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Republicans and Their Nightmare Health Care Bill

Republicans say they have enough votes to pass their nightmare health care bill. No one seems to think the Senate will pass it -- without modifications.

Whatever you do, if you have health care now, don't let it lapse. Millions of people, including children, will be disadvantaged by this bill.

Jimmy Kimmel explains in this powerful and emotional segment describing his new born son's heart surgery last week. [More...]

We were brought up to believe that we live in the greatest country in the world, but until a few years ago, millions and millions of us had no access to health insurance at all. Before 2014, if you were born with congenital heart disease like my son was, there was a good chance you’d never be able to get health insurance because you had a pre-existing condition. You were born with a pre-existing condition. And if your parents didn’t have medical insurance, you might not live long enough to even get denied because of a pre-existing condition.

If your baby is going to die, and it doesn’t have to, it shouldn’t matter how much money you make. I think that’s something that, whether you’re a Republican or a Democrat or something else, we all agree on that, right?”

“This isn’t football,” Mr. Kimmel added. “There are no teams. We are the team, it’s the United States. Don’t let their partisan squabbles divide us on something every decent person wants.”

< Met Gala: Too Bizarre for Words | Republican Misopedia: Act in Haste, Repent at Leisure >
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  • Display: Sort:
    Oh, that (5.00 / 2) (#1)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu May 04, 2017 at 05:19:54 AM EST
    bill is simply horrible. Women who have been sexually assaulted or in a domestic abuse situation are now mandated to be in an preexisting condition pool which means no insurance for them. It also includes an age tax for people over 50.

    Also, the great training robbery: (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by KeysDan on Thu May 04, 2017 at 09:40:26 PM EST
    The Republican House bill cuts Medicaid funds for Special Education. It does continue to permit adult children to remain on their parent's health insurance policy until age 26.  That is, of course, if their parents (a) are able to access and afford a policy, and (b) the stinky insurance they might be able to get covers such things as sickness.

    Parent
    Uh, no (none / 0) (#25)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri May 05, 2017 at 08:53:11 AM EST
    I don't like the bill anymore than I liked Obamacare but that's not true.

    Q: Does the bill treat domestic violence, sexual assault, Caesarean section and postpartum depression as preexisting conditions?

    The bill does not spell out either what sort of preexisting conditions insurers may take into account if states seek a waiver from the existing federal law. But in the past, some insurers had identified domestic violence, sexual assault, Caesarean section and postpartum depression as grounds for either denying coverage or charging higher premiums.

    WA Post

    Making will statements that are inaccurate doesn't help.

    Parent

    Then you should stop doing it (5.00 / 2) (#26)
    by Yman on Fri May 05, 2017 at 09:37:42 AM EST
    Making will statements that are inaccurate doesn't help.

    Before Obamacare, "some" (as if that makes a difference) insurers treated sexual assault/rape as a pre-existing condition and could charge higher premiums or deny coverage.  Obamacare prohibited them from doing that.  The Republican plan will allow them to do it again.

    Parent

    No,the Repub plan will let (none / 0) (#31)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri May 05, 2017 at 03:43:25 PM EST
    some.

    Inaccurate statements only help your opponents.

    Of course if Obama had championed a single payer system instead of a plan that provided welfare for some while others paid then we wouldn't be having this discussion.

    It's a unfortunate fact of nature that when some people see other people getting something free then they become jealous.

    And that's one of the reasons the Repub plan will fail and the main reasons a single payer plan without everyone paying has never been introduced.

    Parent

    Good thing Ga6th .. (none / 0) (#32)
    by Yman on Fri May 05, 2017 at 04:11:40 PM EST
    Women who have been sexually assaulted or in a domestic abuse situation are now mandated to be in an preexisting condition pool which means no insurance for them.

    ... never said all women who have been sexually assaulted would be forced into these pools.

    Almost as ridiculous as people who claim to support single payer insurance while voting for Repubs who have consistently opposed them, then trying to blame Democrats.

    Parent

    Ah yes.. (none / 0) (#33)
    by jondee on Fri May 05, 2017 at 04:24:10 PM EST
    listen to those stigma-loaded dog whistles and savor the subtle bouquet of burning crosses wafting through the air: Obama = black people = "welfare"

    I bet Trump pushes for single payer in his second term. Yessir, don't think he won't.

    Lead, follow, or get out of the way.

    Parent

    Heh (none / 0) (#27)
    by Yman on Fri May 05, 2017 at 09:51:48 AM EST
    Are you really trying to hang your hat on the the use of the word "mandated", or suggesting Ga6th's statement applies to all victims of sexual assault in order to claim it's false?

    God luck with that.

    Parent

    Oh well (5.00 / 1) (#30)
    by jondee on Fri May 05, 2017 at 12:49:08 PM EST
    just look at as the first step toward the single payer system the Right's been pushing for for years.

    And pay no attention to that Republican loyalty oath Trump took.

    Lead, follow, or get out of the way.

