“The
AHCA guts protections for those with pre-existing conditions… Its high-risk
pools are a scam that won’t protect sick Americans… Even people with employer
plans could lose coverage…The bill kills Medicaid expansion and cuts traditional
Medicaid by a massive $800 billion…It defunds Planned Parenthood and threatens
abortion protections in many states…More than 24 million Americans could lose
their coverage…It’s really a poorly-disguised tax cut for the rich” (All the Horrific Details of the GOP’s New Obamacare Repeal Bill: A Handy Guide).
A
list of pre-existing conditions:
AIDS/HIV, acid reflux, acne, ADD, addiction, Alzheimer's/dementia, anemia, aneurysm, angioplasty, anorexia, anxiety, arrhythmia, arthritis, asthma, atrial fibrillation, autism, bariatric surgery, basal cell carcinoma, bipolar disorder, blood clot, breast cancer, bulimia, bypass surgery, celiac disease, cerebral aneurysm, cerebral embolism, cerebral palsy, cerebral thrombosis, cervical cancer, colon cancer, colon polyps, congestive heart failure, COPD, Crohn's disease, cystic fibrosis, DMD, depression, diabetes, disabilities, Down syndrome, eating disorder, enlarged prostate, epilepsy, glaucoma, gout, heart disease, heart murmur, heartburn, hemophilia, hepatitis C, herpes, high cholesterol, hypertension, hysterectomy, kidney disease, kidney stones, kidney transplant, leukemia, lung cancer, lupus, lymphoma, mental health issues, migraines, MS, muscular dystrophy, narcolepsy, nasal polyps, obesity, OCD, organ transplant, osteoporosis, pacemaker, panic disorder, paralysis, paraplegia, Parkinson's disease, pregnancy, restless leg syndrome, schizophrenia, seasonal affective disorder, seizures, sickle cell disease, skin cancer, sleep apnea, sleep disorders, stent, stroke, thyroid issues, tooth disease, tuberculosis, ulcers.
"...It's a tax break for the rich... [T]he bill provides $600 billion in tax breaks to insurance companies and the most wealthy Americans who were taxed under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). In a press statement on Thursday, Frank Clemente, executive director of Americans for Tax Fairness, outlined 'the math behind the Republican healthcare repeal plan: Subtract healthcare from 24 million people. Add $600 billion in tax giveaways, mostly for the wealthy and corporations. Multiply out-of-pocket costs for senior citizens by 5. Divide all Americans. This equation didn't work out the last time they tried it, and it still doesn't work today. That's why Republicans in Congress want to exempt themselves and their staffs from their own lousy plan while refusing to wait for the Congressional Budget Office to estimate its costs.' Lawmakers are exempt. Despite all of their rhetoric about the supposed failings of Obamacare, House Republicans inserted a provision on Tuesday that 'exempts members of Congress and their staff from their latest healthcare plan,' Vox reported, meaning they will be able to opt out of the new amendment that charges more for people with pre-existing conditions..." (http://www.latimes.com/business/hiltzik/la-fi-hiltzik-obamacare-repeal-20170504-story.html).
ReplyDelete"...Even those covered by employer healthcare are under threat. On Thursday, the Wall Street Journal reported on a newly-inserted loophole that threatens to eliminate the cap on out-of-pocket costs for even those covered by healthcare through their work. This could impact as much as half the U.S. population.
ReplyDelete"'Under the House bill,' WSJ reported, 'large employers could choose the benefit requirements from any state—including those that are allowed to lower their benchmarks under a waiver, health analysts said. By choosing a waiver state, employers looking to lower their costs could impose lifetime limits and eliminate the out-of-pocket cost cap from their plans under the GOP legislation.'
"Trump lied, premiums for people with pre-existing conditions will skyrocket. A number of so-called moderate Republicans dropped their opposition to the bill late Wednesday after language was inserted to allocate funding to help cover the costs for those with pre-existing conditions who, under Trumpcare, would be placed into 'high risk pools.' However, a new analysis released on Thursday found that this aid would only cover 110,000 Americans, which amounts just five percent of the 2.2 million current enrollees in the individual insurance market estimated to have some type of pre-existing chronic condition.
"Claims by Trump and House leadership that the plan protects people with pre-existing conditions are veritably false, according to observers, who note that while a cancer patient may be able to sign up for an insurance plan, their treatment might not be covered. The far-right Freedom Caucus got behind the plan last month after an amendment was inserted that allowed states to opt-out of a rule that prohibited insurers from charging higher premiums to people with pre-existing conditions.
"'The return of discrimination based on medical history could increase insurance costs by tens of thousands of dollars,' states an analysis by the Campaign for American Progress (CAP), 'rendering it unaffordable for millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions.'
"Being a woman 'is a liability.' Not only does Trumpcare consider things such as domestic violence, sexual assault, having had C-section, and postpartum depression to be pre-existing conditions, lawmakers have also axed the requirement that insurance companies cover maternity care. According to the aforementioned CAP analysis, a pregnancy with no or minor complications would result in a premium hike of $17,060, which amounts to a 425 percent increase.
