Trump isn't out of moves
You think things in Washington were ugly before? Just watch.
If a new HealthCare Bill is not approved quickly, BAILOUTS for Insurance Companies and BAILOUTS for Members of Congress will end very soon!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 29, 2017
There are two key ways the President of the U.S. could undermine the law: asking his agencies not to enforce the individual mandate created under Obamacare; and stopping funds for subsidies that help insurers offset health-care costs for low-income Americans. Both moves could further disrupt the Affordable Care Act’s individual markets and eventually lead to higher premiums -- and angry constituents.
...
Where does this leave Trump’s implosion threat? One of the first steps the president could take would be to stop the monthly payments to insurers known as cost-sharing-reduction subsidies. The administration last made a payment about a week ago for the previous 30 days, but hasn’t made a long-term commitment. Trump has called the subsidies a “bailout” for insurance companies in the past.
“We are still considering our options,” Ninio Fetalvo, a spokesman for Trump, said in an e-mail.
America’s Health Insurance Plans, a lobby group for the industry, said premiums would rise by about 20 percent if the payments aren’t made.
Premiums were expected to rise by 10%-30% anyway. What this is suggesting is 20% increase in addition. Plus more than 2 in 5 insurers would abandon Obamacare without CSRs.
Trump could effectively gut Obamacare out of spite.
Would he do that? Would he hurt tens of millions of Americans just so that he could "win"?
It's with no little irony that Sam Brownback left Kansas, the state he decimated with a tax plan that destroyed the economy, to join the Trump Administration this week.
Because of the failure on Obamacare repeal, Republicans are set for a massive tax cut plan.
“The stakes really have been doubled now for tax reform,” said Steve Moore, who was a top economic adviser to Trump during the campaign. “They absolutely can’t lose. They can’t accept failure on that, or it will be a completely wasted first year of the presidency.”
Amazingly, for the upper-middle class, nearly 20% of households, taxes would actually rise under Trump's plan in order to pay for tax cuts for the 1%. Even Fox News admits it.
While tax cuts are near and dear to Republicans, it's nowhere near a slam dunk.
Comments
Nope. I'm not buying this.
The Man Child and the Rethugs have proven they can't do sh*t.
Incapable of governing.
So he's gonna screw the Insurance Companies? Where all those rich people live. Really?
Don't think so.
He thinks he's Maduro?
I think you might be over thinking this.
Prof: Nancy! I’m going to Greece!
Nancy: And swim the English Channel?
Prof: No. No. To ancient Greece where burning Sapho stood beside the wine dark sea. Wa de do da! Nancy, I’ve invented a time machine!
Firesign Theater
Stop the War!
The insurance companies won't be screwed
They will either pill out of the exchanges, or pass along the costs.
One thing Repubs have proven they can do - oppose things.
@gjohnsit
That, and drain and dispossess everyone else so that those having the most can have more at their expense. Total expertise in those areas...
Psychopathy is not a political position, whether labeled 'conservatism', 'centrism' or 'left'.
A tin labeled 'coffee' may be a can of worms or pathology identified by a lack of empathy/willingness to harm others to achieve personal desires.
Goody, so Dipshit Dumpsterfire Trump....
is just gonna keep up with the grandstanding bullshit. More kabuki theater.
Modern education is little more than toeing the line for the capitalist pigs.
Guerrilla Liberalism won't liberate the US or the world from the iron fist of capital.
I can see them leaving in the mandate and
pulling the subsidies. If he can do this without Congress, he will. He's a ...I can't think of a name vile enough to suit him.
"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon
I can.
He's a Clinton!
I've seen lots of changes. What doesn't change is people. Same old hairless apes.
Hillary in a boy suit!
Hillary in a boy suit!
"US govt/military = bad. Russian govt/military = bad. Any politician wanting power = bad. Anyone wielding power = bad." --Shahryar
"All power corrupts absolutely!" -- thanatokephaloides
@The Voice In the Wilderness
Nasty, but so very, very true...
Psychopathy is not a political position, whether labeled 'conservatism', 'centrism' or 'left'.
A tin labeled 'coffee' may be a can of worms or pathology identified by a lack of empathy/willingness to harm others to achieve personal desires.
I apologize for using foul language!
I've seen lots of changes. What doesn't change is people. Same old hairless apes.
@The Voice In the Wilderness
No, please don't apologize for using the 'C' word. You've got to call it out as it is for what it is, no matter how disgusting it may be.
Psychopathy is not a political position, whether labeled 'conservatism', 'centrism' or 'left'.
A tin labeled 'coffee' may be a can of worms or pathology identified by a lack of empathy/willingness to harm others to achieve personal desires.
Top Comment!
You win the internet today.
Scientists are concerned that conspiracy theories may die out if they keep coming true at the current alarming rate.
Pelosi offers to help
link
@gjohnsit
'... the regular order for the good of the American people ...'
Worse than the comfy chair, for the good of your tortured souls...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nr5nFfWIqhQ
Psychopathy is not a political position, whether labeled 'conservatism', 'centrism' or 'left'.
A tin labeled 'coffee' may be a can of worms or pathology identified by a lack of empathy/willingness to harm others to achieve personal desires.
My money is on
leaving in the mandate and increasing the subsidies.
On to Biden since 1973
Those poor insurance companies with their 30% markup
can't make a big enough profit and need WELFARE from the GOVERNMENT?! Where are their bootstraps?
The real SparkyGump has passed. It was an honor being your human.
@SparkyGump
Do you really think the insurance companies can afford boot-straps with a mere 30% mark-up? Seriously??? That's why they have to take yours!
Psychopathy is not a political position, whether labeled 'conservatism', 'centrism' or 'left'.
A tin labeled 'coffee' may be a can of worms or pathology identified by a lack of empathy/willingness to harm others to achieve personal desires.
I'm betting that Schumer and Pelosi will work with the
republicans on the tax reform legislation. This has been the democrat's motto for some time.
It would be nice if I'm wrong on this, but look at how many democrats voted for increased funding for the military budget.
The only difference between the two parties is on social issues and other issues that don't hurt their master's pockets.
Scientists are concerned that conspiracy theories may die out if they keep coming true at the current alarming rate.
From the tax article
Everyone knows that the corporations don't pay anywhere near the 35% tax rate. Many of them don't pay any at all because they can buy a corporation off shore to get around paying taxes. And they receive tax breaks anyway.
Oh goody, the Koch brothers get to give their opinion for where the tax breaks should be given.
I don't recall that the brothers were elected to make decisions on how congress should allocate the money. They are responsible for what every republican governor is doing.
Scientists are concerned that conspiracy theories may die out if they keep coming true at the current alarming rate.
That's the benefit in being an oligarch
"Obama promised transparency, but Assange is the one who brought it."
I don't see anyone here mentioning
that Trump said that he would discontinue the payments for Congressional healthcare.
I think it would be great if he could do that.
I think it's unfortunate that the repubs failed to repeal Obamacare. The insurance companies are a mafia.
dfarrah
Economic Warfare
The beginning of the end?
Got to wonder if they ever heard of Marie Antoinette?
Fighting for democratic principles,... well, since forever