 6 by other Republicans, 5 by Democrats. Or does this turn into just another example of elections have consequences.
2
How many years have the Republicans had to come up with "a better plan?" And what have they been doing for the first two years of the administration when they had the House and the Senate? Where's the Republican's fantastic bill?
37
@Catherine They had a good start but it would not pass the Senate. Remember, GOP is not GOP is not GOP. Susan Collins is way different than Rand Paul.
@Marvin. Nice try. But when Republicans controlled the White House, the House, and the Senate, working amongst themselves they still couldn’t come up with an alternative the Republicans could agree on.
1
Haberman & Pear are terrific reporters but I question the accuracy of their sentence contending this was the "best week" in Trump's presidency. Let's recall that the Mueller report remains under wraps. This was Barr's spin after less than 2 days - on an investigation that went on for 674 days! More to the point, the best that Barr could muster was that there wasn't enough to accuse Trump of being guilty beyond a shadow of the doubt of collusion. Talk about lowering our standards.
When the full report comes out of the drawer and/or Mueller testifies in open hearing, we'll have a far better idea about Trump's actions. Personally, I've always felt collusion was a stretch. He's just not smart enough to collude with Russia. But it's clear that his policies are bad for our country and that the clowns working for him held many strange meetings with Russian representatives. Collusion isn't a tightly defined legal term. But quasi-treasonous behavior - that's something we can all judge clearly.
13
Maybe, just maybe, many of those that voted for Trump and who will now be harmed by him, may finally see how he cannot be trusted to do what is ethical...when it will now impact them and their loved ones. If not, they are truly lost.
15
Priceless. A former real estate developer from South Carolina who doesn't believe in paying anything for a government which protects its citizens is advising another real estate developer on how to take away protection for our citizens - 21 million of them. Mulvaney doesn't belong in Washington or in Columbia, SC (our state capitol) or in any job which entails protecting anybody except the 1%.
34
They actually do have a plan and a small part has already been implemented by Trump by allowing group plans for associations of individuals. The rest of the plan was laid out both before and just after the last election by Rand Paul and it would cut both health care costs and health insurance costs by creating real competition and cutting the influence of large corporations and the AMA.
3
@David it looks like more of a tax shelter boom for the wealthy. Unlimited donations to an HSA, tax deductions for insurance premiums, individual tax credits...
8
@David for some possibly. The insurance companies will discriminate against all things female, therefor charge more and offer less coverage. What about all those pre existing conditions as we are not a healthy nation from knee replacements to diabetes. We already suffer the haves and have nots to the extreme and this so called plan your speaking of, well few people would end up content with affordable coverage. Obamacare laws prevent companies from selling you an empty bill of goods along with so many consumer protections. Our best bet is to grow from what we have rather than start over. No real plans in place as all these years they have tried to repeal, so one can expect total chaos for years if this does go away. Real competition could be done with working with the basics of what we already have but then again difficult decisions take much planning and brains. Something that is lacking in today’s GOP.
9
@FifthCircuitBar
That's exactly what I saw when I read it.
Plus, regarding the across-state-lines plan. Since every insurance plan I've seen has a network of providers, how many companies are going to set up networks convenient for out-of-state customers? Logistically, I don't get how that would work. Maybe for the big companies like BCBS, but you'd have limited choices.
4
For a party that was so against judges deciding legislation and judicial activism, this sure smacks of hypocrisy. Couple that with the fact that the GOP and their chump have no plan to replace the ACA and you can quickly surmise that they have no idea on how to govern or look out for the safety and welfare of the American people. It appears they only want to play partisan politics.
51
Trump and his party, the former Republican Party, are stark raving mad, and need to be removed from office yesterday.
Obviously we are stuck with them, hopefully only until January 2021; meanwhile we must hinder, and attempt to stop, the damage they are doing, using the power of our legal system, our rigged and broken system.
55
Deny it though they do and forever will, Republicans view health care as follows: If you can't afford to buy it, it is just that you suffer and/or die.
38
I'd of said Trump is being petty and vindictive again...
10
It is once again difficult to understand, not just to know, in an informed way, what the unvarnished truth is when so many are adept at, willing and and complicit in varnishing IT!
3
Trump just loves to destroy the laws and insitutions.
17
Replace the ACA? Tell that to this nurse of decades.
The Republicans have never had a plan and never will.
Funeral homes, open your door to bring in clients by the droves.
