Schumer: GOP healthcare proposal like giving 'cough medicine' to a cancer patient

[babylonsister]

http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/331747-schumer-new-obamacare-proposal-like-giving-cough-medicine-to-cancer

Schumer: GOP healthcare proposal like giving 'cough medicine' to a cancer patient
By Jordain Carney - 05/03/17 11:52 AM EDT


Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Wednesday ripped a floated change to a House ObamaCare replacement bill that's meant to address concerns about individuals with pre-existing conditions.

"This Republican amendment leaves Americans with pre-existing conditions as vulnerable as they were before under this bill. High-risk pools are the real death panels: they mean waiting forever in line for unaffordable health insurance," he said in a statement.

He added that an amendment being offered by Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) "is like administering cough medicine to someone with stage 4 cancer."

Upton is working on an amendment, which has not been released publicly, to the House GOP's ObamaCare replacement bill that would add $8 billion over five years to help people with pre-existing conditions afford their premiums.

The GOP bill already includes $130 billion over 10 years. But a report from the liberal Center for American Progress found that high-risk pools are underfunded by nearly $200 billion over 10 years under the House replacement proposal.

Schumer warned from the Senate floor earlier Wednesday that the House bill would not be able to survive the Senate.

"The reality is TrumpCare cannot pass the Senate," he said.

Schumer added that if moderate Republicans change pre-existing conditions rules they could violate the Senate's rulebook for using "reconciliation," a process that would allow Senate Republicans to avoid a potential filibuster and pass legislation with only a majority of the chamber.

The Byrd rule governs legislation passed under the special budget rules Republicans are using to pass the healthcare legislation. To pass muster, legislation must be primarily focused on addressing the deficit, which is why only provisions that have a budgetary impact can be included.

[Ilsa]

1. Medicare for anyone with pre-existing conditions! nt

[ProfessorGAC]

2. That Might Be A Wise Strategy, Ilsa

A way to start the ball moving toward single payer would be to make that a provision right along side the state opt out. Of course, every state except a few giants, will opt out and then 75% of the population over 30 gets Medicare. Since the R's would hate it, it could also be used as a poison pill.

[greymattermom]

3. Perfect.

After all, being 65 or older is a preexisting condition.