House GOP Passed Trumpcare on Thursday

[Breccia]

North Carolina voted against it in 2013.

Well I'm sure they had their reasons. Perhaps NC already had some of the better public health care than nope, 34th in the nation. Not exactly stellar.

Hmm. Well, maybe it's not a big deal, because they don't have a lot of people in nope, 10th most ranked by poverty rate rather than flat amount. Huh.

But I guess if NC has low unemployment it's not as big of a nope, unemployment slightly higher than the national average. And rising more than the national average.

Well maybe they're a donor state and don't need nope not a donor state. 1.3 : 1 ratio.

Um...uh...state taxes are high, and they know they don't have the money to god dammit 7th highest state income taxes in the nation, combined with average sales tax and real estate taxes.

Since expanded Medicaid is a joint state/federal expenditure, it looks like NC residents, already short on cash, just didn't want to pay more, even at the cost of lack of health care. Man, that sucks.

[NYC17]

I really don't get their thinking on this. Are they that detached from the concerns of ordinary folk that they don't understand the political consequences of passing it? They must surely understand that its going to have massive negative impacts on the ability of an exceedingly large number of people to afford health care, and given that how can they not understand what it will do to them come the 2018 mid-terms? I'm just bewildered they are knowingly going to commit political suicide when there is no rhyme or reason they have to.

They've made the calculation that not repealing it is a greater political cost than people being worse off. They've supported their calculation with the oblivious idea that the pushback at town halls was "paid" opposition and convinced themselves that the real reason for it is they didn't do enough for "free market" healthcare and thats why people are really mad.

One of the most dangerous things someone can do is believe their own bullshit. The GOP has taken this to the groupthink level.

[cubby]

Holy shit that's comedy gold O_o

Didn't heard of it in Europe. GOP can never stop amazing me "ACA is shit, but maybe we still keep it for us you know. Why pay absurd premium of trumpcare ?"

This is perfect and deadly accurate. "KILL THE ACA! - it's terrible! - but we'll keep it for ourselves".

[Zandalarian Paladin]

They've made the calculation that not repealing it is a greater political cost than people being worse off. They've supported their calculation with the oblivious idea that the pushback at town halls was "paid" opposition and convinced themselves that the real reason for it is they didn't do enough for "free market" healthcare and thats why people are really mad.

One of the most dangerous things someone can do is believe their own bullshit. The GOP has taken this to the groupthink level.

Not just the GoP. But in this particular case, it is just the GoP.

[Tinykong]

Well I'm sure they had their reasons. Perhaps NC already had some of the better public health care than nope, 34th in the nation. Not exactly stellar.

Hmm. Well, maybe it's not a big deal, because they don't have a lot of people in nope, 10th most ranked by poverty rate rather than flat amount. Huh.

But I guess if NC has low unemployment it's not as big of a nope, unemployment slightly higher than the national average. And rising more than the national average.

Well maybe they're a donor state and don't need nope not a donor state. 1.3 : 1 ratio.

Um...uh...state taxes are high, and they know they don't have the money to god dammit 7th highest state income taxes in the nation, combined with average sales tax and real estate taxes.

Since expanded Medicaid is a joint state/federal expenditure, it looks like NC residents, already short on cash, just didn't want to pay more, even at the cost of lack of health care. Man, that sucks.

You left out:

"We don't take care of free loaders"

[mvaliz]

They've made the calculation that not repealing it is a greater political cost than people being worse off. They've supported their calculation with the oblivious idea that the pushback at town halls was "paid" opposition and convinced themselves that the real reason for it is they didn't do enough for "free market" healthcare and thats why people are really mad.

One of the most dangerous things someone can do is believe their own bullshit. The GOP has taken this to the groupthink level.

And lets not forget that they will completely ignore the 24+ million who will be thrown off of insurance and will instead tout the one or three people whos' insurance rate premiums drop by 30 dollars and say "it's a win! now anybody can afford it!"

[Mafic]

Little-Noted Provision of GOP Health Bill Could Alter Employer Plans

Many people who obtain health insurance through their employers—about half of the country—could be at risk of losing protections that limit out-of-pocket costs for catastrophic illnesses, due to a little-noticed provision of the House Republican health-care bill to be considered Thursday, health-policy experts say.

The provision, part of a last-minute amendment, lets states obtain waivers from certain Affordable Care Act insurance regulations. Insurers in states that obtain the waivers could be freed from a regulation mandating that they cover 10 particular types of health services, among them maternity care, prescription drugs, mental health treatment and hospitalization.

That could also affect plans offered by large employers, health analysts said.

The ACA prevents employer plans from putting annual limits on the amount of care they will cover, and it bars lifetime limits on the 10 essential benefits. But in 2011, the Obama administration issued guidance stating that employers aren’t bound by the benefits mandated by their state and can pick from another state’s list of required benefits. That guidance was mostly meaningless because the ACA established a national set of essential benefits.
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Under the House bill, large employers could choose the benefit requirements from any state—including those that are allowed to lower their benchmarks under a waiver, health analysts said. By choosing a waiver state, employers looking to lower their costs could impose lifetime limits and eliminate the out-of-pocket cost cap from their plans under the GOP legislation.