39
i guess this blows the lid off of the farce that the mandate was the big problem with ObamaCare. No mandate, no problem. We'll just go after the rest of the law.
The Trump team - they're all liars and cheats. Maybe on this one they've lied and cheated into a 2020 landslide.
27
Trump is all bluster... zero substance. He has never explicated his mechanism for providing universal, low cost, high quality health care nor has he made any meaningful in-roads into lowering prescription drug costs for Americans. He had two years to get his, and the GOPs, ducks in a row. His latest pronouncement: "The GOP will be the party of health care." Yeah, right.
31
Another example of the "ready, fire, aim" so-called policy-making of this administration. Maybe Trump's base will finally get it when they no longer have health care insurance. They want to abolish Obamacare but love the Affordable Care Act. Go figure.
17
Republican agenda - Whatever is good for the majority of Americans is bad for Republicans. Impossible to understand how anyone in rural America can vote for their policies...
29
@kathy But they do despite the tariff costs et al. They have to have a significant head problem.
4
@paul s And now less medical care to treat that 'significant head problem'!
For those who think it’s a good idea to break things before figuring out how to fix them, take a good look at brexit.
42
Trump: Why not destroy people's lives?, isn't that what our job is? The GOP majority never put together an alternative to Obamacare & the Supreme Court upheld it. Here is what Trump want to use his new found political "capital" to do. Be careful what you wish for, Republicans.
14
@Bob
Destroy people's lives? That would be uncharacteristically generous of Donald. He considers ordinary folks "nobodies," as he was recorded saying just after bulldozing a house that was inconveniently in his way during the building of his golf resort in Scotland. (Documentary is called "You've Been Trumped!") This is a person who sees all others as inferior to him. People who are ill are not even humans to him. Even his Base is full of supporters, not human beings, citizens, or just people.
1
Of course Trump's operating assumption is that none of his base voters would have their health insurance taken away by killing Obamacare. But Democrats ran on health care and gained 40 seats in the House, along the way getting votes from suburbs that had been Republican enclaves. Is this really a good strategy for someone who lost the popular vote by almost 3 million last time? Or is this a recipe for political suicide?
12
@Michael Gallagher Could be either, depends on how it is spun and how it is played.
@Marvin. Oh, I see. So the Republicans weren’t trying to spin it yet before the midterms, but now they will? Right.
hey trump and his fellow henchmen (GOP Congress members), shouldn't there be a real viable replacement plan like ready today before you take something from those who are benefiting. You couldn't get anything done while you controlled both houses, so now you know its going to be even harder because the Democrats are going fight back as they should, if they don't agree with your plan. Those Republicans who do disagree with trump about doing this will mumble in silence, and say nothing.
8
let all those Trump voters lose their health care-
we in the blue states, who were hurt by the GOP tax law, are helped by Romney care
They chose him- They can admire their (non) WALL, as the coal dust makes them cough, and their water poisons them-with no health coverage in sight
Do I sound bitter?
Two years of this destructive administration has brought me to this point.
39
@Bonnie Rudner
Am at the same point, Bonnie and am helped by Romney Care. 60 Million voters bought all the snake oil that the sleezy salesman sold. I say drink up and enjoy the upcoming recession as well.
3
Not enough chaos, not enough disruption once Mueller delivered his report.
Where to go next? Now, we know this week's answer.
14
Most Americans would love to have the gold plated health insurance these fat cats have. These same people that want to cut out what little they do have. There is something wrong here.
9
Would be nice if Trump considered the ramifications for others beside his uneducated 'base'.
Didn't think it could happen, but we just keep sinking lower and lower....
4
Well at least this was a well-considered initiative firmly anchored in the best interests of the American public's welfare.
/sarcasm
12
The Republicans once again expose their goal: enrich corporations while crushing the poor and middle class.
Without Obamacare, 20 million Americans will pay more for health care. Millions who lose subsidized premiums will be unable to pay for health care. By doing without otherwise affordable regular health care, they will end up in the more expensive emergency room when sick, the bill for which taxpayers will pay. The remainder who can "afford" to pay the additional monthly $1,000 to $2,000 per month premium will do so by cutting back on groceries, or suffering $5,000 to $10,000 deductibles, limited choice health care, and bankruptcy.
Thanks to Trump and the Republicans, gouging insurers and rich Republicans won't have to make the difficult choices the poor and middle class make, or foot their fair share of the health care costs in any event. While enjoying their ever-increasing wealth insurers and rich Republicans can instead laugh all the way to the bank.
