The Republicans failed again to repeal and replace the ACA

[Steve Rupe]

I have a suspicion that the Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell will lose his job as a result of this. The majority leader has now turned it back onto the Democrats to take care of the ACA and it will be interesting to see if the two sides work to improve the ACA as it definitely needs to be be worked on.

BTW the vote was 49-51. It is apparent that McConnell is very disappointed.

[Bladewire]

When congress fails we all fail.

This should be a bipartisan effort for everyone working together for the best of the American people. Single-payer. It's very simple. They need to stop being greedy and wanting to fill their pockets and do what's best for the American people. Just my opinion.

[Axeman]

Originally Posted by Bladewire

When congress fails we all fail.

This should be a bipartisan effort for everyone working together for the best of the American people. Single-payer. It's very simple. They need to stop being greedy and wanting to fill their pockets and do what's best for the American people. Just my opinion.

I'm not a fan of single payer. But if a legit solution can be proposed where there is private options for improved care, short lines for those that want to pay for it, and a plan can be provided to actually fund it, I'd be be all ears. But to pay for it, will require huge tax increases on everyone, and severe cuts to many things. Let's see what they put forward. We all knew Obamacare was just a way to get there. And the Republicans ensure that the only two ways forward is to enrich the insurance companies even more, or goes single payer and gut the insurance companies. Is there enough Politicians willing to gut the insurance companies and their campaign dollars? I'll believe it when I see it.

[Steve Rupe]

Originally Posted by Axeman

I'm not a fan of single payer. But if a legit solution can be proposed where there is private options for improved care, short lines for those that want to pay for it, and a plan can be provided to actually fund it, I'd be be all ears. But to pay for it, will require huge tax increases on everyone, and severe cuts to many things. Let's see what they put forward. We all knew Obamacare was just a way to get there. And the Republicans ensure that the only two ways forward is to enrich the insurance companies even more, or goes single payer and gut the insurance companies. Is there enough Politicians willing to gut the insurance companies and their campaign dollars? I'll believe it when I see it.

Well as I stated McConnell told the Democrats that the ball is back in their court again. He did not say that he would work with the Democrats so if the Republicans don't work with the Democrats to improve the ACA it will remain as is and I suspect it will die a slow death unless the Democrats can get control of congress in the midterms.

Party politics at the expense of the country/people bites the big one but that seems to be the game played this day and age and country be damned.

[Axeman]

Originally Posted by Steve Rupe

Well as I stated McConnell told the Democrats that the ball is back in their court again. He did not say that he would work with the Democrats so if the Republicans don't work with the Democrats to improve the ACA it will remain as is and I suspect it will die a slow death unless the Democrats can get control of congress in the midterms.

Party politics at the expense of the country/people bites the big one but that seems to be the game played this day and age and country be damned.

We shall see how the backlash plays out in the Senate races in 2018. However there is more at risk D seats in the 2018 race than R's. Dems have 23 up while the Repubs have 8. Nevada is in play for the Dems, with an outside shot at Flake in AZ. However the Dems are facing a tough hold in Indiana, Missouri, North Dakota. And OH and MI are in play as well. The Republican failing to get their promise to the voters definitely helps a few of those Dem seats possibly remain Dem though.

[ilnjscb]

At this point I'm confused. Is the IRS allowed (or forced) to enforce the penalty or are Mnuchin and Koskinen holding back on enforcement?

[Barry-xlovecam]

Who'd have ever thought John McCain would be the deciding vote AGAINST the Republican healthcare side show?

Funny thing happens to a man right after he faces serious medical downturns or has a near death experience: He becomes thankful for his survival and most emphatic to others facing the same fate -- or becomes -- bitter and hateful.

John McCain may be somewhat of a defense spending extremist but I think, at heart, he is an honorable man.

[crockett]

Originally Posted by Axeman

I'm not a fan of single payer. But if a legit solution can be proposed where there is private options for improved care, short lines for those that want to pay for it, and a plan can be provided to actually fund it, I'd be be all ears. But to pay for it, will require huge tax increases on everyone, and severe cuts to many things. Let's see what they put forward. We all knew Obamacare was just a way to get there. And the Republicans ensure that the only two ways forward is to enrich the insurance companies even more, or goes single payer and gut the insurance companies. Is there enough Politicians willing to gut the insurance companies and their campaign dollars? I'll believe it when I see it.

You say huge tax increases but you guys always forget your premiums will then go away.. For a average single person insurance premiums is about $50-80 per week. Do you really think the taxes would go up more than that?

Of course it wouldn't. Sure your taxes would go up but your overall cost would go down.. Added to this under a single payer system you wouldn't have crazy deductibles to deal with. So sure taxes go up a bit but your actual costs go way the fuck down.

[onwebcam]

I see the usual suspects still haven't got a fucking clue as to what's about to occur.

[Bladewire]

Now the Republicans will do everything they can to payoff the insurance companies by sabatoging Obamacare so it fails. This huge embarrassement is too much for them they want revenge

[Barry-xlovecam]

I have to wonder how many employers would increase wages in relation to amounts that they would save when not paying employee premiums for healthcare; healthcare that would be paid for by a universal health care tax apportioned on a consumption tax (VAT or national sales tax) basis?

