For months some of us have been warning that as most Progressives and other health care stakeholders were concentrating on Trump’s Russia Scandal, Republicans were silently building the political and social infrastructure to pass Trumpcare, a tax cut bill masquerading as an Obamacare ‘repeal & replace’ law.
Unless we start working overtime, Trumpcare will be a reality
Many thought it was impossible that the Trumpcare bill sent to the Senate was dead on arrival. It is now likely that it just may pass.
Tom Price, Donald Trump’s Health and Human Resources director, sent out a preemptive email recently that said the following.
Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, M.D. issued the following statement regarding compelling data released today by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in two new reports related to Obamacare – the Effectuated Enrollment report for the most recent enrollment period and the Health Insurance Exchanges Trends report. The reports show a decline in the number of Americans who have actually purchased coverage on the exchanges, with cost being a primary concern.
“Not surprisingly, as costs continue to go up, fewer Americans can afford to pay more and get less for healthcare. Many individuals and families across the country are tired of having their healthcare options dictated to them by Washington – particularly when those limited options are unaffordable. That’s why every day we are working on behalf of President Trump on solutions that will show a little humility from the federal government, equip states to serve their unique and diverse populations, and put healthcare decisions in the hands of patients, families, and their doctors.”
Note the intent of the email is twofold. First to point out that an upcoming Obamacare pricing shock is about to hit Americans on the Marketplace. Secondly, it points out that fewer people are signing up. It then spun a political message around the two statements. What was left out is that Republicans have been sabotaging Obamacare even before the election of Donald Trump. They continue the sabotage today. And then, of course, Trump ensured that fewer people would sign up as he became president. And their sabotage is accelerating.
Today, Donald Trump had several Senators over for lunch for some arm twisting that so far has been successful for him in the House. Those who believed that Trumpcare was dead in the Senate should heed Senate Majority Leader McConnell’s statement.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said senators are closer to bringing up a proposal, and other Republicans have predicted for some time that a bill would be ready for a vote before the August recess.
HHS Director Tom Price is going around the country with vice president Mike Pence selling Trumpcare as they disparage Obamacare. And while many were asleep, HHS populated its YouTube channel of ‘propaganda’ with stories and misinformation to sway.
Folks, Trumpcare will be a reality unless the Progressive fronts unite and create a much more massive resistance than what we’ve done thus far. The mainstream media will provide no help. I continue to believe we are being played.