We are a nation of the people, for the people, and by the people, as long as they are rich people or corporations.
What a sham.
14
Trump did not have a good week. He simply dodged one bullet. He lived to fight another day against health care, abortion, immigrants, transgender soldiers, and fundamental decency— none of which are winning issues except with the narrowest of bases. He may survive this term. (I hope the rest of us do.) But then the same Democratic majorities that surged in 2018 in swing states such as Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania will sweep him out of office to face unpardonable criminal charges in New York.
12
I don’t know about the other states you listed, but I 100% guarantee Michigan goes blue in 2020.
2
So, the Republicans are going to be the party of Healthcare?? For 6 years the Republicans moaned about the ACA and how much better their plan was. The problem was nobody saw their plan. When they finally introduced one and it was out in the open, everyone realized what a sham it was. Pre-existing conditions, Republicans don’t need no stinking pre-existing conditions!! Being able to afford insurance, what do Republicans care?? All of their iterations of a health law were a joke. That’s why John McCain gave the thumbs down on their vote. They didn’t have the “Replace” part of the “Repeal and replace” mantra that they have been spouting. So, Party of Healthcare, show us what you have magically come up with now. Give us the details of your plan. Mr. President, show us what you’ve got. What are we going to be stuck with if your lawsuit actually works?
13
I wonder how many of trump's supporters are benefiting from ACA. I would guess many of the complainers also take delight in beneficial government handouts, too.
I don't think trump has any special magic. It's more a case of the blind leading the blind; the delusional comforting those easily deluded and fooled.
10
"His base of voters would love it" Where does he think his base gets their health insurance from if not Obamacare?
12
I think Speaker Pelosi is right: don't impeach Trump because then we'll get Pence, who is a rabid wolf in sheep's clothing. Besides, he'd probably keep Trump's henchmen since they seem to fall within his narrow range of approval.
On the other hand, perhaps there really may be wiser heads out there who can derail this craven travesty. One thing I do know for certain: just when I think that Emperor Donald the First can't make things worse for his subjects (word chosen advisedly), he does. How do we keep having a new low every day? (And we haven't even yet heard him ranting at his pep rally tomorrow night; what new atrocities against the country will he be promoting?)
14
The greatest idea since Brexit. In both cases, people wanted to destroy what was already there and working without offering any ideas as to what was to replace it.
by the way, several years ago on David Letterman's show, Trump said the only way we can improve the provision of healthcare would be a single payer system. Could this be the secret play he has been promising for at least 3 years.
6
Trump has claimed his replacement healthcare plan for the ACA, would be much better and cheaper. Despite coming up to 27 months as President, Trump and his Republican cheer squad, have still not come up with a replacement healthcare plan.
Maybe it is time for Trump to propose his 'Trumpcare' health plan? One would hope it is more successful and lasts longer than Trump University, Trump Foundation..in fact most Trump businesses.
9
@Barry of Nambucca
As Aussies we know that America can do much better to look after its citizens. A big head like Trump wouldn't last 5 minutes in Australia. He would not pass any pub test. I remember Trump said during the campaign he would replace the ACA with something good. Just before the mid terms he and his cronies swore that they would protect pre existing conditions. Simultaneously he promised a 10% middle class tax cut. You can't believe a word he says.
"Something good" just didn't cut it in 2016 and he has not proposed anything bad or good since. Here, the party of such a fake leader would be the ones to kick him out. The system in America does not make that possible sadly
2
Trump said, "If the Supreme Court rules that Obamacare is out, we’ll have a plan that is far better than Obamacare." President Obama has said that if there's a better way to deliver affordable health care, he would support it. So would I. So would we all. But I am one-hundred percent sure that Trump is lying, just as he has lied about this issue over and over. He said three years ago that he had a better plan than Obama Care. He's provided no hint of what it might be.
12
Republicans are not interested in what is good for the country but what the White Nationalist want?
Democratic party would be more concerned about the welfare of the majority of the population whereas the current Administration and the Republicans are only concerned about doing what the 1% of the top wealthy individuals want. Healthcare for all is certainly going to be good for all Americans and an issue that the Party must have in the manifesto.
Even though it would be good for the Democrats for 2020 but they must not leave any stone un-turned to safeguard this plan and then improve on it for Medicare for all.
