search
Sections List
American Journal News

Watch Trump's Health Secretary dodge millions who will lose insurance under Trumpcare

Republicans love props. At Sean Spicer’s first televised White House briefing since the Republicans rolled out their disastrous “replacement” for Obamacare, at which he was accompanied by Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, the dais featured this simplistic visual aid: Prediction: the pile on the left is GOP #MakeAmericaSickAgain bill, the right is Obamacare […]

By Tommy Christopher - March 07, 2017
Share
Donald Trump, Tom Price

At Sean Spicer’s first televised White House briefing since the Republicans rolled out their disastrous “replacement” for Obamacare, at which he was accompanied by Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, the dais featured this simplistic visual aid:

Price explained that the purpose of those props was just that: To demonstrate that the Republican plan is smaller than the Affordable Care Act was.

That comparison quickly turned ironic when Price was unable to comment on the provision of the bill that gives tax breaks to insurance company CEOs because he claimed not to have seen it.

Price took questions for about half an hour, including this rather pointed inquiry about the fact that the Congressional Budget Office has yet to score the GOP’s plan. Asked if he could guarantee that the plan would neither increase the deficit nor throw millions of people off of their insurance, Price would offer only this reassurance:

REPORTER: Keeping in mind that the CBO score isn’t in yet, can you guarantee that this plan will not have a markedly negative impact on the deficit, or result in millions of Americans losing health insurance?

PRICE: What I can say is that the goal and the desire, I know, of the individuals on the Hill, is to make certain that this does not increase the cost to the federal government.

Of course, the CBO has already stated that a repeal of Obamacare would result in 36 million more uninsured Americans by 2026, and Price’s response indicates not only a refusal to guarantee that will not happen, but that preventing such an outcome is not even a goal. According to Standard & Poors, the GOP plan could result in 10 million fewer insured.

As to the cost, the CBO has also previously stated that repeal would blow a hole in the deficit, and the Republican plan does not address that at all.

The Republican plan may indeed be much shorter than the Affordable Care Act in actual pages, but that means it is shorter on substance, as well. And as Price’s non-response makes clear, the GOP’s “plan” will likely lead to millions of Americans losing their affordable health insurance.


AJ News
Get the latest news here first.

Tai News

Newsletter
Read More
 Republicans choose violence in bonkers day on Capitol Hill

 Republicans choose violence in bonkers day on Capitol Hill

By Jesse Valentine - November 16, 2023
Is 2024 the year of the Instagram moms?

Is 2024 the year of the Instagram moms?

By Amanda Becker, The 19th - November 15, 2023
U.S. Department of Justice to join suit against Alabama AG’s abortion prosecution threats

U.S. Department of Justice to join suit against Alabama AG’s abortion prosecution threats

By Alander Rocha - November 10, 2023
Top Republican Senate candidates are endorsed by foes of Social Security and Medicare

Top Republican Senate candidates are endorsed by foes of Social Security and Medicare

By Jesse Valentine - November 08, 2023
Most Americans want health exceptions in abortion bans. Political infighting keeps blocking them.

Most Americans want health exceptions in abortion bans. Political infighting keeps blocking them.

By Kelcie Moseley-Morris - November 07, 2023
Possible 2024 Wisconsin Senate candidate repeatedly predicted recessions that never happened

Possible 2024 Wisconsin Senate candidate repeatedly predicted recessions that never happened

By Jesse Valentine - November 02, 2023
AJ News
Latest
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
Abortion advocates submit ballot issue affirming right to terminate pregnancy in Montana

Abortion advocates submit ballot issue affirming right to terminate pregnancy in Montana

By Nicole Girten - November 27, 2023
Proposed Arkansas ballot measure would make abortion access a constitutional right

Proposed Arkansas ballot measure would make abortion access a constitutional right

By Tess Vrbin - November 27, 2023
Assemblywoman-elect Luanne Peterpaul will be first out lesbian in New Jersey Legislature

Assemblywoman-elect Luanne Peterpaul will be first out lesbian in New Jersey Legislature

By Sophie Nieto-Muñoz - November 20, 2023
Ohio Second Amendment ‘sanctuary’ measure cleared for the House floor

Ohio Second Amendment ‘sanctuary’ measure cleared for the House floor

By Nick Evans - November 20, 2023
 David McCormick bungles critique of Sen. Casey’s China policy

 David McCormick bungles critique of Sen. Casey’s China policy

By Jesse Valentine - November 17, 2023
Conservative groups lick wounds after school board election loss, vow to continue fighting

Conservative groups lick wounds after school board election loss, vow to continue fighting

By Michelle Griffith - November 17, 2023