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Meanwhile, in Obamacare: Republican disarray follows Trump’s first order Meanwhile, in Obamacare: Republican disarray follows Trump’s first order
(1 day later)
Donald Trump has been in office for just a week, but Republican attempts to rip up and reassemble the American healthcare system have subsided into disagreement, backtracking and public outrage.Donald Trump has been in office for just a week, but Republican attempts to rip up and reassemble the American healthcare system have subsided into disagreement, backtracking and public outrage.
At a GOP retreat in Philadelphia this week, audio of a closed-door policy session captured disagreement among rank-and-file members over how to reform the Affordable Care Act (ACA), known to many as Obamacare. Some worried that the party was about to “pull the rug out” from people, potentially leaving millions without any insurance at all.At a GOP retreat in Philadelphia this week, audio of a closed-door policy session captured disagreement among rank-and-file members over how to reform the Affordable Care Act (ACA), known to many as Obamacare. Some worried that the party was about to “pull the rug out” from people, potentially leaving millions without any insurance at all.
In Washington, the White House was forced to abandon part of a plan to end all advertisements warning Americans about an approaching enrollment deadline.In Washington, the White House was forced to abandon part of a plan to end all advertisements warning Americans about an approaching enrollment deadline.
And in Minnesota, a Republican plan to make 68 “essential health benefits” optional under a reformed healthcare provision was left out of legislation, after a public outcry.And in Minnesota, a Republican plan to make 68 “essential health benefits” optional under a reformed healthcare provision was left out of legislation, after a public outcry.
On his arrival in the Oval Office, Trump signed an executive order to begin the unraveling of the ACA, instructing federal agencies to take any measures available to “ease the burdens of Obamacare”. Developments since highlight the political minefield Republicans have created for themselves, particularly after Trump, consistently inconsistent, promised both “insurance for everyone” and ACA repeal.On his arrival in the Oval Office, Trump signed an executive order to begin the unraveling of the ACA, instructing federal agencies to take any measures available to “ease the burdens of Obamacare”. Developments since highlight the political minefield Republicans have created for themselves, particularly after Trump, consistently inconsistent, promised both “insurance for everyone” and ACA repeal.
The leaked recording from Philadelphia revealed how some party members worried about political fallout, according to the Washington Post.The leaked recording from Philadelphia revealed how some party members worried about political fallout, according to the Washington Post.
“We’re telling those people that we’re not going to pull the rug out from under them,” said Tom MacArthur of New Jersey. “And if we do this too fast, we are in fact going to pull the rug out from under them.”“We’re telling those people that we’re not going to pull the rug out from under them,” said Tom MacArthur of New Jersey. “And if we do this too fast, we are in fact going to pull the rug out from under them.”
Though Republicans have produced several plans to replace Barack Obama’s signature healthcare reform, no plan has emerged as a frontrunner. Senators Susan Collins and Bill Cassidy; the House speaker, Paul Ryan; and Representative Tom Price, Trump’s nominee for secretary of health and human services; have all introduced their thoughts.Though Republicans have produced several plans to replace Barack Obama’s signature healthcare reform, no plan has emerged as a frontrunner. Senators Susan Collins and Bill Cassidy; the House speaker, Paul Ryan; and Representative Tom Price, Trump’s nominee for secretary of health and human services; have all introduced their thoughts.
Inspired by @captdope, here's a commercial for HEALTH INSURANCE. https://t.co/e8KpWkyQz1- get what's yours #pullthisad 🙏 pic.twitter.com/LcJP9GdnbUInspired by @captdope, here's a commercial for HEALTH INSURANCE. https://t.co/e8KpWkyQz1- get what's yours #pullthisad 🙏 pic.twitter.com/LcJP9GdnbU
Over the weekend, the Trump administration was forced to stop attempts to pull $5m in taxpayer-funded advertisements that encourage people to sign up for health insurance under the ACA before a 31 January deadline.Over the weekend, the Trump administration was forced to stop attempts to pull $5m in taxpayer-funded advertisements that encourage people to sign up for health insurance under the ACA before a 31 January deadline.
Alarmed, many people, including celebrities, posted their own advertisements online, protesting and warning fellow Americans. About $4m in ads were pulled, Politico reported. Emails, messages, ads on Twitter and automated calls will continue.Alarmed, many people, including celebrities, posted their own advertisements online, protesting and warning fellow Americans. About $4m in ads were pulled, Politico reported. Emails, messages, ads on Twitter and automated calls will continue.
Republicans in Minnesota also did a quick about-face following outrage over a legislative amendment that would have allowed insurers to sell policies under which benefits such as maternity coverage would be optional.Republicans in Minnesota also did a quick about-face following outrage over a legislative amendment that would have allowed insurers to sell policies under which benefits such as maternity coverage would be optional.
Widely circulated text of the amendment showed that maternity care, mental health care and addiction treatment would be covered “a la carte”. All are key areas of health coverage included in all health plans under the ACA. Widely circulated text of the amendment showed that maternity care, mental healthcare and addiction treatment would be covered “a la carte”. All are key areas of health coverage included in all health plans under the ACA.
Andy Slavitt, former head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid under Obama, has become a passionate public voice in defense of the ACA.Andy Slavitt, former head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid under Obama, has become a passionate public voice in defense of the ACA.
Next time an "ACA replace" package claims it allows "patient choice," understand what they intend to exclude. This just passed the MN house. pic.twitter.com/WKaK85s99wNext time an "ACA replace" package claims it allows "patient choice," understand what they intend to exclude. This just passed the MN house. pic.twitter.com/WKaK85s99w
He said: “Every time I hear someone – some male congressman or assembly person – say, ‘Why should I have to pay for maternity coverage?’, it just makes me want to think about, ‘Well, you were born, weren’t you? Didn’t your mother need maternity coverage?’”He said: “Every time I hear someone – some male congressman or assembly person – say, ‘Why should I have to pay for maternity coverage?’, it just makes me want to think about, ‘Well, you were born, weren’t you? Didn’t your mother need maternity coverage?’”
Minnesota Republicans pitched their attack on health benefits as an issue of “personal freedom”, meant to allow “choice” of lower-cost healthcare for people who believe they don’t need, for example, mental health care or addiction treatment. The bill was reportedly pulled after dozens of outraged phone calls and emails to the state legislature. Minnesota Republicans pitched their attack on health benefits as an issue of “personal freedom”, meant to allow “choice” of lower-cost healthcare for people who believe they don’t need, for example, mental healthcare or addiction treatment. The bill was reportedly pulled after dozens of outraged phone calls and emails to the state legislature.
Before the amendment was pulled, sponsor Steve Drazkowski claimed that he “received hundreds of compliments from people”, though notably few from “the special interest groups who have really amalgamated around government”.Before the amendment was pulled, sponsor Steve Drazkowski claimed that he “received hundreds of compliments from people”, though notably few from “the special interest groups who have really amalgamated around government”.
“Many of them are not interested in this,” he said.“Many of them are not interested in this,” he said.