Repealing Obamacare, it must be an election cycle! Is this just political posturing and we are spinning our wheels?

SSG Michael Hartsfield — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 05:19:38 -0500

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/congress/senate-gop-health-law-repeal-delivers-wins-to-partys-wings/2015/12/02/12179dd0-98d4-11e5-aca6-1ae3be6f06d2_story.html

Here we go again....
The GOP is once again poised to submit legislation to repeal Obamacare, even though they all know it's another exercise in futility. How many tens of MILLIONS of dollars has been wasted trying to repeal something they know the President will veto almost instantly? How many people we be affected due to many in the GOP that attach spending programs to the repeal legislation (drug abuse programs in Ohio, being one of them) and how many people are they willing to leave "out in the cold" because they won't have anything?
To be fair, I know that Obamacare sucks on a lot of levels and many people haven't gotten the coverage they were expecting but what would the GOP replace that coverage with? Isn't a little bit of something better than a whole lot of nothing?

Senate GOP health law repeal delivers wins to party's wings

Senate Republican leaders seem to have carried out a delicate balancing act in their drive to dismantle President Barack Obama’s health care law and close the federal funds spigot to Planned Parenthood.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Dec 2 at 2015 5:22 AM

PO1 John Miller — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 05:22:14 -0500

I disagree. I think it SHOULD be repealed. I have seen many people's health care costs increase because of it.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2015 5:56 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 05:56:39 -0500

'Isn't a little bit of something better than a whole lot of nothing'. I think that would depend on who you are asking. The Affordable Care Act has never panned out to be what was promised to many. So there would be many for and against a bad plan being better then nothing. Especially those who lost the health plans and doctors they had. And now pay more for their plans with less practical coverage. But on the other hand if you had nothing and now have others footing the bill, why wouldn't you like the ACA.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2015 6:12 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 06:12:47 -0500

The simple and sad fact is that what is necessary to fix healthcare won't happen. Deregulation has some benefits, but much of our medical care is guided by the insurance company. I believe that the ACA was a misguided attempt in the right direction. The best solution would be bringing in groups of medical experts from Social Work, Medical Practice, Insurance, etc into small groups to identify the flaws and how to fix them. That will never happen though due to lobbyists. Even the doctors that are likely to be involved are going to be from a specific demographic. Likewise, insurance companies will never give up their powers over the healthcare industry.

Case 1: Patient has bilateral knee replacements, disability sticker due to inability to walk 200 feet. The insurance company FORCES the doctor to do a cheaper treadmill stress test (which we all knew he would fail), because they didn't want to pay for the drug-induced stress test. Result is a $2000+ added cost to the patient.

Case 2: Pharmaceutical "Tier" for medication algorithms are based on best deals at the time. I can list MULTIPLE times that people were changed onto other medications every couple years because of a better deal for the company. This sometimes has adverse affects for the patient.

There are hundreds more. I don't think the ACA was a good solution, and I believe it increased cost and adversely affected people. The reason for this is that I think it was rushed out, rather than having serious scrutiny and consideration of what conditions could play into worsening healthcare costs as a result of the ACA.
v/r,
Jon

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Dec 2 at 2015 6:30 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 06:30:39 -0500

It's weird how the ACA was beloved by Republicans when Romney first presented it years ago...

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Dec 2 at 2015 6:40 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 06:40:38 -0500

I think Mr. Sanders said it best on the floor...

"I think everybody here in the Senate understands this, the bill we are debating today is a complete waste of time. This is just another reason why the American people have so little respect for the Congress.
There are major crises facing our country and the Republican leadership once again is attempting to repeal Obamacare. I kind of lost track about how many times this effort has been made. I think in the House it was over fifty. I don’t know how many it is here in the Senate.
So let me break the news to my Republican colleagues, although I am sure that they already got the news. And that is Obama is not going to sign a bill repealing Obamacare. I think that is not likely to happen, and what we are doing today is just a waste of time.

The last thing we need is a budget reconciliation bill that throws 17 million Americans off of health insurance and denies nearly 3 million women the health care they need by defunding Planned Parenthood."

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Dec 2 at 2015 7:03 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 07:03:38 -0500

It's "bad law." As in badly constructed. Why should we tolerate bad law?