5
Before Americans decide it wise to leave their healthcare to the good intentions of Donald Trump, they should be reminded that he actually removed healthcare from his own brother and with the greatest of pleasure.
9
Trump's base is a minority. What about the popular vote, those who voted against Trump, are they not a majority and Americans too?
7
I’m sure Democratic statisticians and strategists could figure out who, among the Trump supporters, will lose their healthcare. Then, the candidates need to go out there and tell those people that Republicans are making their health insurance go away and how much more it’s going to cost them.
It’s that simple. And, please, no Elizabeth-Warren-style wonkishness. Just a simple message to the base that the Republicans are taking away your healthcare, but gave billionaires huge tax breaks.
5
@LIChef Why put Warren down? She's the best at explaining in simple terms what damage certain policies have done or will do.
2
Well, hopefully the base will get what they wish and lose their health care.
8
Once in a while we should be reminded that the legislators enjoy only the best of offerings in these various benefits now.
Not for the first time, I recommend that they should be afforded the average of what they deem to be adequate for the rest of the population.....unless they decide to pay for any extras out of their own pockets of course.
Its easy to preach on a full stomach with no downside risks for them.
True leaders lead by example in most situations, and I believe this is one where they could gain credibility by following such disciplines, rather than an "I'm all right Jack" attitude.
32
Even if Republicans wanted to be the party of health care, there is not a plan possible that can satisfy all of their conditions: that it cover more than the ACA; cost less; be administered by private health insurers; and have no employer or individual mandates.
25
This is like Trump catching the winning pass of a football game that Mueller threw him, then fumbling inside the 5 yard line. Epic fail.
33
@TheUglyTruth: I'd like to better your scenario: Trump does an end-zone celebration, spiking the ball before he doesn't realize he's not in the end zone.
3
There he goes again. Taking quick and decisive action on whatever the last person he spoke with, told him to do. Hahaha.
39
For a man with so far unusual political instincts, this move , aided and abetted by his willful ignorance guarantees his exit in 2020. Try spinning this one radical fringe right wingers. To your neighbors faces.
14
@AdamStoler - I am very sorry to say that his right wing fringe voters would still vote for Trump. Trump is campaigning on taking away health care from these poor souls. Yet, they would still enthusiastically cheer for Trump while they simultaneously lose their healthcare coverage.
It's shocking to say the least, but that's how the world has been going.
I never thought 40% of the country would condone a president who openly colludes or acts like he's under the influence of a foreign enenmy like Russia, but they not only condone it they relish in it and use it as an opportunity to thumb their faces at the 60% who actually care about preserving our democracy.
7
Methinks the enemy of the people is not so much Trump as it is Mick Mulvaney. In his career he has never proposed to do anything that would help the people he is supposed to be serving while in office, but in fact has sought to tear down every program that does or might help the people he is supposed to be serving. The guy impresses me as a low IQ person, if I may coin a phrase, but very dangerous to our democracy.
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I just figured it out. Trump doesn't want to go down in history as the 'greatest' President; he wants to go down as the President who did the most damage the people of the United States. I don't think he has any competitors for that distinction! Oh, lest we forget: he also wins the award (although there are a couple of close seconds) as the dumbest presidents in my lifetime! These are some lyrics from Paul Simon's "Mrs. Robinson"
"Sitting on a sofa on a Sunday afternoon
Going to the candidates debate
Laugh about it, shout about it
When you've got to choose
Every way you look at it, you lose."
We are losing big time. What a crying shame...
25
no. he wants to go down in history at the person who undid every Obama policy on the books. his obsession with Obama would be comical, if it wasn't so dangerous to this country.
Thank God trump supporters & base will also suffer under loss of healthcare coverage. He no longer cares about the American people. He is on his way to total control of peoples' lives & his base loves it.
Republicans hope non-republicans will die off faster than republican voters. To them if you are breathing it is pre-existing condition to refuse you healthcare coverage. They don't have a plan & can't come up with one because they are too greedy & concerned only about their congressional insurance coverage.
trump won't come up with a plan because he doesn't care about the voters who will be losing their insurances.
Emergency rooms will become the new charity write-offs used by everyone because they won't have to have insurance to pay for doctor's office visits.
Yeah, all this winning for trump but not the little guy voter.
10
One of the most obvious aspects of this President and administration, is that it has become a bore.
9
A bore, maybe, but a very real and dangerous bore.
This country is locked in a "Trump celebration of ignorance" unlike anything I've seen in my lifetime.