"'Read closely,' wrote Slate's Christina Cauterucci on Thursday, Trumpcare 'reveals the basic theory that underlies the GOP's entire legislative wish list on healthcare: the idea that being a woman is a chronic medical condition and a liability.'
"It takes an axe to Medicaid, decimating special education funding. 'Because Trumpcare 2.0 would cut Medicaid by a quarter of its current budget ($880 billion) over the next decade and create a 'per-capita' funding cap on groups like children, school districts are saying that the cuts would force them to limit how much they can pay healthcare providers who assist students who require special education assistance,' Salon's Matthew Rosza reported Thursday..." (http://www.latimes.com/business/hiltzik/la-fi-hiltzik-obamacare-repeal-20170504-story.html).
The 217 Republicans who voted for the egregious healthcare bill:
ReplyDeleteRalph Abraham, La.
Robert B. Aderholt, Ala.
Rick Allen, Ga.
Justin Amash, Mich.
Mark Amodei, Nev.
Jodey Arrington, Tex.
Brian Babin, Tex.
Don Bacon, Neb.
Jim Banks, Ind.
Lou Barletta, Pa.
Garland "Andy" Barr, Ky.
Joe Barton, Tex.
Jack Bergman, Mich.
Gus M. Bilirakis, Fla.
Mike Bishop, Mich.
Rob Bishop, Utah
Diane Black, Tenn.
Marsha Blackburn, Tenn.
Rod Blum, Iowa
Mike Bost, Ill.
Kevin Brady, Tex.
Dave Brat, Va.
Jim Bridenstine, Okla.
Mo Brooks, Ala.
Susan Brooks, Ind.
Vern Buchanan, Fla.
Ken Buck, Colo.
Larry Bucshon, Ind.
Ted Budd, N.C.
Michael C. Burgess, Tex.
Bradley Byrne, Ala.
Ken Calvert, Calif.
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter, Ga.
John Carter, Tex.
Steve Chabot, Ohio
Jason Chaffetz, Utah
Liz Cheney, Wyo.
Tom Cole, Okla.
Chris Collins, N.Y.
Douglas A. Collins, Ga.
James Comer, Ky.
K. Michael Conaway, Tex.
Paul Cook, Calif.
Kevin Cramer, N.D.
Eric A. "Rick" Crawford, Ark.
John Abney Culberson, Tex.
Carlos Curbelo, Fla.
Warren Davidson, Ohio
Rodney Davis, Ill.
Jeff Denham, Calif.
Ron DeSantis, Fla.
Scott DesJarlais, Tenn.
Mario Diaz-Balart, Fla.
Sean P. Duffy, Wis.
Jeff Duncan, S.C.
John J. Duncan Jr., Tenn.
Neal Dunn, Fla.
Tom Emmer, Minn.
Blake Farenthold, Tex.
John Faso, N.Y.
Drew Ferguson, Ga.
Charles J. "Chuck" Fleischmann, Tenn.
Bill Flores, Tex.
Jeff Fortenberry, Neb.
Virginia Foxx, N.C.
Trent Franks, Ariz.
Rodney Frelinghuysen, N.J.
Matt Gaetz, Fla.
Mike Gallagher, Wis.
Thomas Garrett, Va.
Bob Gibbs, Ohio
Louie Gohmert, Tex.
Bob Goodlatte, Va.
Paul A. Gosar, Ariz.
Trey Gowdy, S.C.
Kay Granger, Tex.
Garret Graves, La.
Sam Graves, Mo.
Tom Graves, Ga.
H. Morgan Griffith, Va.
Glenn Grothman, Wis.
Brett Guthrie, Ky.
Gregg Harper, Miss.
Andy Harris, Md.
Vicky Hartzler, Mo.
Jeb Hensarling, Tex.
Jody Hice, Ga.
Clay Higgins, La.
French Hill, Ark.
George Holding, N.C.
Trey Hollingsworth, Ind.
Richard Hudson, N.C.
Bill Huizenga, Mich.
Randy Hultgren, Ill.
Duncan D. Hunter, Calif.
Darrell Issa, Calif.
Evan Jenkins, W.Va.
Lynn Jenkins, Kan.
Bill Johnson, Ohio
Mike Johnson, La.
Sam Johnson, Tex.
Jim Jordan, Ohio
Mike Kelly, Pa.
Trent Kelly, Miss.
Peter T. King, N.Y.
Steve King, Iowa
Adam Kinzinger, Ill.
Steve Knight, Calif.
David Kustoff, Tenn.
Raúl R. Labrador, Idaho
Darin LaHood, Ill.
Doug LaMalfa, Calif.
Doug Lamborn, Colo.
Robert E. Latta, Ohio
Jason Lewis, Minn.
Billy Long, Mo.
Barry Loudermilk, Ga.
Mia Love, Utah
Frank D. Lucas, Okla.