    Parent

    My daughter gave birth by caesarian section. (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu May 04, 2017 at 06:05:07 AM EST
    Per former insurance company guidelines, that was considered a pre-existing condition and grounds to deny her coverage were she to change plans or carriers. Are we really going back there again?

    Economically disadvantaged but nominally reliable GOP voters who now receive affordable health care coverage through Obamacare tend to not know who was responsible for making that happen, because thanks to their party's affinity for the politics of demonization, they generally don't conflate the term "Obamacare" with the Affordable Care Act itself.

    I'll tell you what, though. They'll likely figure out pretty quickly who's responsible for taking that coverage away from them, if Republicans are so brazen and stupid enough to actually do so.

    Aloha.

    I think it's a willful ignorance (none / 0) (#6)
    by Militarytracy on Thu May 04, 2017 at 10:48:39 AM EST
    Those reliable GOP voters are bathing in.

    Parent
    My daughter, too -- to save the life (none / 0) (#8)
    by Towanda on Thu May 04, 2017 at 01:54:07 PM EST
    of my grandson, seven months old now.

    But the alleged "pro-life" Republicans will punish my daughter for her c-section.  

    And that will have to factor into the discussion, already underway by my daughter and son-in-law, as to whether to give me another grandchild.

    I am beyond angry about this bill, all perpetrated by Priebus just to give the thug in the White House a "win."  

    Parent

    With Republicans, just being a woman ... (5.00 / 1) (#23)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu May 04, 2017 at 10:58:12 PM EST
    ... appears to be a pre-existing condition.

    Parent
    David Yankovich (none / 0) (#12)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu May 04, 2017 at 02:52:09 PM EST
    is apparently seriously mulling a run against Paul Ryan. Maybe he can take him out.

    Parent
    Good, but (5.00 / 1) (#18)
    by Towanda on Thu May 04, 2017 at 05:50:36 PM EST
    he is not my Representative.  (Mine is a Democrat.)

    Ryan is too close for comfort, though -- to us all.

    Parent

    they are pretty much (none / 0) (#28)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 05, 2017 at 10:17:47 AM EST
    playing on a loop Ryans righteous indignation from 2009 having vapors that anyone would consider passing a bill without reading it.

    Parent
    this one (none / 0) (#29)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri May 05, 2017 at 10:22:18 AM EST
    War! (none / 0) (#24)
    by Militarytracy on Thu May 04, 2017 at 11:22:54 PM EST
    These Republicans, by and large, (5.00 / 2) (#10)
    by caseyOR on Thu May 04, 2017 at 02:24:30 PM EST
    voted for a bill they have not even seen, much less read, a bill that has not yet been scored by the CBO. What a reckless and irresponsible way to govern.

    I sincerely hope that every Congressperson who voted in favor of this abomination of a bill is pilloried by voters in their districts.

    All of this just so T***p can crow about a "victory." The republicans are pathetic. Vicious and hateful, but also pathetic.

    I called my (5.00 / 4) (#13)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu May 04, 2017 at 03:01:20 PM EST
    rep's office and told his person on the phone that he signed the death warrant for medically fragile children of my friends. I said I hope that he has an opponent and the opponent runs ad after ad about you voting for all the things in this bill. She just gasped. I my attitude is just suck it you jerks who don't even have to live under the same rules because you consider yourself "special"

    Parent
    the republicans are committing political suicide (none / 0) (#3)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu May 04, 2017 at 08:39:02 AM EST
    its almost unbelievable to watch them, after 7 years of their bullsh!t about Pelosi saying they had topass the bill to read it, do exatly the same thing.
    and at least her bill had been scored.
    this is amazing.

    I doubt it (5.00 / 2) (#9)
    by Towanda on Thu May 04, 2017 at 01:56:04 PM EST
    although I know that the pundits all say so.

    The Republican base doesn't think.  Evidence shows that they know, again and again, the facts.  And they don't care.  They are willing to suffer, so long as wimmen and people of color suffer more.

    Parent

    this will hit them where they live (none / 0) (#14)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu May 04, 2017 at 03:35:31 PM EST
    assuming it passes the senate that is.  i agree that they are far to stupid to care or understand the implications of what just happened unless it actually happens.  if people actually lose their healthcare we are in unexplored territory.  

    which is i asume what they are counting on.  

    Parent

    Conventional wisdom (none / 0) (#15)
    by KeysDan on Thu May 04, 2017 at 04:09:46 PM EST
    at this point, is that the House bill will not make it in the senate.  While it will take 60 votes, I am not at all convinced that the Republican Senators will let it die, or, actually, vote against it. They say that will draft their own bill, but they are smart enough to, unlike Trump, know that health care is hard.

     There has been a not too subtle change in the never Trump and other anti-Trump Republicans of late-there is even greater obstruction of the Russian/Trump connection.  Heck, old Grassley wonders what the fuss is all about, and wonders where this rumor started, CIA and FBI not withstanding.

     And, Trump is working his opponents: e.g., Mrs. (Cindy) McCain is to get an appointment at the State Department, which brings McCain, and, of course, Lindsey, along.  Others are in tow. It will be up to the Democrats, and McConnell will welcome it, to kill this monster. An opportunity the Democrats should relish, but be ready for the lies.