33
@Steven with help from a very scary staff.
4
@Steven
Half the country, perhaps. Not only the ignorant half, the evil half too. Who has abandoned us to such filth and ignominy? Et tu Mueller?
1
@RMW So , I am not just ignorant, I'm evil? Really? The aca was NEVER affordable.
Mulvaney doesn't believe in consumer protections either. Every man and woman for themselves, buyer beware and all that. And if you are not a totally healthy contributing member of society, please just go somewhere to a quiet corner and die!
18
The Republican party created,as did Victor Frankenstein, a monster in the person of Donald J. Trump. Their greed and arrogance has led them to believe they can govern while amassing ever more power through their monster. But he is now demonizing them as well as everyone else. The worst of the Republicans now control the executive branch, the judiciary, and the Senate. But they can't control their monster.
20
Trump had no respect for the thousands of government employees and their families that he threw into financial chaos during his government shutdown. Trump hates government employees.
Emboldened now, he’s taking health care away from millions of ordinary Americans who are not wealthy and who struggle to afford health in the only OECD country where the high cost of health care access is already prohibitive. There is no GOP health care plan on the table. Trump is lying again. He wants as many people as possible to die. Trump hates the brown and black people who benefited from the Medicaid expansion.
Right now, Trump is building up the US military for the next war. He really wants his military parade. The young and healthy poor will enlist in exchange for housing and health care. Wealthy people do not enlist in America’s wars. The poor end up dead in America’s stupidest war to date. What Trump really hates are poor people.
After that cull, he’s coming
after the 65,853,514 people who voted for Hilary Clinton. He will call on the private prison system to expand to private concentration camps and lock them ALL up. Trump governs for his voters. What Trump hates the most are the Democrats who didn’t vote for him in 2016.
This 2020 election is all about Trump, a despicable wannabe tyrant who counts Putin, Duarte, MSB, and Kim as friends. What is at stake is going to boil down to one moral question and I hope we all pass:
How should human beings be treated in the USA?
16
@BBB
Absolutely spot on.
3
@BBB, "wannabe" tyrant? He already is - just a few pesky constitutional provisions and stubborn Democrats are in the way. God bless AOC for being one of them:
https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/congress/article228479279.html
1
So Mike Pence finally did the Christian thing and worried about the sick and the poor-- oh, wait. I misread that. He worried about the POLITICS of the sick and poor being sicker and poorer...
39
Clearly, the GOP wants you sick, broke and hopeless. How heartless can a sociopathic administration be? How ideologically blinkered can Trump's Alt-Right base get? Just watch. The good news is that this will strongly bolster the Dem's case in 2020. And it may well hasten the solution that has been staring us in the face: Medicare for all as a means to Universal Healthcare.
17
Welcome to American the crazy country that doesn't want its population to have healthcare. Let the people be or stay sick.
14
Remember the conservative tales of "death squads" that would be sent out by Obama when his newfangled health proposal passed? Well that did not come to pass, but there is a death squad in the white house and they are coming for all of us with pre-existing conditions and low income. At least we won't be like all those socialist countries where people are secure. Thank golly.
39
How dumb can Trump be. After a victory from the Mueller report, this may be the decision that marks the end of his re-election prospects. Everyone even most Trump supporters want access to healthcare not empty slogans.
23
@Rojo
Getting more impossible everyday to communicate with republicans.The senate has the same 1950s moaning complaining types as ever.Dont matter the age,they still have the mean nasty policies.
2
What's the old saying? If it "ain't broke don't fix it"
13
Like so very many of Trump's political actions, legislative proposals, judicial appointments, and instructions to his cabinet members, this attempt to completely abolish the flawed but only successful improvement in US healthcare since Medicare and Medicaid is motivated by one thing, and one thing only--RESENTMENT against President Barack Obama.
What a sickening tragedy it is that the US and the entire world should be thrown into chaos in part because one insecure and aggressive U.S. President, Donald Trump, happens to be a racist with no sense of humor and no humility.
39
Trumps zeal to crush the Obama legacy because Obama made fun him at the 2011 White House correspondents' dinner is coming at us all 24/7/365. Maybe it's not that simple but maybe it is. Hell hath no furry like a Donald scorned.
