Trumpcare Redux

Many Republicans and Trumpers are celebrating over the passage in the House of The American Health Care Act (AHCA). Nothing has really been accomplished yet. This bill still has to go to the Senate, be revised, go to conference committee, go back to the House, go back to the Senate, then to the President. That's the best case scenario. If the bill has changes after the conference committee it basically goes back to the end of the line and starts over. There is also the possibility that after any changes, the vote will also change. 

One big issue with this bill is that no one knows what is actually in it. Most of the Representatives questioned after the vote admitted that they haven't read the bill and are not sure what is or isn't in it. Several other Representatives who voted for it have serious reservations. They are publicly saying that they hope the Senate makes positive changes to the bill and fix its problems. 

Another big issue is that the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has not evaluated this bill. That means we don't know how much the bill will cost or what effect it has on actual healthcare. The predecessor bill, which was never voted on, was projected to cover 24 million fewer people and to cost more than The Affordable Care Act (ACA), aka Obamacare. Since the CBO hasn't reviewed this iteration of the AHCA, we don't know how much those numbers changed. 

Let me also point out that the Republicans voting for this bill are so thrilled with it that they exempted all Representatives, Senators and staff members from this health coverage. Another example of politicians abiding by the "do as I say, not what I do" rule. 

It seems to me that Trump and the Republicans were way more interested in passing any repeal and replace bill, a victory, than actually improving health care. Donald wanted to prove he is "winning" and Speaker Paul Ryan needed some kind, any kind, of victory in the House. This governing as the majority party is proving way more difficult and complicated than anyone knew. 

I am more than happy for the Republicans to be joined at the hip to this disastrous health care bill. My hope is that during the coming Senate/House negotiations the bill dies a long and painful, for Trump and the Republicans, death. Then even though the bill fails, those who voted for it will still be tied to it for the 2018 elections. I fear that if the bill ever becomes law that many people will suffer because of the reductions in health care and the increased costs. That would be extremely sad but it may take that to finally boot the Republicans out of office and get truly affordable and comprehensive health insurance and care in place. A bipartisan enduring solution, not one that changes with every election. 

This chapter in the Trump administration has just begun. We'll all be watching it unfold over the coming months. My wild and probably unrealistic wish is that we come out of this exercise with a wonderful health care bill. I'm not optimistic.

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