Blaine Luetkemeyer, Mo.
The 217 Republicans who voted for the egregious healthcare bill (continued):
ReplyDeleteTom MacArthur, N.J.
Kenny Marchant, Tex.
Tom Marino, Pa.
Roger Marshall, Kan.
Brian Mast, Fla.
Kevin McCarthy, Calif.
Michael McCaul, Tex.
Tom McClintock, Calif.
Patrick T. McHenry, N.C.
David B. McKinley, W.Va.
Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Wash.
Martha McSally, Ariz.
Mark Meadows, N.C.
Luke Messer, Ind.
Paul Mitchell, Mich.
John Moolenaar, Mich.
Alex Mooney, W.Va.
Markwayne Mullin, Okla.
Tim Murphy, Pa.
Kristi L. Noem, S.D.
Devin Nunes, Calif.
Pete Olson, Tex.
Steven M. Palazzo, Miss.
Gary Palmer, Ala.
Erik Paulsen, Minn.
Stevan Pearce, N.M.
Scott Perry, Pa.
Robert Pittenger, N.C.
Ted Poe, Tex.
Bruce Poliquin, Maine
Mike Pompeo, Kan.
Bill Posey, Fla.
John Ratcliffe, Tex.
Tom Reed, N.Y.
James B. Renacci, Ohio
Tom Rice, S.C.
Martha Roby, Ala.
Phil Roe, Tenn.
Harold Rogers, Ky.
Mike D. Rogers, Ala.
Dana Rohrabacher, Calif.
Todd Rokita, Ind.
Francis Rooney, Fla.
Thomas J. Rooney, Fla.
Peter J. Roskam, Ill.
Dennis A. Ross, Fla.
Keith Rothfus, Pa.
David Rouzer, N.C.
Edward R. Royce, Calif.
Steve Russell, Okla.
John Rutherford, Fla.
Paul D. Ryan, Wis.
Mark Sanford, S.C.
Steve Scalise, La.
David Schweikert, Ariz.
Austin Scott, Ga.
F. James Jr. Sensenbrenner, Wis.
Pete Sessions, Tex.
John Shimkus, Ill.
Bill Shuster, Pa.
Mike Simpson, Idaho
Adrian Smith, Neb.
Jason T. Smith, Mo.
Lamar Smith, Tex.
Lloyd Smucker, Pa.
Elise Stefanik, N.Y.
Chris Stewart, Utah
Steve Stivers, Ohio
Scott W. Taylor, Va.
Claudia Tenney, N.Y.
Glenn Thompson, Pa.
Mac Thornberry, Tex.
Patrick J. Tiberi, Ohio
Scott R. Tipton, Colo.
Dave Trott, Mich.
Fred Upton, Mich.
David Valadao, Calif.
Ann Wagner, Mo.
Tim Walberg, Mich.
Greg Walden, Ore.
Mark Walker, N.C.
Jackie Walorski, Ind.
Mimi Walters, Calif.
Randy Weber, Tex.
Daniel Webster, Fla.
Brad Wenstrup, Ohio
Bruce Westerman, Ark.
Roger Williams, Tex.
Joe Wilson, S.C.
Rob Wittman, Va.
Steve Womack, Ark.
Rob Woodall, Ga.
Kevin Yoder, Kan.
Ted Yoho, Fla.
David Young, Iowa
Don Young, Alaska
Lee Zeldin, N.Y.
And I'm confident that the majority of their constituents were just dying for them to vote for this bill. (Sarcasm, of course.)
ReplyDeleteAnyway, now they'll be just dying.
"...[T]he repeated efforts by the Republican Party to repeal the minimal protections offered by the Affordable Care Act serve to remind us that conservatism is a type of socially motivated cognition that minimizes any sense of human obligation and connection to other people, outside a narrowly defined kin or other peer group.
ReplyDelete"Today’s version of American conservatism is also a celebration of selfishness — and a belief that true freedom and liberty are based on a perverse individualism with little sense of common decency or linked fate with someone’s fellow citizens.
"Today’s American conservatism also embraces an extreme form of neo-liberalism whereby human worth and dignity are determined by profit-and-loss statements and capitalism and democracy are confused with one another. Ultimately, American conservatism is a value system that is antisocial, anti-democratic and anti-freedom.
"There is a moral obligation to speak plainly and directly in a time of crisis. To wit: The Republican Party’s so-called health care reform is designed to kill, injure and bankrupt the poor, the sick and the weak, in order to line the pockets of the 1 percent. As Republicans have repeatedly shown, the supposed 'party of life' is actually the 'party of death.'
"It is long overdue that the American people begin to use this more accurate language to describe the Republican Party, Donald Trump and the right-wing voters who support them. The debate about 'repealing and replacing' the Affordable Care Act is not about normal political disagreement or budgetary priorities. It is about who should live and who should die and whether that should reflect how much money you have in your bank account" (The “pro-life” party has become the party of death: New research on why Republicans hate poor and sick people, Salon, May 4th).