Short https://www.washingtonpost.com/video/entertainment/trump-jokes-from-the-2011-white-house-correspondents-dinner/2016/04/27/6a4384de-0bec-11e6-bc53-db634ca94a2a_video.html?utm_term=.7a90ae0659f7
Full https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9mzJhvC-8E
16
@Warren RoosActually, it might be just that simple. He knows he is not getting the Nobel Peace Prize and that surely must really bother him. So let's kill Obamacare he says. Hopefully he won't be a 2 term President like Mr. Obama.
1
Arguably Trymp’s best weekend yet? Come on NYT, this deserves much more critical review. The summary proves nothing of course.
8
@christine I agree! Why is this considered a victory for him regarding the Mueller report. It’s too early to make this call in my view.
6
@christine
Agree. No one has read the Mueller report. Why is this a victory? Because he said so? Where indeed is our critical press? They are failing democracy with their laziness and lack of critical reporting.
1
Lola says... If the SC knocks down the ACA they will have a better one. Cheaper but better. Everyone will want that. He'll tell you about it only if you elect him. His hold over the GOP is alarming. His presidency reminds me of the movie "Damn Yankees". GOP has sold it's soul to be elected. Lola, like Trump, sings daily. Whatever Lola wants. Lola gets.
McCain is a criminal now. Really? Shameful!!
7
Trump is driven by his deep hatred for Obama.
20
@dogtrnr12It is not so much hate as it is a very deep envy. President Liar does not know what to do until Fox tells him a direction. It's like throwing a grenade into a church bonfire. Something will happen.
@dogtrnr12
I'm sorry, I thought you said racist people are motivated by their hatred of Blk people. This just in....Men don't like working for women. No film at 11.
Never stop pointing out the obvious. He has a lot of lemmings. Watch them throw out their SS to prove they're patriots.
President Trump, 2 terms.
@RigidPrinciples consecutive or concurrent?
5
@RigidPrinciples too funny, this move will hasten this term. The Democrats won the House due this issue.
1
Flawless, well elucidated logic.
2
The policy if this administration is vengeance.
Anything Obama did must be undone.
Period
10
Trump throws Democrats in the Briar Patch.
3
Republicans want the poor to get what they deserve, which is nothing. A plan for something better than Obamacare? How many times can he trot out the same old lie and run it through its paces?
13
@John
Indeed. The ACA as I recall was hardly a socialist revolution. It was based on what then Governor Romney - a Republican governor - implemented for the state of Massachusetts. They just don't like Obama and the well-being of the American people is not their driving motivation for governance.
3
We have to see what his proposal looks like. It might be a 2-tiered one that has a free market component with better choices along with a basic one to cover critical illness ones for the poor.
Further ideas that matches 401k funds for health emergencies should be one way to limit gigantic budget shortfalls.
Ultimately some form of cost control for drugs and possibly doctors and hospital stays may have to be looked at, and that is going to face resistance from everyone. This won't be easy.
I expect that the list of covered items will probably shrink drastically to only include basic life-saving ones.
As for continuing with the ACS/fix - there's no way to proceed if the law is struck down - besides, there's no way to pay for it without the mandatory enforcement of compelling healthy young people to buy insurance they don't need.
Rather than a mandatory insurance with everyone hates, have the 401k as a health-saving type vehicle, or expand medicaid with loans. But ultimately, don't lose the good stuff. The US leads the world in 5 year cancer survival rate, it just has a problem with costs and affordability.
And the Affordable Care Act made health insurance horrendously expensive.
1
The ACA made healthcare insurance more affordable than the free market system that predated it.
3
How ironic that you call this "his" proposal as if he could either read it or understand it.
1
@JimG Well for one, the US pays exponentially more for drugs, the same drugs that others get from countries like China/India. And our big pharma makes sure we buy the same drugs, for allot more, from US big pharma companies that source from the same countries. And this is not just new high tech drugs. This is insulin and stuff that has been around for years. And yes, Insulin is one of those things you won't get without insurance. So yeah, people die for things as simple as that.
People diss Obama care. A better system would have been a single payer like Germany has. But no way bought and paid GOP senators will ever allow it. At least it provided for pre existing conditions. Before that it was called dying or going bankrupt. And now Trump wants to just throw out ACA. The GOP has NEVER shown any plan of their own. Why? Because they generally do what their told by their big insurance/big pharma donors want. They can't say anything. Of course, for profit generally is in favor of throwing out the weak/sick. Because that works out allot better for the bottom line.