The measure would give employers added flexibility to take steps that could lower costs by limiting more-expensive coverage areas. And it would lessen the federal regulation of insurers, a goal of GOP lawmakers who believe the ACA is an example of government overreach.

The impact on employer plans expands the scope of the health bill to affect, potentially, everyone not insured by Medicare or small-business plans, since the bill also includes cuts to Medicaid and changes to the individual market. Employer health plans are the single largest source of health insurance in the country, with about 159 million Americans receiving coverage through their jobs.

“It’s huge,” said Andy Slavitt, former acting administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services under President Barack Obama. “They’re creating a backdoor way to gut employer plans, too.”

Source: https://www.wsj.com/articles/little-...ans-1493890203

Chugga chugga chugga chugga choo-chooooo!

The earth could spontaneously combust....

Bruce Jenner could become a man again....

This thread could prove to be informative....

Yup employer plans are going to go up in flames if this passes.

[NYC17]

Not just the GoP. But in this particular case, it is just the GoP.

Yes, thank you for the reminder of "but other people too." The GOP happens to be the ones doing it, and doing it on a national level that impacts the population in one of the most personal ways possible.

But yea Democrats can be bad too. Does this make you feel better?

- - - Updated - - -

And lets not forget that they will completely ignore the 24+ million who will be thrown off of insurance and will instead tout the one or three people whos' insurance rate premiums drop by 30 dollars and say "it's a win! now anybody can afford it!"

Nah man, they can get magically delicious plans that don't actually cover anything but makes it feel like you do! Like Scorpio!

[Breccia]

You left out:

"We don't take care of free loaders"

Based on what I posted, that'd be a really dumb thing for NC to say.

- - - Updated - - -

This thread could prove to be informative....

I'm sure you'd prefer to use the CBO report. Shame the GOP is intentionally rushing out the bill before the CBO report comes out.

Until then, I guess you'll have to trust that companies that are no longer prevented from gouging customers, will continue to not gouge customers when the restriction is removed, out of the goodness of their hearts.

Good luck with that.

EDIT: Oh by the way, if I go back through your post history, will I find you in favor of any major actions taken based on potential problems? You know, North Korea, the Wall, the Muslim Ban, things like that? Just curious.

[Somewhatconcerned]

Cool...so we went from a plan that could hurt 24 million to a plan that could hurt 159 million.

YUGE numbers. Tremendous.

[Breccia]

Cool...so we went from a plan that could hurt 24 million to a plan that could hurt 159 million.

Well, since TrumpCare removes the employer mandate, some people won't see their rates go up. They'll just flat-out lose coverage from their eimployer.

[Mafic]

Cool...so we went from a plan that could hurt 24 million to a plan that could hurt 159 million.

YUGE numbers. Tremendous.

Yeah..this is DoA in the the senate.

[Breccia]

I gave up on calling any of the four phone numbers my Rep has and just flat-out went to her office. Her staff is, well, kinda busy. I was able to get a few quick words in edgewise. You know my posts, I went in prepared, took me 3 or 4 minutes. During that time, I counted phone calls. Three got answered, fifteen did not, and her voice mail has been full since 8AM.

From what I can tell between that visit and local TV news/newspaper, the impression her voters have on the subject is an overwhelming "no". And I live in a red county that's being directly funded by the bill, just so we're clear.

And she's undecided.

Can you imagine what the "yes" votes are facing?

[Zan15]

Little-Noted Provision of GOP Health Bill Could Alter Employer Plans

Many people who obtain health insurance through their employers—about half of the country—could be at risk of losing protections that limit out-of-pocket costs for catastrophic illnesses, due to a little-noticed provision of the House Republican health-care bill to be considered Thursday, health-policy experts say.

The provision, part of a last-minute amendment, lets states obtain waivers from certain Affordable Care Act insurance regulations. Insurers in states that obtain the waivers could be freed from a regulation mandating that they cover 10 particular types of health services, among them maternity care, prescription drugs, mental health treatment and hospitalization.

That could also affect plans offered by large employers, health analysts said.

The ACA prevents employer plans from putting annual limits on the amount of care they will cover, and it bars lifetime limits on the 10 essential benefits. But in 2011, the Obama administration issued guidance stating that employers aren’t bound by the benefits mandated by their state and can pick from another state’s list of required benefits. That guidance was mostly meaningless because the ACA established a national set of essential benefits.
Newsletter Sign-up

Under the House bill, large employers could choose the benefit requirements from any state—including those that are allowed to lower their benchmarks under a waiver, health analysts said. By choosing a waiver state, employers looking to lower their costs could impose lifetime limits and eliminate the out-of-pocket cost cap from their plans under the GOP legislation.

