Posted on 10/18/2018 2:33:11 AM PDT by BlackFemaleArmyColonel
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republicans could try again to repeal Obamacare if they win enough seats in U.S. elections next month, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said on Wednesday, calling a failed 2017 push to repeal the healthcare law a “disappointment.”
In a forecast of 2019 policy goals tempered by uncertainty about who would win the congressional elections, McConnell blamed social programs, such as Social Security and Medicare, for the fast-rising national debt.
On Nov. 6, Americans will vote for candidates for the Senate and the House of Representatives.
McConnell’s Republicans now hold majority control of both chambers. Democrats will try to wrest control in races for all 435 House seats and one-third of the 100 Senate seats.
Despite their dominance of Congress and the White House, Republicans failed last year to overturn former President Barack Obama’s signature healthcare law, known as Obamacare. McConnell called it “the one disappointment of this Congress from a Republican point of view.”
He said, “If we had the votes to completely start over, we’d do it. But that depends on what happens in a couple weeks ... We’re not satisfied with the way Obamacare is working.”
McConnell’s comments drew a sharp reaction from Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and other Democrats, who have sought to portray the Republican healthcare effort as an attack on the middle class.
“If Republicans retain the Senate they will do everything they can to take away families’ health care and raise their costs,” Schumer said in a statement. “Americans should take Senator McConnell at his word.”
President Donald Trump favors ending Obamacare, which Republicans criticized as a costly and unneeded intrusion on Americans’ healthcare. About 20 million Americans have received health insurance coverage through the program, a landmark legislative achievement for Obama and Democrats.
(Excerpt) Read more at in.reuters.com ...
Blah blah blah.
Never gonna happen. There will always be just enough “Republicans” to block repeal.
0bummercare is the perfect control of the people by the rulers: obey or die.
McCain is dead this time.
Graham no longer follows him, Thune, Flake, and others see what happens when you follow Trump. And what happens when you opposed Trump.
I disagree. I think if McConnell has the votes, which is quite possible after the midterms, we may see a real repeal. The problem is they’re probably going to chicken out on pre-existing conditions. Which means the replacement legislation probably won’t get us back to insurance that’s really insurance. So while it will he an improvement, it will still be a disappointment. Still, the wailing from the left will be nice, and it can be seen as an incremental step in the right direction.
I’ll believe it when I see it.
Thanks for posting this, BFAC. :)
His words will mean nothing if the Democrats take the house.
Trump’s in favor of the Pre-existing conditions as it most of the population. The issue is how to cover them, and the methodology around it. Most states have a huge problem with people who sign up for an ACA plan, get all of their high ticket work done in the first month or two, and never actually pay.. or who sign up mid year and do the same.. again never paying.
Price’s model was better and I could see something like that coming back, or setting up the high risk pools in the states like the ICHIP programs most states had.
My opinion is that unless the government fixes the enormous pricing distortions caused by Medicare and Medicaid, they need to do something to handle the pre-existing conditions issue. To your point, so long as private insurance is used to fund these programs through the back door of pricing, there is no insurance, only redistribution for payments.
FWIW, I’m seeing lots of ads about this in Illinois - the Democrats here must see it as a plus issue for them.
MIGHT???????????????
China stooge.
He really thinks Americans are dumber than rocks.
Which is not going to happen.
Republicans are going to pick up seat in both the House and Senate.
It is only the fake news and libtard propaganda that says otherwise.
Thune, Flake, and others see what happens when you follow Trump.
—
Luckily, Flake is leaving for his new position raking leaves somewhere.
18 months too late Sen. Turtle.
“might”?
Oh yeah... now I remember..they promised to repeal it for 8 years if they won the house, senate, and white house, and then when we gave all of that to them, they stabbed us in the back.
Just when I begin to think the GOPe is growing a backbone I am reminded they are nothing but a bunch of bought and paid for liars.
We’ve heard this story before.
He’s still saying, “might”
Well isn’t Mitch just so Brave. If they loose the house, they can propose all kinds of stuff they know will never pass. Too late Mr. Turkeyneck.
Well Yertle, ya “might” wanna get re-elected too!
Can't the repeal with simple majority but to replace won't they need 60?
Total BS.
Looks like McConnell feels like manspreading in his Senate seat. Go for it, Mitch! It’s a new world.
Revisit it in January. Maybe we’ll get something done.
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