Insurers Come Out Swinging Against New Health Bill

[spanone]

WASHINGTON — The health insurance industry, after cautiously watching Republican health care efforts for months, came out forcefully on Wednesday against the Senate’s latest bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act, suggesting that its state-by-state block grants could create health care chaos in the short term and a Balkanized, uncertain insurance market.

In the face of the industry opposition, Senate Republican leaders nevertheless said they would push for a showdown vote next week on the legislation, drafted by Senators Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana.

That puts Republican senators in a squeeze, especially those whose states would lose money under a complicated formula in the bill. Generally, it would shift federal funds away from states that have been successful in expanding coverage to states where Republican leaders refused to expand Medicaid or encourage enrollment.

Republican senators from Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Ohio and West Virginia will all have to decide whether to heed the pleas of consumers who like the current health law — or yield to the will of Republican leaders, donors and voters who demand an end to the Affordable Care Act.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/20/us/politics/insurers-oppose-obamacare-repeal.html?mcubz=0

[no_hypocrisy]

1. Selfish insurers don't appreciate that the Republicans and Trump need a *win*.

[ejbr]

3. +1 n/t

[COLGATE4]

2. When push comes to shove,

Democrats fall in love. Republicans fall in line. Look for all these 'conscientious' Repubs to fall in line and 'reluctantly' vote for this abortion of a bill.

[Demsrule86]

4. I am cautiously optimistic, it won't pass.

[COLGATE4]

15. I wish I could share in your optimism but there are several

factors that lead me to believe it will. First, McConnell won't put it up for a vote unless he knows he has the number. He's already announced that it will be voted on next week. Secondly, the Repub's "No" column is really really thin. Susan Collins, who I believe is at best a 'maybe'. Rand Paul, who I wouldn't believe if his tongue came notarized. He'll vote for whoever pays him the best. And Murkowski, who may favor the Governor of Alaska (who says he's opposed to it) but then again may not. They're offering her a lot of $$ for Alaska to convince her to vote Yes. If only one of these three 'last best hopes' votes Yes it's all over. The numbers are hard to argue with.

[Demsrule86]

5. And if Democrats want to stop the GOP, in future elections...they need to fall in line.

[COLGATE4]

14. Absolutely right. The trick is how do we get it to happen?

[SharonClark]

8. Please rethink your use of the word 'abortion' to define something as bad

It reinforces the right's negative connotation of the word abortion.

[Tanuki]

10. +1000

[ehrnst]

11. +1000 (nt)

[alarimer]

6. Well, the ACA was a big giveaway to them, so they don't want to get off the gravy train.

They could, of course, offer full coverage and all of the essential health benefits without being required to by law, but we all know how that would go, since we saw it before the ACA.

[Ligyron]

7. Everybody get on the fucking phone, NOW!

For many, it is a life or death matter.

I'm in the VA system but I know many DUers and even more good Americans are in for a world of hurt if this piece of shit bill passes.

Excuse my language but I'm pissed...

[lark]

9. It's simple, which is more important to their constituents, living or dying.

It's more important to working class and poor to live, the rich are all in favor of letting them die for a few millions extra in their pockets over time.

[ffr]

12. Republican vindictiveness knows no decency.

The ACA is labeled as a democratic victory, but Americans depend on and like the ACA. I and my family do too. My premiums are lower under ACA than they are on the open market. Same plan, less money. I don't want the ACA repealed or replaced just to satisfy someone else's vindictiveness to democrats, specifically Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and president Barack Obama.

[Stuart G]

13. One incredible honest sentence from ..."health insurance industry" says it !!!

WASHINGTON — ............."The health insurance industry, after cautiously watching Republican health care efforts for months, came out forcefully on Wednesday against the Senate’s latest bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act, suggesting that its state-by-state block grants could create health care chaos in the short term and a Balkanized, uncertain insurance market. ".