Republican members of the House are reportedly ‘giddy’ in the hours preceding a proposed repeal and replacement of Obamacare.
A test vote already showed the measure passing along party lines. A final vote is expected sometime in the coming hour.
Coverage of the preemptive celebrations said House Speaker Paul Ryan was practically beside himself with excitement. With an 11-day recess beginning after today, congressional Conservatives are doing what they can to energize themselves for the long-promised dismantlement of Barack Obama’s signature Affordable Care Act.
The theme to boxing and American classic ‘Rocky’ was played as Republicans filed into the House basement earlier. CNN says Virginia Rep. Dave Brat said he was “highly” excited about the prospect of healthcare drama being put in the rearview.
Even though nothing has yet been finalized, members of the GOP are so assured of forthcoming victory that some have begun piling praise upon the new president.
“This was Donald J. Trump, the negotiator, getting it done,” said New York Rep. Chris Collins.
Trump, having just passed 100 days in office, failed in spectacular fashion to yank Obamacare after being elected. Disagreements between members of the very conservative Freedom Caucus slammed the replacement bill as ‘Obamacare Lite,’ while more moderate Republicans fretted over constituent concerns and troubling data from the Congressional Budget Office.
The CBO estimated upwards of 20 million Americans might have lost coverage by 2024 if the old Republican healthcare plan passed.
Concessions have since been made which would allow Republican lawmakers closer to center to vote ‘yes’ without compromising their conscience. However, the endeavor is still rushed – the majority-right House didn’t wait for the Congressional Budget Office to evaluate their latest plan before putting it up for debate today.
Democrats, while likely nervous, are spinning the development as one that might ultimately be a pay-off for the Party.
Rep. Elijah Cummings joked that Republicans might be able to topple Obamacare, and Democrats would take back the House in 2018.
Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi seems to agree.
“Forcing a vote without a CBO score shows that Republicans are terrified of the public learning the full consequences of their plan to push Americans with pre-existing conditions into the cold,” she wrote in a statement. “But tomorrow, House Republicans are going to tattoo this moral monstrosity to their foreheads, and the American people will hold them accountable.”
If the bill passes, it’ll reduce Obamacare-induced taxes on the wealthy as well as insurers. It’ll also slash Medicaid funding and allow insurance companies to charge Americans in their 50s and 60s significantly higher premiums. The current system of subsidies will be replaced by tax credits, which provide an advantage only to younger users.
Sources
G.O.P. Eyes $8 Billion Addition to Win a Crucial Vote to the Latest Health Bill
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