115th United States Congress

[Aerin]

Putting this here since it arguably has more to do with Congress than Trump. Although, there is this gem.

Trump: 'Nobody knew health care could be so complicated'

President Donald Trump noted with some exasperation Monday the complexity of the nation's health laws, which he's vowed to reform as part of a bid to scrap Obamacare.

"We have come up with a solution that's really, really I think very good," Trump said at a meeting of the nation's governors at the White House.

"Now, I have to tell you, it's an unbelievably complex subject," he added. "Nobody knew health care could be so complicated."

[archibaldcrane]

Tyven, I'm going to need a copy of this on my desk by the morning.

http://www.vox.com/policy-and-politi...secret-meeting

[tyven]

I'll pass it along if I get it early. Interesting that they say it will go to energy and commerce members. I got an email from a chief of staff at 6:22 that Ways and Means gets markup next week. We'll see

[archibaldcrane]

I have to admit I do feel a little bit bad about getting psyched for some age-based subsidies to buy health insurance with knowing that in total it's going to be a very bad thing for the vast majority.

[archibaldcrane]

Broven, do you think a repeal and replace plan will get out of the House this year at all or will they give up and punt? If so, does it have any chance of getting through the Senate?

[tyven]

They have to pass something because their heads are on the chopping block. President Trump held a working lunch today with every R working on it. Everyone is going to have to make sacrifices to get it done, they have not choice because it loses reconciliation protection once they pass fy18 budget. House and senate Rs have promised unity.

That being said there is no sign of unity. There is more opposition than ever thanks to the leaked plan.

So maybe they will run out of time? Who knows. Gorsuch hearings begin later this month. Debt ceiling around the corner. And government funding runs out in April.

[Fiye]

Bannon wants the government to fall apart.

[archibaldcrane]

They have to pass something because their heads are on the chopping block.

But are they content to pass something out of the House, have it die in the Senate, throw up their hands and say "Dems are obstructing" and move on to budget and tax reform? Or will they switch back to "repeal and delay" to get their reconciliation in and put it on the Dems to eat their shit sandwich or have people die?

They probably don't even have the votes for repeal and delay within the Republican caucus, eh?

The whole thing is just delightful.

[tyven]

They can't use an obstruction argument because Dems literally cannot obstruct. All they need is majority in each chamber thx to reconciliation protection. They have to compromise and find something that works for the american people because if healthcare goes catastrophic they are cooked in 2018.

[Fiye]

You underestimate the power of the blame game and alternative facts.

All I see on my facebook feed from conservative friends is bitching about liberal bitching.

[archibaldcrane]

They can't use an obstruction argument because Dems literally cannot obstruct. All they need is majority in each chamber thx to reconciliation protection. They have to compromise and find something that works for the american people because if healthcare goes catastrophic they are cooked in 2018.

Rs can effectively repeal without Ds, but they can't replace it without 60 votes.

[tyven]

Rs can effectively repeal without Ds, but they can't replace it without 60 votes.

Some clarity: they can only repeal PARTS of ACA via reconciliation. Every adjustment that can be done via reconciliation will be done and a large chunk of that is what's considered the replacement. The leaked plan was a reconciliation bill.

Shit they will even use it to move legislation that has nothing to do with health. Everything that gets done this year whether tax related or not is going to move as part of reconciliation as long as it doesn't violate the Byrd rules.

[archibaldcrane]

They wouldn't be able to, say, change regulations regarding what insurance plans have to require via reconciliation though, right?

[tyven]

They wouldn't be able to, say, change regulations regarding what insurance plans have to require via reconciliation though, right?

I'm not sure. I'll ask one of my health lobbyists tomorrow what kind of limitations we might see.

[archibaldcrane]

I know that some of the proposed plans do alter what insurance would qualify for tax credits (insurance estimated to cover only 50% of health costs - down from the 60% required in Bronze plans now, or short-term insurance that lasts, say, 364 days and covers very little, like what McDonalds used to offer employees) - but that doesn't sound like a change that would be able to get past Byrd rules since it doesn't directly affect the budget.

I suppose it could be argued that allowing purchasers of these skimpy plans to receive tax credits would increase outlays given that more people would buy them if they were available.

[archibaldcrane]

Broven, I said I wanted a copy of the bill, you weren't supposed to swipe the original.

http://www.vox.com/2017/3/2/14792196...re-bill-search

[tyven]

Broven, I said I wanted a copy of the bill, you weren't supposed to swipe the original.

http://www.vox.com/2017/3/2/14792196...re-bill-search

LOL that would be so lit

[6souls]

This is a real attack ad.

[tyven]

This is a real attack ad.

oh shit this is Rembert's boy. Also that Uptown Girl parody was p funny

[6souls]

GOP's Replacement for the ACA would cost MN $5B by 2021, $6B by 2029
http://www.twincities.com/2017/03/02...sota-billions/