Healthcare Redux Revisited
What was that old axiom that describes the meaning of insanity? Obsessively repeating a clearly failed activity and expecting a different outcome.
The Republican controlled Congress has its chance (again) to vote on repeal of the Affordable Care Act. During the Obama Administration, the legislative body voted unsuccessfully over 60 times to axe the law, which was the first meaningful move toward a system of universal healthcare in the United States. Now, with the three branches of government in the hands of the GOP, the attempt to reject the ACA is set to be repeated with over twenty votes against repeal coming from dissatisfied radical Republicans.
When President Trump was elected, Republican leaders scrambled to put together their own healthcare plan that utilized the party's free market-based philosophy, tax credits and health savings accounts as a means of financing. Most health authorities say the consequences of putting in place the Republican proposal--which would cut funds for the poor, the elderly and the disabled--would be devastating, with a projected 24 million people losing their coverage according to the Congressional Budget Office. Insurance companies would get a tax break of 145 billion dollars; drug companies a tax break of 25 billion and makers of medical devices about 20 billion of tax relief.
First, Congress has to vote to repeal the ACA and it would appear that the chances for that are getting worse every day. Polling conducted over the last 72 hours show only 17 percent favorability for the GOP healthcare proposal. Political opinion makers have stated that the fate of Trumpcare could mark a clear do-or-die in the administration's ability to get its tax reform ideas, its immigration policy, and its infrastructure plans enacted. If the current numbers are any indication, the presumed highlights of Trump's first 100 days may be rapidly dimming, exposing the beginning of the president's abandonment by the country.
The Republican controlled Congress has its chance (again) to vote on repeal of the Affordable Care Act. During the Obama Administration, the legislative body voted unsuccessfully over 60 times to axe the law, which was the first meaningful move toward a system of universal healthcare in the United States. Now, with the three branches of government in the hands of the GOP, the attempt to reject the ACA is set to be repeated with over twenty votes against repeal coming from dissatisfied radical Republicans.
When President Trump was elected, Republican leaders scrambled to put together their own healthcare plan that utilized the party's free market-based philosophy, tax credits and health savings accounts as a means of financing. Most health authorities say the consequences of putting in place the Republican proposal--which would cut funds for the poor, the elderly and the disabled--would be devastating, with a projected 24 million people losing their coverage according to the Congressional Budget Office. Insurance companies would get a tax break of 145 billion dollars; drug companies a tax break of 25 billion and makers of medical devices about 20 billion of tax relief.
First, Congress has to vote to repeal the ACA and it would appear that the chances for that are getting worse every day. Polling conducted over the last 72 hours show only 17 percent favorability for the GOP healthcare proposal. Political opinion makers have stated that the fate of Trumpcare could mark a clear do-or-die in the administration's ability to get its tax reform ideas, its immigration policy, and its infrastructure plans enacted. If the current numbers are any indication, the presumed highlights of Trump's first 100 days may be rapidly dimming, exposing the beginning of the president's abandonment by the country.
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