Also for profit costs 30 percent more (real number). That is the big gorilla in the room. GOP never talks about cutting out the "for profit" to cut costs. If you don't do that, its always going to cost allot more. You mention CA patients. Here's one for ya. US is not even in the top 25 countries for health outcomes. But we definitely have the highest cost for health care.
2
Of course Trump's base wants him to kill Obamacare. They're masochists who like shooting their own feet.
20
@Peter Aretin
My impression of trump’s base is they’re glad when hearing simple slogans pronounced loudly and authoritatively, content notwithstanding.
Trump satisfies this need.
4
One more law down the drain .... not because it is bad .... it is simply because it materialized under Obama, nation's first African American president and a far far smarter than 45th.
Trump's hate and inferiority complex knows no bounds. What a pity.
36
So, according to this piece, Mulvaney is even more of an idiot than Trump. Even Pence knows better. This is just such a stupid move politically. This will be remembered by millions of Americans in 2020 (only nine months away). Both Trump and, apparently, Mulvaney, are driven by spite. Yeah, there's pleasing the all important base, but if legislation in an all Republican Congress failed and couldn't get the job done, well then by golly, lets ride piggyback on a judge's decision. Trump never could read the entire country, let alone lead it - and now we know Mulvaney can't read the tea leaves either.
15
@Rick Morris
Mulvaney may be more concerned w pleasing his boss than to consider the best interest of our citizens.
It is unlikely trump would hire anyone who did not prioritize trump over all and anyone.
3
Dick Mulvaney is there because no one else would take the job. The Chief of Staff “D” team.
1
All we ask is to get the same care publicly elected republicans enjoy on our dime.
29
That should be done away with.
Wasn't it a Trump supporter who said, "get rid of Obamacare but don't you dare touch my Affordable Care Act!"
35
@Jeff Miller
Actually, I think it was a sign held up at a Trump rally: "Keep your government hands off my Medicare!!"
5
Why is no one saying what’s truly behind this. The racial animus of Trump and his cult to destroy everything Obama ever put in place is so strong that Trump will take healthcare from his own constituents and they will be joyous about it.
39
Revenge is the M.O. for this president. President Obama poked fun at Trump at a White House Correspondents Dinner and Mr. Thin-skin Bonespurs has NEVER gotten over it. His answer? To destroy every accomplishment Obama gave America. You don't make yourself any taller by cutting the legs off of your enemy.
25
Republicans continue to self destruct. How lovely. As a party they belong in the dustbin of history. Good riddance.
14
"Winning" the Mueller investigation has emboldened Trump to put his idiocy on full display. Instead of focusing on a bipartisan issue such as infrastructure, in order to try and bring unity to our divided country, Trump instead goes for the jugular. He's no more than a wrecking ball, and sometimes, wrecking balls get smashed when they go full force into a reinforced concrete wall.
11
The impact would be greatest for his base, the rural white Americans who wrongfully believe this is a handout to "non-whites." Meanwhile, the rural whites basically live off rural/farm subsidies and handouts.
Rural hospitals no longer attract real doctors. They are in deep trouble.
They voted for this imbecile, let them pay the price. Let states like NY, CA, etc. have their own version of Obama Care.
23
What a horrible group of “human beings “ -but of course the NYT team would prefer them to Bernie.
After Watergate,the Press thought of itself heroic. Now, The Press has been a great enabler to this dictatorship approach . Hello, this is people ‘s lives.
Help !
7
What's next?
Trump kicking puppies down 5th Ave. and blaming Democrats for not getting them out of the way.
13
"Many people" in Trump's base don't know shinola about health care, so why not trashcan the Affordable Care Act? "Many people" in Trump's base only care about MAGA and Trump 2020 and social media bread and circuses. Their agenda is to re-elect Trump next year and "Build the Wall!" and lock up all the very bad people who need locking up.
Mick Mulvaney, Trump's acting White House chief of staff, is assuring the president and his base of "great people" that Trump's Republican health care plan (after the Affordable Care Act is struck down by the Justice Department's suit) will "be best". Trump is promising us "a plan that's better than Obamacare!" Are we glad?
4
Are y'all going to sit at home and complain in November 2020 or do the right thing and vote? Remember you only get what you "pay for"!
15
Dick Cheney received a new heart though a government run health care plan. Perhaps his daughter could take him off it so he can reapply with a preexisting condition.
22
Mick Mulvaney, another white Southern male out to destroy our country. Past time to eliminate the Electoral College.
12
Go for it, boys. See you in 2020.
4