Bad law is not good for the health of the Nation. Yes, it may help "some" People, however, it will most definitely harm "some" People as well.

Response by SGT William Howell made Dec 2 at 2015 7:04 AM

SGT William Howell — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 07:04:14 -0500

SSG Michael Hartsfield So just a couple thoughts. Just because the President is going to veto something does not mean they give up if they believe it is right. The President is not the king. We have a system in place for a reason.

I can think of at least several laws in history where blacks and women were given rights that were very controversial at the time and they did not think they were going to make it though Congress. Should they have given up. Hell no! It was the right thing to do. You, as a voter, expect your elected officials to represent you no matter the outcome. The wacky shit Feinstein comes up with has zero chance of passing, but she is representing her wacky out of touch Southern California voters. That is why she keeps getting elected.

As for tens of millions of dollars, Congress gets paid no matter what they do on the Hill. Now spending millions on a website that went tits up 2 minutes after the heath system came online is a waste of money. Bank rolling with tax money "Green" company startups that went out of business just as soon as the government grants dried up is a waste of 100 of millions of tax dollars.

Now for Obama Care. We as a country are screwed no matter what we do. Heath insurance companies saw a chance to raise our rates and blame it on Obama. If we were to repeal every bit of Obama Care and go back to the way it was before the rates will not go down. We have proven that we are willing to pay for it and the heath insurance companies are not going to lower the rates no matter what. The only way we are going to fix it is to have HEATH INSURANCE REFORM. We are going to have to hold the insurance companies responsible for the huge amount of profits they are gouging us for like we do with the airlines or oil companies. The only problem with that is the heath insurance companies now have almost limitless amounts of money to lobby with thanks to Obama Care. So again I say we are screwed no matter what.

Response by PO2 Mark Saffell made Dec 2 at 2015 7:04 AM

PO2 Mark Saffell — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 07:04:26 -0500

Well I believe it needs repealed but at this time in history with this President I do believe its a waste of time. I say let it alone for a few more years. Each year that passes shows this wasn't such a good idea and pretty soon the American people will insist it be repealed or they will boot the person out of office.

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Dec 2 at 2015 7:40 AM

Col Joseph Lenertz — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 07:40:57 -0500

To me personally, the only "little bit of something" Obamacare represents is a little bit more tax burden. It harms me, my family, and every other family I know. Until Congress has the votes to override a veto on this issue, or we have a president who will not veto it, I agree it is a waste of time to vote on repealing it. I have seen no evidence the cost of ACA repeal attempts has run into "10s of millions"...do you have a source?

Response by LTC John Shaw made Dec 2 at 2015 7:45 AM

LTC John Shaw — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 07:45:46 -0500

I understand the intent and can see the rational, unfortunately Obamacare ACA has wasted Billions of dollars, this act needs to be repealed. It is government at the worst.

I am disappointed that no real innovations either in policy or actual savings to help people have been developed by either party.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2015 7:46 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 07:46:29 -0500

just for show, if they really wanted to take heat to repeal it ... they would had STOP everything until it repealed.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Dec 2 at 2015 7:49 AM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 07:49:36 -0500

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/261617-unitedhealth-ceo-regrets-entering-obamacare-marketplace.

TheHill

The Hill is a top US political website, read by the White House and more lawmakers than any other site -- vital for policy, politics and election campaigns.

Response by CW4 Guy Butler made Dec 2 at 2015 8:23 AM

CW4 Guy Butler — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 08:23:24 -0500

Let's give Republicans a break. This is the closest they've come to a repeal in almost 6 years.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Dec 2 at 2015 10:51 AM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 10:51:38 -0500

It was a huge irony that when Romney was running for President, he vowed to repeal the ACA as soon as he was elected; even though it was based on Romenycare in the first place...

The fact is that ensuring that all Americans have healthcare is a fiscally sound, as well as morally sound action. The reason that the ACA is so CONvoluted is because of CONgress... if CONgress had been visionary, we'd have single payer healthcare, as most of the civilized world does. But because CONgress is owned by BIG (fill in the blanks) lobbies, they could never do anything that would "upset the apple cart..."