The measure would give employers added flexibility to take steps that could lower costs by limiting more-expensive coverage areas. And it would lessen the federal regulation of insurers, a goal of GOP lawmakers who believe the ACA is an example of government overreach.

The impact on employer plans expands the scope of the health bill to affect, potentially, everyone not insured by Medicare or small-business plans, since the bill also includes cuts to Medicaid and changes to the individual market. Employer health plans are the single largest source of health insurance in the country, with about 159 million Americans receiving coverage through their jobs.

“It’s huge,” said Andy Slavitt, former acting administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services under President Barack Obama. “They’re creating a backdoor way to gut employer plans, too.”

Source: https://www.wsj.com/articles/little-...ans-1493890203

Chugga chugga chugga chugga choo-chooooo!

The earth could spontaneously combust....

Bruce Jenner could become a man again....

This thread could prove to be informative....

Guess it's hard to understand that the law allows them to do the things listed. Its up to them If they do. Nothing forces them. You trust your company won't implement some of all of these changes if it will save them money and increase their stock prices???

What fantasy world do you live I

[cubby]

I gave up on calling any of the four phone numbers my Rep has and just flat-out went to her office. Her staff is, well, kinda busy. I was able to get a few quick words in edgewise. You know my posts, I went in prepared, took me 3 or 4 minutes. During that time, I counted phone calls. Three got answered, fifteen did not, and her voice mail has been full since 8AM.

From what I can tell between that visit and local TV news/newspaper, the impression her voters have on the subject is an overwhelming "no". And I live in a red county that's being directly funded by the bill, just so we're clear.

And she's undecided.

Can you imagine what the "yes" votes are facing?

Wow. Just . . . wow. A part of me is hoping some of the recently moved-to-yes votes are actually trolling and will actually vote no when roll is called.

(p.s. good job actually going into your Congressman's office)

[Breccia]

(p.s. good job actually going into your Congressman's office)

The guy recognized me by my voice alone. I might have called, oh, "once or twice" in the last couple months. Before today, it was "please give your public statement about XXX to the local newspaper" which I think is a fair non-combative message to ask to pass along. And she's done so, explaining her views.

This time I wasn't getting through on the phone (yeah, gee, wonder why not) and there was no longer time to ask her to talk to the newspaper.

[Casterbridge]

Let the poor die? I only skimmed the book, didn't get to the new testament, from what I've seen that God fellow is really into killing folk. I assume the later parts continue in the same manor.

Interestingly Jesus taught quite the opposite. One of the major things he did teach about was caring for the less fortunate, spoke about it repeatedly, and even condemned those that where more fortunate who did not offer aid to those in need.

One of the main reasons many christians find themselves being labelled as hypocrites is because of their attitudes versus what Jesus actually taught. Kind of sad really, betting there would be a lot better relationships between those who call themselves christians and non-christians, if the christians actually adhered more to what Jesus taught, which was the whole love your neighbour as yourself.

Oh well.

[alexw]

I gave up on calling any of the four phone numbers my Rep has and just flat-out went to her office. Her staff is, well, kinda busy. I was able to get a few quick words in edgewise. You know my posts, I went in prepared, took me 3 or 4 minutes. During that time, I counted phone calls. Three got answered, fifteen did not, and her voice mail has been full since 8AM.

From what I can tell between that visit and local TV news/newspaper, the impression her voters have on the subject is an overwhelming "no". And I live in a red county that's being directly funded by the bill, just so we're clear.

And she's undecided.

Can you imagine what the "yes" votes are facing?

This bill targets moderate income older whites with laser beam precision. So basically the core republican vote. It even impacts medicare reducing the time until it hits insolvency. One thing we all know is that older voters are extremely protective of their entitlements. So the fallout for republicans is going to be massive. I'll be amazed if they keep hold of the house after this.

[Daelak]

Well I'm sure they had their reasons. Perhaps NC already had some of the better public health care than nope, 34th in the nation. Not exactly stellar.

Hmm. Well, maybe it's not a big deal, because they don't have a lot of people in nope, 10th most ranked by poverty rate rather than flat amount. Huh.

But I guess if NC has low unemployment it's not as big of a nope, unemployment slightly higher than the national average. And rising more than the national average.

Well maybe they're a donor state and don't need nope not a donor state. 1.3 : 1 ratio.

Um...uh...state taxes are high, and they know they don't have the money to god dammit 7th highest state income taxes in the nation, combined with average sales tax and real estate taxes.

Since expanded Medicaid is a joint state/federal expenditure, it looks like NC residents, already short on cash, just didn't want to pay more, even at the cost of lack of health care. Man, that sucks.

Haha, yep, southern politics are always fucked up like this.

[Breccia]

Interestingly Jesus taught quite the opposite.

Does anyone happen to have lying around a serious attempt by a GOPer to defend their party's platform as the path of Jesus Christ? To the best of my knowledge, Jesus didn't say word one about homosexuals or abortion, but had a lot to say about healing the sick, feeding the hungry, loving thy neighbor and helping the poor.