search
Sections List
American Journal News

Senate Dems on GOP's disastrous Obamacare replacement plan: "Hell no"

It took the Republican Party 2,541 days since its passage to legislatively introduce what they are presenting as a replacement for the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare. The “American Health Care Act” bill introduced by Republicans is a dud on arrival that rolls back a safety net millions of Americans rely on, in a process […]

By Oliver Willis - March 07, 2017
Share
Casey-Clinton Endorsement

It took the Republican Party 2,541 days since its passage to legislatively introduce what they are presenting as a replacement for the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare. The “American Health Care Act” bill introduced by Republicans is a dud on arrival that rolls back a safety net millions of Americans rely on, in a process notable for its deception and duplicity.

Fortunately, the bill faces intense opposition from Democrats, and even a few Republicans have begun to retreat from the bill engineered by House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) and his right-wing henchmen on Capitol Hill.

Immediately after the text of the bill was released, Democrats announced they would fight it tooth and nail, refusing to give the legislation credibility it has not earned.

Republicans have kept the bill away from public scrutiny, put under lock and key in a basement room in the Capitol, available only to sympathetic allies. Even Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), who has come out in favor of a far more severe and conservative replacement plan, was barred from viewing the draft legislation.

The plan is reportedly to push the legislation through and have it signed by Donald Trump into law before it is even scored by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) — likely because previous CBO analysis of earlier and leaked versions of the Republican plan revealed millions of people would lose health insurance coverage.

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) highlighted this attempt to deceive in a statement, noting, “Without a CBO score to reveal the catastrophic consequences of their Make America Sick Again bill, Republicans must not move forward with a committee vote.  The American people deserve to see what Republicans are trying to do to their health care.”

Pelosi elaborated on the problems with the bill in an appearance on CBS This Morning:

KING: …it’s no surprise to you that he said this was a better plan than Obamacare. I’ve heard the Democrats’ rallying cry now is “Make America Sick Again.”

PELOSI: Yes.

KING: So, what is your reaction to what you’re hearing this morning? What concerns you most?

PELOSI: Just when you think you’ve seen it all, the Republicans go to a more extreme place. This will make millions of people — it’s a question of 10, 15, 20 million people — off of having health insurance. It will be the biggest transfer of wealth from low and middle income people to wealthy people in our country. You don’t think of it that way. That’s why we say to them: Show us the numbers. Show us the numbers of that. But the impact is personally on people, show us the numbers as to how many people will be thrown off. It is real — it couldn’t be worse.

By comparison, despite Republican rhetoric to the contrary, the Affordable Care Act was legislatively introduced in late 2009 but not signed into law until March of 2010. It was debated at length in the House and Senate, as well as in the public sphere in contentious town hall meetings, in the media, and online. Provisions of the bill were picked apart and examined, facing political bickering, unified Republican opposition and legislative tactics that helped to delay its passage.

The bill’s contents are even more appalling and disappointing, and show that Republicans simply do not care about the massive disruption it would cause to Americans in dire circumstances. Michael Hiltzik of the Los Angeles Times describes it as “a nastier, more consumer-unfriendly proposal than even close followers could have expected.”

As is so often the case with legislation Republicans champion, the bill is a giant tax cut for the extremely wealthy. The taxes in Obamacare, which have fueled an unprecedented expansion of health insurance, would be repealed to the tune of $346 billion over 10 years, all going to those earning over $200,000. Additionally, this massive tax cut would harm the funding for Medicare, a program millions rely on for coverage.

A glaring example of how the bill would erode health care, rather than help it, is the provision to defund Planned Parenthood — the newest attempt in a repeated campaign by conservatives to attack the organization that provides health services to women, particularly those in lower economic brackets. NARAL Pro-Choice America slammed this in a statement, pointing out, “The GOP obsession with repealing the ACA and defunding Planned Parenthood is a perilous one that comes with a high cost to the public, and to the GOP’s future in politics. Rest assured that NARAL’s 1.2 million member-activists will stand up to this latest GOP attack on our health care.”

The bill further attacks choice by forbidding federal tax subsidies for health care plans that include abortion coverage, even if the insured person does not actually get an abortion.

Medicaid expansion would be repealed as of December 31, 2019, and those who have received care as a result would be left out in the cold. Even some Republicans have said this goes too far for them. Senators Rob Portman (R-OH), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Cory Gardner (R-CO), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), all represent states that have enacted Medicaid expansion and have said they will oppose a bill that repeals it. In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), the Republicans said, “Reform should not come at the cost of disruption in access to health care for our country’s most vulnerable and sickest individuals.”

