House Energy and Commerce Committee Releases Bill to Repeal, Replace Obamacare

“Unbelievably, after nearly eight years, House Republicans still refuse to say how much their plan would cost and how many people it would force off their coverage”.

As lawmakers await the expected release Monday night of a bill to repeal and replace Obamacare, four Senate Republicans warn they will fight to keep Medicaid patients from losing care.

On Monday, House Republicans released Obamacare replacement legislation, entitled the American Health Care Act, online.

One of the problems is that the far-right wing of the party is intent on dismantling much of what former President Barack Obama enacted, especially the Affordable Care Act. The Supreme Court added a level of uncertainty to this implementation by allowing states to decide whether or not they want to opt into that program, but 31 states have accepted Medicaid expansion to date, granting government-covered insurance to about 11 million additional people. Numerous most right-leaning Republicans oppose the bill’s refundable tax credits to help people afford insurance. “Trumpcare doesn’t replace the Affordable Care Act, it forces millions of Americans to pay more for less care”, said Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.).

It would also allow children and young adults to remain on their parents’ plans until the age of 26.

The Obamacare law has proven popular in many states, even some controlled by Republicans, and it enabled about 20 million previously uninsured people to get medical insurance, although premium increases angered some.

Katko says he hasn’t seen the replacement plan in writing, but is familiar with the general concept.

But because it fails to provide more assistance to those with lower incomes, the GOP tax credit plan might lead to fewer people getting coverage overall. The new act would also give tax credits as an incentive for Americans to buy health insurance, rather than the current system of mandatory coverage with federal subsidies.

“‘ObamaCare is collapsing”, President Trump said during his address to Congress last week, “and we must act decisively to protect all Americans”.

The other major roadblock for conservatives remains the use of advanceable, refundable tax credits, which many call nothing more than a new entitlement program.

Republicans have promised to repeal the ACA since it passed in 2009, but a full repeal is not now the plan as many moderate Republicans and Democrats would starkly oppose it. It goes next to two House committees for review.