    Parent

    Grassley is a hack and a moron (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu May 04, 2017 at 04:26:09 PM EST
    that whole thing had the stink of desperation to me.  i agree with you the mood has changed and i believe one of the reasons is it is starting to sink in how totally fu@ked they are if they cant find a way, any way, to stop it.
    Mark Warner said recently he put the odds at two to one Trump would not complete his term.

    if he is right this healthcare BS wont even matter.

    Parent

    and i am also (none / 0) (#17)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu May 04, 2017 at 04:36:13 PM EST
    not so sure it wont make it in the senate

    Parent
    If it can be a reconciliation bill (none / 0) (#19)
    by Towanda on Thu May 04, 2017 at 05:53:14 PM EST
    -- which is being debated by good minds, but I don't know whom to believe on this -- it will take only 50 votes.

    Parent
    as far as i know (none / 0) (#20)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu May 04, 2017 at 06:04:40 PM EST
    thats the plan.  i just heard that again.  right now the senators are trying to be all statesman like and there seem to be enough to kill it.

    lets hop that holds.

    Parent

    Yes, that (none / 0) (#21)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu May 04, 2017 at 06:33:50 PM EST
    seems to be the latest story. The senate is going to do their own bill and not touch this stink bomb. We shall see.

    Parent
    Well, said Jimmy Kimmel (none / 0) (#4)
    by jondee on Thu May 04, 2017 at 10:04:05 AM EST
    Didn't know you had it in you.

    Very happy to be proven wrong.

    I wonder what those already abysmal approval ratings are going to be like in a week or so..

    The adorable deplorables are going to have to start a new chant: Lock us up! Lock us up!

    I got nothin (none / 0) (#5)
    by Militarytracy on Thu May 04, 2017 at 10:45:30 AM EST
    I'm done wringing my hands. I'm done explaining, pleading, begging. I had not even heard about the part of this legislation that Ga6th wrote about.

    The motion to suspend the rules passes. (none / 0) (#7)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu May 04, 2017 at 01:45:20 PM EST
    The bill is now on the floor, ready for passage, likely by a handful of votes, certainly five or less.

    UPDATE: Final vote was 217-213. Here's a statement from Steven J. Stack, M.D., president of the American Medical Association:

    "The bill passed by the House today will result in millions of Americans losing access to quality, affordable health insurance and those with pre-existing health conditions face the possibility of going back to the time when insurers could charge them premiums that made access to coverage out of the question. Action is needed, however, to improve the current health care insurance system. The AMA urges the Senate and the Administration to work with physician, patient, hospital and other provider groups to craft bipartisan solutions so all American families can access affordable and meaningful coverage, while preserving the safety net for vulnerable populations."

    Here's the statement from NARAL Pro-Choice American President Ilyse Hogue:

    "President Trump and Congressional Republicans have shown once again their commitment to punishing and burdening women with every step they take. When they undermine and take away the healthcare we need as women, they're clearly saying that women and our ability to plan and care for our families are not their priority. Giving money to their rich friends is. That is where they are so out of step with those they claim to represent. 

    "Americans did not vote to have their healthcare taken away or to have their access to birth control cut off -- the popularity of the Affordable Care Act proves that. Millions have marched in the streets, called their representatives, and protested at town halls to protect women's access to healthcare, and our 1.2 million member-activists will keep rising up in protest and demanding their leaders expand women's freedom and equality."

    As Nancy Pelosi noted earlier this morning, House Republicans have now tattooed themselves with the passage of what by all accounts is an increasingly unpopular measure, and have acted with a blind combativeness against the interests of many of their most loyal supporters.

    We'll now what the Senate's GOP majority does in response to this live political hand grenade that's been thrown into their midst.

    Aloha.

    Well, the vote (217-213) (none / 0) (#11)
    by KeysDan on Thu May 04, 2017 at 02:26:18 PM EST
    may rescue Ryan and Trump from the ire of Rush Limbaugh, for a while, at least, until the base finds out more about it.

      True, the base will love it while under the impression that Trumpcare deprives "those people" of care, and while they can gloat and bash Obama and liberals, socialists and Democrats.

     And, that impression will be fueled by the usual lies and misrepresentations.  But, realization of what happened, such as to those in employer health plans who feel immune from the ravages of Trumpcare, will find themselves in a pre-existing condition pool if coverage is interrupted, by a change of jobs. Or, by the skinnier coverage in the absence of reasonable standards.

    The Republican House and Trump did avoid another embarrassment, and achieved the real goal: and most important of all, eliminated the Obamacare taxes on the high/investment earners, so as to pave the way for the second tax cut bonanza for the high/investment earners.

    If the House bill does not pass the Senate, Trump has already staked out his position: a reason to elect more Republican senators and/or eliminate the 60 votes threshold.  Or, maybe, even eliminate the Senate.  In any event, the heat is off Trump since he can conjure up some more lies; the House Republicans can avoid being primaried and hope that the base will stick with them.  A win for all, except Americans.