The legislation also eliminates employer and individual mandates, which are necessary to keep health insurance markets afloat. Hiltzik points out that “Individuals would be able to drop their coverage immediately, which will wreak havoc with the market starting right now.”

Instead of subsidies based on income, Republicans have changed the formulation to focus on age. Right now, Obamacare helps households who cannot afford insurance to do so via those income-based subsidies. The Republican alternative would instead finance younger, wealthier people. Discussing an earlier draft with a similar provision, the Kaiser Family Foundation said, “People who are lower income, older or live in high-premium areas would be particularly disadvantaged.”

Vox’s Sarah Kliff notes, “The replacement plan benefits people who are healthy and high-income, and disadvantages those who are sicker and lower-income,” a toxic brew and yet the best Republicans could come up with after seven years.

And that is what has led to previously uninvolved Americans facing down Republican legislators in town halls across the country, alarmed that the party in power is dead set on eliminating their health insurance. It is the mindset fueling the resistance to the Trump-Ryan agenda, and why this bill will be opposed with vehemence, perhaps unlike anything we have ever seen before.


Read More
AJ News
Latest
Minnesota House candidates take far-right stances on birth control and vaccines

Minnesota House candidates take far-right stances on birth control and vaccines

By Jesse Valentine - November 04, 2024
 Competitive Michigan House races feature anti-labor Republican candidates

 Competitive Michigan House races feature anti-labor Republican candidates

By Jesse Valentine - November 01, 2024
In her words: At age 17, DakotaRei escaped Texas to get an abortion

In her words: At age 17, DakotaRei escaped Texas to get an abortion

By Bonnie Fuller - October 31, 2024
Republican Larry Hogan takes in thousands from big pharma in final months of campaign

Republican Larry Hogan takes in thousands from big pharma in final months of campaign

By Jesse Valentine - October 30, 2024
Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer spent campaign funds on hotel stays, limo services

Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer spent campaign funds on hotel stays, limo services

By Jesse Valentine - October 30, 2024
Republican Bernie Moreno floats gutting “all” government investments for child care

Republican Bernie Moreno floats gutting “all” government investments for child care

By Jesse Valentine - October 30, 2024
Republicans campaign with Georgia’s Mike Collins despite racially charged remarks

Republicans campaign with Georgia’s Mike Collins despite racially charged remarks

By Jesse Valentine - October 28, 2024
Republican Michigan Legislature candidates backed unpopular abortion restrictions

Republican Michigan Legislature candidates backed unpopular abortion restrictions

By Jesse Valentine - October 28, 2024
Republican Kelly Ayotte’s record shows strong opposition to public school funding

Republican Kelly Ayotte’s record shows strong opposition to public school funding

By Jesse Valentine - October 23, 2024
Texas lawmakers backing school vouchers also pushed far-right education policies

Texas lawmakers backing school vouchers also pushed far-right education policies

By Jesse Valentine - October 23, 2024
Republican Rob Bresnahan endorsed controversial school choice policies

Republican Rob Bresnahan endorsed controversial school choice policies

By Jesse Valentine - October 22, 2024
Indiana Republican Micah Beckwith compared abortion to slavery and the Holocaust

Indiana Republican Micah Beckwith compared abortion to slavery and the Holocaust

By Jesse Valentine - October 16, 2024
Rick Scott’s new ad could land him in hot water with the Department of Defense

Rick Scott’s new ad could land him in hot water with the Department of Defense

By Jesse Valentine - October 15, 2024
Dan Bishop’s tough on crime talk clashes with his votes to deny police funding

Dan Bishop’s tough on crime talk clashes with his votes to deny police funding

By Jesse Valentine - October 08, 2024
Republican Rob Bresnahan invested thousands in company with ties to Chinese military

Republican Rob Bresnahan invested thousands in company with ties to Chinese military

By Jesse Valentine - October 07, 2024
More recordings show Sheehy disparaging Natives, federal government, Tester

More recordings show Sheehy disparaging Natives, federal government, Tester

By Darrell Ehrlick, Daily Montanan - October 04, 2024
Jacky Rosen targeted by GOP groups over discredited stock allegations

Jacky Rosen targeted by GOP groups over discredited stock allegations

By Jesse Valentine - October 04, 2024
Bernie Moreno backed plan to raise health care costs, reward hospital executives

Bernie Moreno backed plan to raise health care costs, reward hospital executives

By Jesse Valentine - October 01, 2024
Two Georgia Moms Are First Women to Die From Abortion Bans

