Instead of crafting legislation to make health care more affordable and accessible as promised, it seems Republicans are determined to do just the opposite.
Plan A was crafted in secret by 13 senators, including John Thune of South Dakota. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, it would have cost an estimated 22 million Americans their health care. After it was rejected when exposed to the light of scrutiny and it became clear the loyal opposition to the Affordable Care Act couldn’t agree on a more humane plan, Plan B — which could cost an estimated 32 million Americans their health care — was put on the table.
Why do some Republicans, including Sen. Thune, believe that pushing people out of the health care system is the best way to reform it? Why does the same party that said Obamacare would lead to death panels appear so anxious to take care away from the sick, elderly or those with ongoing medical conditions?
A vote to repeal Obamacare, rather than repeal and replace as President Trump and Republicans promised, could occur next week. If passed by the Senate and House and signed into law by Trump, millions of Americans who purchase their insurance on health exchanges will see their rates soar and in many cases will no longer be able to afford coverage. In South Dakota, more than 29,000 people get insurance from the exchanges, which the government subsidizes by assessing a tax on the wealthiest individuals to make premiums affordable.
In addition, millions more on Medicaid — including women, children and those who live in assisted living facilities or get care at rural hospitals — would lose their health care.
Why punish Americans who need health care for a political failure?
Now that the leadership of the party in power has failed to reform the most expensive health care system in the world, it wants to throw in the towel. Rather than truly lead and find a common ground that serves the best interests of their constituents, the Republican leadership wants to terminate the program and hope Democrats will be punished politically for their botched attempt at reform.
In essence, they are hoping that sick Americans, senior citizens and those with pre-existing conditions — which can be just about anything when left to an insurance company's discretion — will pressure the Democrats to support a Republican plan that lets insurers decide who gets covered and how much it will cost them.
And once this happens, the Republicans promise they will then get around to someday replacing Obamacare. If the GOP does that, it will have broken a promise the party has made for years. Now, though, voters are expected to believe this new promise without having any idea what to expect from Republican leaders who now seek to take away their health care.
If the Republican Party introduces a bill to only repeal Obamacare, it will be asking their members to choose between the party and a legislative victory or the people they represent who in many cases view this as a life-and-death matter.
Sens. Thune and Rounds and Rep. Noem need to do what is right and reject the repeal-only legislation and then work harder for a plan that is best for their constituents and America.