What’s New?
You probably heard of the new healthcare bill also known as AHCA, to replace Obamacare or Affordable Care Act (ACA). Just recently, due to some delays in approving the new healthcare bill, the Republican Senators couldn’t come up with a new better solution, to repeal and place Obamacare without any replacement. It has been a seven-year vow and an on-going crusade to repeal ObamaCare that came crashing halt Tuesday night when two conservatives of the opposition, disapproved to bring it to a debate, bringing the votes to 52-48. This makes the latter impossible to reach their majority.
Here’s some staggering statistics if Obamacare is repealed and replaced.
The cost of medical expenses might increase by 25% next year and would double by 2020.
Thirty-two million Americans would lose their health insurance under the proposed bill.
Premiums would double by the year 2026.
Would cut federal deficits by $473bn.
Src: CBO
In retrospect..The Republican’s failure to overhaul the health law might be a disappointment to some and is considered as an expectation to a few.
But let us answer the question: Why Republicans failed to repeal and replace Obamacare?
- Status: It’s complicated – Health care is a very sensitive issue and a minor change to it could put a person’s life at stake. Even before ACA, many mistakes have been toiled at the congress that were turned into learning efforts.
- It’s working – If a person find something beneficial and valuable, then it’s working. With the current debate, patients would ask “What would happen to us? – a question that brings uncertainty.
- Disagreement – As we are all aware, Republican conservatives hold a 7-year old pledge to a “repeal and replace” plan for Obamacare, but a few remains undecided. Their concern is providing an affordable healthcare to those who benefited from the expansion of Medicaid. After all, parts of ACA were advantages too. It is a bridge that remains closed for the Republicans to unite.
Let us hear it from the Opposing Senators…
“I cannot vote to repeal Obamacare without a replacement plan that addresses my concerns and the needs of West Virginians.” – Capito said.
“To just say repeal and trust us, we’re going to fix the issue in a couple of years, is not going to provide comfort to their anxiety”- Makowski quoted.
Some described it as a Chaos. To some, a disaster.
And Trump has this to say:
In an apparent change of heart, Trump quoted, “ We should not leave the town without a replacement health insurance plan”. This is after he has been whiplashed following his remark to just do nothing about it and let Obamacare fail.
As the saga continues, they would raise a vote for debate by the following week- question is: Would they be able to make a replacement plan and succeed to repeal ACA? Let’s wait and see.
If you would like free assistance deciding what coverage is right for you, Health Plans in Oregon can help.