Two Georgia Moms Are First Women to Die From Abortion Bans

By Bonnie Fuller - September 23, 2024
McCormick’s firm invested millions in Iran-linked companies, including weapons manufacturer

McCormick’s firm invested millions in Iran-linked companies, including weapons manufacturer

By Jesse Valentine - September 18, 2024
Senate hopeful Hung Cao backed plan that puts Social Security, veterans’ benefits at risk

Senate hopeful Hung Cao backed plan that puts Social Security, veterans’ benefits at risk

By Jesse Valentine - September 18, 2024
Senate candidate Eric Hovde’s bank financed nursing homes facing abuse accusations

Senate candidate Eric Hovde’s bank financed nursing homes facing abuse accusations

By Jesse Valentine - September 18, 2024
Gov. Gianforte’s mission to ban abortion could be impeded by state referendum

Gov. Gianforte’s mission to ban abortion could be impeded by state referendum

By Jesse Valentine - September 13, 2024
Republican Kelly Ayotte’s opposition to ACA clashes with most voters

Republican Kelly Ayotte’s opposition to ACA clashes with most voters

By Jesse Valentine - September 04, 2024
Laurie Buckhout calls China a threat while holding thousands in China-linked investments

Laurie Buckhout calls China a threat while holding thousands in China-linked investments

By Jesse Valentine - August 23, 2024
Sen. Rick Scott leaves hurricane-ravaged Florida to fundraise and campaign for Trump

Sen. Rick Scott leaves hurricane-ravaged Florida to fundraise and campaign for Trump

By Jesse Valentine - August 21, 2024
Wealthy U.S. Senate candidate Bernie Moreno wants more tax cuts for the rich

Wealthy U.S. Senate candidate Bernie Moreno wants more tax cuts for the rich

By Jesse Valentine - August 21, 2024
Voter registrations in Maine spiked after Harris announced candidacy

Voter registrations in Maine spiked after Harris announced candidacy

By Emma Davis, Maine Morning Star - August 14, 2024
No, Sen. Bob Casey did not invest in a Chinese fentanyl company

No, Sen. Bob Casey did not invest in a Chinese fentanyl company

By Jesse Valentine - August 14, 2024
Republican Eric Hovde’s company drove small businesses into bankruptcy

Republican Eric Hovde’s company drove small businesses into bankruptcy

By Jesse Valentine - August 13, 2024
GOP Rep. Ryan Zinke’s campaign spent cash on fine dining, luxury stays

GOP Rep. Ryan Zinke’s campaign spent cash on fine dining, luxury stays

By Jesse Valentine - August 12, 2024
U.S. House candidate Rob Bresnahan said anti-abortion ruling “did what it should do”

U.S. House candidate Rob Bresnahan said anti-abortion ruling “did what it should do”

By Jesse Valentine - August 06, 2024
Caught on camera: Migrants working on anti-Immigration hardliner Greg Gianforte’s property

Caught on camera: Migrants working on anti-Immigration hardliner Greg Gianforte’s property

By Jesse Valentine - August 05, 2024
Republican Rep. Ken Calvert opposes abortion access for military personnel

Republican Rep. Ken Calvert opposes abortion access for military personnel

By Jesse Valentine - July 29, 2024
Kelly Ayotte hired consultant who pushed controversial Project 2025 agenda

Kelly Ayotte hired consultant who pushed controversial Project 2025 agenda

By Jesse Valentine - July 26, 2024
Trump, MAGA campaign against Harris already laced with misogyny, racism

Trump, MAGA campaign against Harris already laced with misogyny, racism

By Dana Gentry, Nevada Current - July 24, 2024
Republican Sen. Ted Cruz doesn’t want to talk about Texas’ restrictive abortion ban

Republican Sen. Ted Cruz doesn’t want to talk about Texas’ restrictive abortion ban

By Jesse Valentine - July 23, 2024
Republican Tim Sheehy often brags about his business record. His company is in the red.

Republican Tim Sheehy often brags about his business record. His company is in the red.

By Jesse Valentine - July 22, 2024
Big investors are buying up single-family homes. Sen. Sherrod Brown has a plan to stop them.

Big investors are buying up single-family homes. Sen. Sherrod Brown has a plan to stop them.

