It’s no secret that health care reform dominates today’s news. Washington D.C. is abuzz, with legislators from both sides of the political spectrum arguing hard and fast to either stay the course with the existing Affordable Care Act, with some modifications, or replace it with something almost entirely different. That was the promise then presidential candidate Donald Trump made during last fall’s contentious election campaign. Now he is hoping to deliver, but he’s finding the process is much more cumbersome than even he thought.
Many GOP lawmakers feel that a near complete overhaul of the Affordable Care Act, sometimes referred to as Obama Care, is in the best interests of the country. They are scrambling to pass it through Congress as swiftly as possible. But it’s not that simple. Most Democrats and many conservatives of the GOP agree that the ACA needs some revisions. But they have chosen to oppose a complete overhaul for now until all data can be examined and scrutinized. It took Democrats nearly a year to draft the ACT. Many GOP lawmakers are hoping to repeal it within President Trump’s first 100 days in office.
The next few days will largely determine whether GOP leaders get their wish, or have to temper their efforts and allow more time to evaluate such a complex issue. For now, the lower chamber of Congress has managed to pass some major legislation. It would reshape many of the health care laws. The president has expressed a willingness to make deals with certain critics. This is to keep things moving forward, with the hope of sending a new health care plan to the Budget Committee before the end of this month.
If it then passes the House, it would be forwarded on to the Senate for further review and discussion before going to a vote.
For now, many GOP conservatives and moderates plus most, if not all, Democrats question the lightning fast process. They pledge to derail any plan. This is until it can be determined how any new bill will affect the federal deficit and millions of insured Americans. Jockeying for key positions will continue on the Hill. And what ultimately comes out of all these talks is still to be determined. Many Senate leaders have expressed concerns about acting too swiftly, so passage by the Senate is still up in the air. If you are concerned or have your own thoughts on how you would improve health care, contact lawmakers. Share with them both your concerns and any proposed changes to the system. After all, it’s your money in the end that helps fund not only health care but their salaries as well.
If you have any questions, Health Plans in Oregon can help.