If some universal healthcare insurance was funded by payroll withholding or SE tax, like Medicare is now, is would be most unfair to lower to mid-wage earners. Universal means just that everyone pays the same rates.

If you cannot afford that new Porsche or vacation home because of the new VAT tax -- tough shit.

[onwebcam]

Originally Posted by Bladewire

Now the Republicans will do everything they can to payoff the insurance companies by sabatoging Obamacare so it fails. This huge embarrassement is too much for them they want revenge

Newsflash: Obamacare already failed. Even Democrats on the Senate floor admitted it.

Originally Posted by Barry-xlovecam

I have to wonder how many employers would increase wages in relation to amounts that they would save when not paying employee premiums for healthcare; healthcare that would be paid for by a universal health care tax apportioned on a consumption tax (VAT or national sales tax) basis?

If some universal healthcare insurance was funded by payroll withholding or SE tax, like Medicare is now, is would be most unfair to lower to mid-wage earners. Universal means just that everyone pays the same rates.

If you cannot afford that new Porsche or vacation home because of the new VAT tax -- tough shit.

There's no point in the discussion. Washington is not going to do ANYTHING that will eliminate an entire industry.

Obamcare 2.0 is it, period.

We get both. Pay the high premiums (by force) AND pay higher taxes (by force)

If both sides are on board. Who can argue? Because you and I don't have a say. Washington and the health care industry are the deciders here and they both want more of our money.

[Bladewire]

Originally Posted by onwebcam

Newsflash: Obamacare already failed. Even Democrats on the Senate floor admitted it.

You don't get it.

Congress failed.

Saying "Obamacare" failed is social conditioning blaming a program.

Congress is failing because they can't agree on the tweaks where everyone gets the payoff they want.

Obamacare is a program created & maintained by congress, just like Medicaid, etc. and issues with the program are to be tweaked by congress like a finely tuned machine.

[RedFred]

Get ready, cutting social security and medicare are next order of agenda for repubes.

[Rochard]

The way they were doing this was horrible. They were voting on bills when no one knew what they contained, and then telling everyone they would "fix them later on down the line". Bullshit.

They are playing games with the healthcare for tens of millions of Americans. They don't want to do what's right, they just want to pass something - anything - so they can declare a win.

[Bladewire]

Originally Posted by Rochard

The way they were doing this was horrible. They were voting on bills when no one knew what they contained, and then telling everyone they would "fix them later on down the line". Bullshit.

They are playing games with the healthcare for tens of millions of Americans. They don't want to do what's right, they just want to pass something - anything - so they can declare a win.

Party before country, the Republican way. Divide America and line your pockets with cash.

[onwebcam]

Originally Posted by Rochard

The way they were doing this was horrible. They were voting on bills when no one knew what they contained, and then telling everyone they would "fix them later on down the line". Bullshit.

They are playing games with the healthcare for tens of millions of Americans. They don't want to do what's right, they just want to pass something - anything - so they can declare a win.

Kind of like what happened with obamacare eh? What do you think is going to happen with the bipartisan pork bill up next?

[Bladewire]

Originally Posted by onwebcam

Kind of like what happened with obamacare eh? What do you think is going to happen with the bipartisan pork bill up next?

Republicans are in charge of everything and are completely impotent at governing, as usual.

Republicans are like that ugly old man bragging about how good in bed he is and after 7 years of bragging, on a drunk night you give him a shot, and turns out even with Viagra he can't get it up = Republicans

The Republican bill is the pork bill you idiot!

Democrats want to fix, Republicans want to pork it up and line their pockets

[Busty2]

Until government cures the underlying issues of unsustainably high medical costs, over staffed hospital administration and pharmaceutical companies that are raping us. Any bill no matter how good will inevitably fail.

Chump will now blame everyone but himself for this failure and work to make sure Obama care fails, he could help sure up the system and correct its faults (mainly the insurance companies wanting extortionate profits) but he won't and the American people will suffer because Chump, being the asshole he is, only cares about himself and his now extremely tarnished image!

[onwebcam]

Originally Posted by Bladewire

Republicans are in charge of everything and are completely impotent at governing, as usual.

Republicans are like that ugly old man bragging about how good in bed he is and after 7 years of bragging, on a drunk night you give him a shot, and turns out even with Viagra he can't get it up = Republicans

The Republican bill is the pork bill you idiot!

Democrats want to fix, Republicans want to pork it up and line their pockets

Did you even read the bill? I didn't think so. The real bill. The bill written by the insurance companies. The one both sides will get behind is what this show has all been about. I called it weeks ago..

[Bladewire]

Originally Posted by Busty2

Until government cures the underlying issues of unsustainably high medical costs, over staffed hospital administration and pharmaceutical companies that are raping us. Any bill no matter how good will inevitably fail.

Chump will now blame everyone but himself for this failure and work to make sure Obama care fails, he could help sure up the system and correct its faults (mainly the insurance companies wanting extortionate profits) but he won't and the American people will suffer because Chump, being the asshole he is, only cares about himself and his now extremely tarnished image!

Well said