Republican Drive To Repeal ACA Starts With Senate Budget Resolution
By Christine Kern, contributing writer
Senate passes Obamacare repeal budget resolution with 51 votes.
The Republican drive to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has begun with the passing of the Senate Budget Resolution — 51 votes cast mostly along party lines — according to CNN. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) was the only senator to break party lines, joining Democrats in opposing the motion. The move opens the debate on the budget measure which would establish a plan for the repeal of Obamacare through a separate reconciliation bill, crafted by relevant congressional committees.
The Republicans have a four-step plan to accomplish the repeal of the ACA, according to The New York Times. The steps include: shielding the repeal legislation from filibuster; adding the details that will eviscerate the ACA; engaging the new president through executive actions on healthcare; and the creation of a replacement healthcare law.
“We are working on a series of executive orders that the president-elect will put into effect to ensure that there is an orderly transition, during the period after we repeal Obamacare, to a market-based health care economy,” vice president-elect Mike Pence said.
Many experts have warned removing the ACA without having a replacement law at the ready would cause chaos in the healthcare industry — particularly in insurance markets — and those in the industry are uncertain about what to expect in the coming months.
“It will be repeal and replace, essentially,” said president-elect Donald Trump. “We are going to have a healthcare [plan] that is far less expensive and far better.”
Meanwhile, Democrats remain committed to saving the ACA and have been publicizing the impact of Obamacare on the lives of individuals. As part of these efforts, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Shumer of New York and House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California are urging their colleagues to organize nationwide rallies on January 15 to oppose the Republicans’ new healthcare agenda.
Shumer said Democrats will hold the Republicans accountable for any ensuing chaos following the repeal of the ACA, saying on the Senate floor, “Put this irresponsible and rushed repeal plan aside. Work with us Democrats on a way to improve healthcare in America, not put chaos in place of affordable care.”
The measure may not have uniform support from House Republicans where there are signs several groups are concerned. Moderates may oppose the measure because they don’t want to support a repeal without a replacement plan in place, according to The Washington Post. According to Rep. Charlie Dent (R-PA), moderate Republicans that comprise the Tuesday Group have “serious reservations” about moving forward without a replacement plan clearly demarked before repeal. “We just want more specifics,” said Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC), the caucus chairman. “I’m willing to take a vote today if we have the specifics. So it’s not as much slow it down for slowing-it-down purposes as it is, we need to know what we’re going to replace it with.”