By Jesse Valentine - July 09, 2024
New Mexico Senate nom Nella Domenici earned up to $1 million renting out Connecticut home

New Mexico Senate nom Nella Domenici earned up to $1 million renting out Connecticut home

By Jesse Valentine - July 08, 2024
GOP’s Mark Robinson blames bad fathers for social ills despite own son’s criminal record

GOP’s Mark Robinson blames bad fathers for social ills despite own son’s criminal record

By Jesse Valentine - July 03, 2024
Kelly Ayotte’s history of backing Medicare cuts could be hurdle in governor’s race

Kelly Ayotte’s history of backing Medicare cuts could be hurdle in governor’s race

By Jesse Valentine - July 02, 2024
Texas Republican Ken Paxton enlisted outside group to gut rights for pregnant workers

Texas Republican Ken Paxton enlisted outside group to gut rights for pregnant workers

By Jesse Valentine - June 24, 2024
Ted Cruz leverages Trump conviction on podcast for own personal gain

Ted Cruz leverages Trump conviction on podcast for own personal gain

By Jesse Valentine - June 11, 2024
Arizona Republican Kari Lake proposes massive cuts to Medicaid and Medicare

Arizona Republican Kari Lake proposes massive cuts to Medicaid and Medicare

By Jesse Valentine - June 10, 2024
Virginia U.S. Senate candidate Hung Cao says workplace diversity is ‘Marxism’

Virginia U.S. Senate candidate Hung Cao says workplace diversity is ‘Marxism’

By Jesse Valentine - June 06, 2024
Republican Bernie Moreno’s rags-to-riches story exposed as a lie

Republican Bernie Moreno’s rags-to-riches story exposed as a lie

By Jesse Valentine - May 24, 2024
What happens to clinics after a state bans abortion? They fight to survive.

What happens to clinics after a state bans abortion? They fight to survive.

By Chabeli Carrazana and Shefali Luthra - May 22, 2024
Former Sen. Kelly Ayotte took job at Caterpillar after tax fraud probe

Former Sen. Kelly Ayotte took job at Caterpillar after tax fraud probe

By Jesse Valentine - May 21, 2024
Alabama OB-GYN residencies dropped over 20% after Dobbs, state abortion ban, says analysis

Alabama OB-GYN residencies dropped over 20% after Dobbs, state abortion ban, says analysis

By Alander Rocha, Alabama Reflector - May 21, 2024
House GOP celebrates National Police Week while pushing to defund local law enforcement

House GOP celebrates National Police Week while pushing to defund local law enforcement

By Jesse Valentine - May 16, 2024
Evolution denier Mark Robinson could reshape North Carolina’s education system

Evolution denier Mark Robinson could reshape North Carolina’s education system

By Jesse Valentine - May 16, 2024
Republican Jay Ashcroft backs anti-abortion clinics that push lies and disinformation

Republican Jay Ashcroft backs anti-abortion clinics that push lies and disinformation

By Jesse Valentine - May 14, 2024
Republican Sam Brown’s assault on teacher unions could backfire

Republican Sam Brown’s assault on teacher unions could backfire

By Jesse Valentine - May 09, 2024
Florida abortion ban puts GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna’s anti-choice views in spotlight

Florida abortion ban puts GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna’s anti-choice views in spotlight

By Jesse Valentine - May 07, 2024
Trump leaves door open to banning medication abortion nationwide

Trump leaves door open to banning medication abortion nationwide

By Jennifer Shutt, States Newsroom - April 30, 2024
Republican Caroleene Dobson wants Alabama abortion ban to go nationwide

Republican Caroleene Dobson wants Alabama abortion ban to go nationwide

By Jesse Valentine - April 30, 2024
Ohio Gov. DeWine said he didn’t know of millions in FirstEnergy support. Is it plausible?

Ohio Gov. DeWine said he didn’t know of millions in FirstEnergy support. Is it plausible?

By Marty Schladen, Ohio Capital Journal - April 29, 2024
GOP Rep. Zach Nunn suggests laws against hate crime aren’t needed

GOP Rep. Zach Nunn suggests laws against hate crime aren’t needed

By Jesse Valentine - April 15, 2024
GOP Senate candidate Hung Cao blames racial equity for Baltimore bridge tragedy

GOP Senate candidate Hung Cao blames racial equity for Baltimore bridge tragedy

By Jesse Valentine - March 29, 2024
GOP Rep. Jennifer Kiggans donates thousands to far-right extremists

GOP Rep. Jennifer Kiggans donates thousands to far-right extremists

By Jesse Valentine - March 08, 2024
Ohio senate candidate Bernie Moreno: “Absolute pro-life no exceptions.”

Ohio senate candidate Bernie Moreno: “Absolute pro-life no exceptions.”

