Senate Democrats Demand Republicans To Explain What They’ll Replace Obamacare With Before They Repeal It

Oh, the delicious irony.

Remember during the pre-Obamacare days, when Nancy Pelosi said we had to “pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it, away from the fog of the controversy”?

[arve url=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/hV-05TLiiLU”]

Well, now that the Trump team is taking over, repealing and replacing Obamacare looks like a legitimate possibility. House Speaker Paul Ryan said he imagines a phase-out of Obamacare that won’t leave anyone “worse off.”

“It will clearly take time. It took them about six years to stand up Obamacare. It’s not going to be replaced come next football season,” Ryan said in an interview Monday.

“…clearly there will be a transition and a bridge so that no one is left out in the cold, so that no one is worse off. The purpose here is to bring relief to people who are suffering from Obamacare so that they can get something better,” he added.

Trump has said in the past that he’s in favor of keeping the pre-existing coverage portion of Obamacare but not the individual mandate. In his 7-step plan, he calls on Congress to:

1. Completely repeal Obamacare. Our elected representatives must eliminate the individual mandate. No person should be required to buy insurance unless he or she wants to.
2. Modify existing law that inhibits the sale of health insurance across state lines. As long as the plan purchased complies with state requirements, any vendor ought to be able to offer insurance in any state. By allowing full competition in this market, insurance costs will go down and consumer satisfaction will go up.
3. Allow individuals to fully deduct health insurance premium payments from their tax returns under the current tax system. Businesses are allowed to take these deductions so why wouldn’t Congress allow individuals the same exemptions? As we allow the free market to provide insurance coverage opportunities to companies and individuals, we must also make sure that no one slips through the cracks simply because they cannot afford insurance. We must review basic options for Medicaid and work with states to ensure that those who want healthcare coverage can have it.
4. Allow individuals to use Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Contributions into HSAs should be tax-free and should be allowed to accumulate. These accounts would become part of the estate of the individual and could be passed on to heirs without fear of any death penalty. These plans should be particularly attractive to young people who are healthy and can afford high-deductible insurance plans. These funds can be used by any member of a family without penalty. The flexibility and security provided by HSAs will be of great benefit to all who participate.
5. Require price transparency from all healthcare providers, especially doctors and healthcare organizations like clinics and hospitals. Individuals should be able to shop to find the best prices for procedures, exams or any other medical-related procedure.
6. Block-grant Medicaid to the states. Nearly every state already offers benefits beyond what is required in the current Medicaid structure. The state governments know their people best and can manage the administration of Medicaid far better without federal overhead. States will have the incentives to seek out and eliminate fraud, waste and abuse to preserve our precious resources.
7. Remove barriers to entry into free markets for drug providers that offer safe, reliable and cheaper products. Congress will need the courage to step away from the special interests and do what is right for America. Though the pharmaceutical industry is in the private sector, drug companies provide a public service. Allowing consumers access to imported, safe and dependable drugs from overseas will bring more options to consumers.

Critics argue that repealing the Affordable Care Act will be messy, but it’s already messy. As Ryan put it, “Obamacare is failing and failing quickly…there is nowhere to go but up with respect to Obamacare.”

With people losing their existing plans by the droves (don’t forget, premiums are expected to rise nationally by 25% in 2017), it can’t get much worse. (Well, it can, but hopefully it won’t get to that point.) In some cases, people with chronic illnesses aren’t even going to the doctor for treatment, because they can’t afford it.

But enough of that nonsense! Do Republicans really think they can repeal and replace Obamacare without explaining their entire plan to the American people?!

The Trump Team owes it to the American people to explain how they’ll provide health coverage BEFORE they repeal it. https://t.co/CrLdcGNBKk

— Senate Democrats (@SenateDems) December 6, 2016

Seriously! Who takes action and passes a bill without ACTUALLY EXPLAINING it to the American people (or reading it themselves, for that matter)?

@SenateDems AAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHA
Oh. You’re trying to be serious.

— C-Shellن (@Isla_78) December 8, 2016

@SenateDems You owed us to tell us what was in the Obamacare crap sandwich BEFORE you passed it assholes.

— Colorado RedTraci (@EXgoptraci) December 6, 2016

Hey, remember “we have to pass it before you can see what’s in it?”
Get in the back seat where you belong.@SenateDems

— ??Technician?? (@HarryThetech76) December 6, 2016

@SenateDems @mkraju
You weren’t too concerned about Obamacare’s details before you passed it. Or high premiums. https://t.co/Ud5sqc0Mvj

— Wright (@WrightBrunoS) December 7, 2016

It’s not like they don’t have anything to work with. The consensus seems to be that Republicans will work off proposals offered by future health secretary Tom Price, Sens. Richard Burr, Tom Coburn and Orrin Hatch and Speaker Ryan himself.

Democrats are pretending to look out for the American people. Isn’t that adorable?

h/t Twitchy