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Dec 2 at 2015 10:57 AM

SFC Everett Oliver — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 10:57:14 -0500

Just admit it that the ACA is a bad law. it was written behind closed doors and was changed every time a Democrat said they wouldn't vote for it. Every Democrat got what they wanted and Republicans were basically left out....
Granted there are some good points in the ACA. Things that I wouldn't want to go away. But over all the ACA must be repealed, but at the same time not until we have something better written and with better coverage ready to take it's place.... And no; single payer is not better......

Response by SSG Todd Halverson made Dec 2 at 2015 11:02 AM

SSG Todd Halverson — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 11:02:07 -0500

Best thing to so is wait until the idiot leaves office and repeal it under the new POTUS. We all know Obama will veto any attempts to repeal the law.
This is the worse thing to happen to health care in a long time. Many have seen insurance premiums increase, quality of care decrease and many health care providers are starting to opt out of the program.

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Dec 2 at 2015 12:11 PM

SGT Jeremiah B. — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 12:11:38 -0500

The law needs some serious work, but I've read multiple analysis that pretty much state the only reason the repeal thing is happening is because it has no chance of passing. A full and sudden repeal would be disastrous as states, companies and investors have sunk billions into compliance and providers.

It's all dog and pony show because the GOP has absolutely nothing of substance to replace it with and a simple repeal would do more harm than good.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2015 3:10 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 15:10:35 -0500

It is most assuredly political posturing.
Important bits: "The health law won’t actually be repealed, of course, since President Obama will veto such a measure. But that alone — forcing Obama to veto a repeal bill — is deemed a worthy goal in and of itself."

"However, there’s a catch. Some Senate Republicans are apparently willing to vote for this measure precisely because Obama will veto it, sparing them the political fallout they might suffer if they actually did succeed in repealing the health law."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2015/12/01/morning-plum-the-gop-congress-will-finally-repeal-obamacare-but-theres-a-catch/

Morning Plum: The GOP Congress will finally repeal Obamacare! But there’s a catch.

Republicans can vote to repeal Obamacare, secure in the knowledge that Obamacare won't be repealed.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Dec 2 at 2015 6:01 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 18:01:58 -0500

As much as I detest Obamacare, this is just a ploy to try to convince the conservatives they will follow up on the same promises used in the past effectively. First the program is imploding under its own weight and something will have to be done to keep the insurers on board (read bail out). The increases in cost over the past decade has been 130% despite all the rhetoric about saving $1500 per family. That is applicable for those that actually pay for it. Even if they get sufficient votes when the new Republican takes office and the Congressional Majority increases, a replacement plan that brings this ship of state to an upright position, Obamacare will never be repealed or replaced. Given the cost, the number of people left behind, and the impact on employment for those over 30 hours, not to mention the fact that the CBO says once fully implemented 30 million people will not have insurance, this is bad legislation. In summary, this will go no where, but will pizz off the freeloaders and they may come out to vote for a Democrat for their Obamaphones and Obamacare.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2015 3:18 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 03:18:02 -0500

The next president will take care of it, but at least they tried.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2015 3:24 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 15:24:19 -0500

It is a colossal failure, this presieent is mr EO

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2015 1:57 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 01:57:53 -0500

The cost to repeal it is certainly infinitesimally smaller than the trillions of debt it adds to a debt clock that is already spinning like a wheel.

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Dec 24 at 2015 4:41 PM

SFC Pete Kain — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 16:41:34 -0500

Kind of like putting toothpaste back in tube, if it happens it will be messy. I think we need to try though, obamacare is a mess.

Response by MSgt Jonathan Stump made Jun 8 at 2016 3:47 PM

MSgt Jonathan Stump — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 15:47:11 -0400

Because it is a shitty law that what it did was raise costs?

Hmm, wonder why health care is so expensive as it is.....maybe beacause when the government enters into ANY marketplace it cause price distortion? When we pass laws that are irrelevant to make things illegal that were not happening before (HIPPA) and then when those laws do not go as far as we had hoped into making a bigger pile of steaming crap we double down on them (HIPPA 2.0) and think that we are doing good. We also institute Medicaid which allows anyone to go cart blanche and ape shit crazy and basically give them access to health care that me and you could not get because it would cost us real money to go.

Let the cannons fire! And no, the government does not protect you from bad actors.