By Jesse Valentine - March 07, 2024
Anti-China Republicans pocket thousands from Chinese owned conglomerate

Anti-China Republicans pocket thousands from Chinese owned conglomerate

By Jesse Valentine - March 04, 2024
Republican Eric Hovde makes inconsistent statements about family history

Republican Eric Hovde makes inconsistent statements about family history

By Jesse Valentine - February 26, 2024
Republican David McCormick invests millions in website that platforms Holocaust denial

Republican David McCormick invests millions in website that platforms Holocaust denial

By Jesse Valentine - February 09, 2024
Lawmakers will again take up bills expanding, tightening gun laws

Lawmakers will again take up bills expanding, tightening gun laws

By Annmarie Timmins, New Hampshire Bulletin - January 31, 2024
UAW delivers rousing presidential endorsement for Biden over ‘scab’ Trump

UAW delivers rousing presidential endorsement for Biden over ‘scab’ Trump

By Ashley Murray, States Newsroom - January 24, 2024
Republicans Sam Brown and Jeff Gunter sling mud in Nevada senate primary

Republicans Sam Brown and Jeff Gunter sling mud in Nevada senate primary

By Jesse Valentine - January 17, 2024
A Young Texas Woman Almost Died Due To The Texas Abortion Bans – Now She’s Battling To Save Other Women

A Young Texas Woman Almost Died Due To The Texas Abortion Bans – Now She’s Battling To Save Other Women

By Bonnie Fuller - January 10, 2024
Health care legislation preview: Maryland advocates want to focus on access, patients in 2024 session

Health care legislation preview: Maryland advocates want to focus on access, patients in 2024 session

By Danielle J. Brown, Maryland Matters - January 08, 2024
How GOP senate hopefuls try to excuse the  January 6 insurrection

How GOP senate hopefuls try to excuse the  January 6 insurrection

By Jesse Valentine - January 05, 2024
NH lawmakers will be taking up major voting bills this year. Here are some to watch for.

NH lawmakers will be taking up major voting bills this year. Here are some to watch for.

By Ethan DeWitt, New Hampshire Bulletin - January 04, 2024
Republican US Senate candidates want to make Trump’s tax cuts permanent 

Republican US Senate candidates want to make Trump’s tax cuts permanent 

By Jesse Valentine - December 22, 2023
Rand Paul went all in on the Kentucky governor’s race. It didn’t work.

Rand Paul went all in on the Kentucky governor’s race. It didn’t work.

By - December 15, 2023
Texas governor and attorney general do little to curb state’s chemical plant crisis

Texas governor and attorney general do little to curb state’s chemical plant crisis

By Jesse Valentine - December 08, 2023
Likely GOP Senate candidate Eric Hovde proposed tax hike for poorer workers and retirees

Likely GOP Senate candidate Eric Hovde proposed tax hike for poorer workers and retirees

By Jesse Valentine - December 07, 2023
Whitmer signs specific criminal penalties for assaulting health care workers into law

Whitmer signs specific criminal penalties for assaulting health care workers into law

By Anna Liz Nichols, Michigan Advance - December 06, 2023
105 Republicans voted to expel Santos for things Trump has also done

105 Republicans voted to expel Santos for things Trump has also done

By Jesse Valentine - December 05, 2023
For Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, another Trump term is another chance to kill Obamacare

For Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, another Trump term is another chance to kill Obamacare

By Jesse Valentine - December 04, 2023
Florida Sen. Rick Scott backs Donald Trump in revived push to repeal Obamacare

Florida Sen. Rick Scott backs Donald Trump in revived push to repeal Obamacare

By Jesse Valentine - November 30, 2023
Tate Reeves took donations from power company that hiked customer rates

Tate Reeves took donations from power company that hiked customer rates

By Jesse Valentine - November 06, 2023
Daniel Cameron ran on depoliticizing the Kentucky AG’s office. He made it more political.

Daniel Cameron ran on depoliticizing the Kentucky AG’s office. He made it more political.

By Jesse Valentine - November 03, 2023
Republican operatives sound every alarm on current trajectory of 2023 governor’s race

Republican operatives sound every alarm on current trajectory of 2023 governor’s race

By Adam Ganucheau, Mississippi Today - October 24, 2023
PEN America: Florida removed more library books than any state last year

PEN America: Florida removed more library books than any state last year

By Jay Waagmeester, Florida Phoenix - November 01, 2024
Trump more than ever mixes anger, fear and insults to stir supporters, say researchers

Trump more than ever mixes anger, fear and insults to stir supporters, say researchers

By Ashley Murray, States Newsroom - November 01, 2024
Louisiana health care providers sue state, claiming misoprostol law violates constitution

Louisiana health care providers sue state, claiming misoprostol law violates constitution

By Lorena O'Neil, Louisiana Illuminator - October 31, 2024