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Trump’s Vow to Let Obamacare Fail Trump’s Twists and Turns on the Health Bill
(about 4 hours later)
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “As Senate Gives Up, Trump Makes Vow: Care Act Will Fail” (front page, July 19):Re “As Senate Gives Up, Trump Makes Vow: Care Act Will Fail” (front page, July 19):
President Trump’s pronouncement that the Affordable Care Act should be allowed to fail represents a disturbing abrogation of leadership. Presidents are elected to address problems whether or not the problems are inherited when they take office.President Trump’s pronouncement that the Affordable Care Act should be allowed to fail represents a disturbing abrogation of leadership. Presidents are elected to address problems whether or not the problems are inherited when they take office.
Presidents Roosevelt, Eisenhower and Obama dealt with big challenges involving the Depression, the Korean War and the economy, respectively, and took action that largely reversed policies of their predecessors. They did so for what they felt was the good of the country.Presidents Roosevelt, Eisenhower and Obama dealt with big challenges involving the Depression, the Korean War and the economy, respectively, and took action that largely reversed policies of their predecessors. They did so for what they felt was the good of the country.
What we need from President Trump now is an understanding of what he signed up for when he took this job: leadership without blame. Health care is a place to start.What we need from President Trump now is an understanding of what he signed up for when he took this job: leadership without blame. Health care is a place to start.
ROGER HIRSCHBERG BONDVILLE, VT.ROGER HIRSCHBERG BONDVILLE, VT.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
President Trump’s callous response to the collapse of the Senate Republicans’ disastrous plans to repeal and replace (or at least repeal) the Affordable Care Act reveals the depths of his depraved indifference to actual human beings:President Trump’s callous response to the collapse of the Senate Republicans’ disastrous plans to repeal and replace (or at least repeal) the Affordable Care Act reveals the depths of his depraved indifference to actual human beings:
If he sabotages a system that has flaws but that has helped millions of Americans — for instance, by refusing to subsidize payments to insurance companies — many people will die.If he sabotages a system that has flaws but that has helped millions of Americans — for instance, by refusing to subsidize payments to insurance companies — many people will die.
Apparently, Mr. Trump regards the issue as a win-lose game, and he can’t bear the prospect of losing, even if his winning would jeopardize the lives of millions. Propping up his own fragile ego is far more important to him than those people.Apparently, Mr. Trump regards the issue as a win-lose game, and he can’t bear the prospect of losing, even if his winning would jeopardize the lives of millions. Propping up his own fragile ego is far more important to him than those people.
DAVID MOORE, NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y.DAVID MOORE, NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
President Trump now plans to sabotage the Affordable Care Act while claiming that it will collapse by itself. He says that when it does: “We’re not going to own it. I’m not going to own it.”President Trump now plans to sabotage the Affordable Care Act while claiming that it will collapse by itself. He says that when it does: “We’re not going to own it. I’m not going to own it.”
Our bull-in-a-china-shop president should be mindful of the adage “if you break it, you own it.”Our bull-in-a-china-shop president should be mindful of the adage “if you break it, you own it.”
ALMA SUZIN FLESCH, NEW YORKALMA SUZIN FLESCH, NEW YORK
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “How a Health Care Bill Failed: G.O.P. Divisions and a Fed-Up President” (news article, July 19):Re “How a Health Care Bill Failed: G.O.P. Divisions and a Fed-Up President” (news article, July 19):
Here we go again with health care legislation! Einstein is credited with saying, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.” It is time, President Trump, to shift tactics and form an inclusive team to consider an improved approach to ensuring health care that builds on what we already have.Here we go again with health care legislation! Einstein is credited with saying, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.” It is time, President Trump, to shift tactics and form an inclusive team to consider an improved approach to ensuring health care that builds on what we already have.
Trying to tear down an entrenched system behind closed doors won’t work. A bipartisan commission of senators and representatives, along with health providers, consumers, insurers and other high-stakes groups, and a one-year timeline to forge a new plan is what we need, not the “old boys” concocting a plan in isolation.Trying to tear down an entrenched system behind closed doors won’t work. A bipartisan commission of senators and representatives, along with health providers, consumers, insurers and other high-stakes groups, and a one-year timeline to forge a new plan is what we need, not the “old boys” concocting a plan in isolation.
HARRIET R. FELDMANBELLMORE, N.Y.HARRIET R. FELDMANBELLMORE, N.Y.
The writer is dean and a professor at the College of Health Professions and the Lienhard School of Nursing at Pace University.The writer is dean and a professor at the College of Health Professions and the Lienhard School of Nursing at Pace University.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Charles Schumer, this is your pivotal moment as the leader of the Senate Democrats! Tell Senator Mitch McConnell, the majority leader: “You can’t pass a bill without us, and we can’t legislate without you. And let’s also work together to reduce the cost of prescription drugs,” one of President Trump’s campaign promises.Charles Schumer, this is your pivotal moment as the leader of the Senate Democrats! Tell Senator Mitch McConnell, the majority leader: “You can’t pass a bill without us, and we can’t legislate without you. And let’s also work together to reduce the cost of prescription drugs,” one of President Trump’s campaign promises.
This could be a win-win-win: for legislators, for the president and, most important of all, for the American people!This could be a win-win-win: for legislators, for the president and, most important of all, for the American people!
DOROTHY FISHER, PITTSFORD, N.Y.DOROTHY FISHER, PITTSFORD, N.Y.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “The Way Forward on Health Care” (Op-Ed, July 19):Re “The Way Forward on Health Care” (Op-Ed, July 19):
John Kasich, the Republican governor of Ohio, unfairly charges Democrats with ramming through the Affordable Care Act while ignoring ideas from the other side.John Kasich, the Republican governor of Ohio, unfairly charges Democrats with ramming through the Affordable Care Act while ignoring ideas from the other side.
But the Democrats used a Republican model for the law — Romneycare — and unlike the Republican efforts to repeal and replace the health law, held extensive hearings and solicited input from Republicans before putting the legislation to a vote. Partisanship emerged only when not a single Republican voted for the bill.But the Democrats used a Republican model for the law — Romneycare — and unlike the Republican efforts to repeal and replace the health law, held extensive hearings and solicited input from Republicans before putting the legislation to a vote. Partisanship emerged only when not a single Republican voted for the bill.
That said, Mr. Kasich’s suggestion that Congress should now focus on a bipartisan approach to health care reform strikes at the heart of the issue. For as he writes: “Health care policy is only partisan in the abstract. When you or your loved one is sick and needs care, ideology is irrelevant; getting well is all that matters.”That said, Mr. Kasich’s suggestion that Congress should now focus on a bipartisan approach to health care reform strikes at the heart of the issue. For as he writes: “Health care policy is only partisan in the abstract. When you or your loved one is sick and needs care, ideology is irrelevant; getting well is all that matters.”
Democrats and Republicans agree that the Affordable Care Act needs fixing. Congress must move forward. Our health and that of our children and grandchildren depend on this.Democrats and Republicans agree that the Affordable Care Act needs fixing. Congress must move forward. Our health and that of our children and grandchildren depend on this.
JAY N. FELDMAN PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y.JAY N. FELDMAN PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y.