Paul Ryan: GOP to introduce #Obamacare repeal/replace bill after break

[Robin]

House Speaker Paul Ryan said Thursday that Republicans will introduce a bill to repeal and replace Obamacare when lawmakers return from next week's recess.

He said Republicans are waiting to release the legislation until the cost of the bill is estimated by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office and the Joint Committee on Taxation.

"It has become increasingly clear that this law is collapsing," the Wisconsin Republican told reporters at his weekly news conference. He cited Tuesday's announcement by Humana to pull out of Obamacare's health exchanges as another sign that the current system is failing.

"It will keep getting worse unless we act," Ryan said.

He said the replacement bill would give consumers the power to choose their own health care plans in a more competitive marketplace. Ryan indicated that tax credits for consumers are likely to replace the government subsides currently provided to about 85% of Americans who purchase their health coverage from the Obamacare exchanges.

"A tax credit is a fixed amount (for consumers) to go buy the health plan of their choosing," Ryan said. "What we're proposing is a patient-centered system where patients get to decide what to do."

The speaker said Republicans "would love to have support from the other side," referring to Democrats. But he said it's clear Democrats don't want to support the GOP plan.

"They want to go down the socialized medicine path," Ryan said, referring to some Democrats' support for a "public option" that would create a government-run health insurance agency to compete with private companies. "That is not something we're interested in doing."

Ryan acknowledged that Senate Republicans in more than a dozen states that expanded their Medicaid programs with federal help under Obamacare are worried about working-class families losing their coverage if the Affordable Care Act is repealed.

"We're going to have to find solutions that accommodate (those) concerns," he said.

Republicans made the repeal and replacement of Obamacare a major promise of their election campaigns last year. Although GOP leaders can pass legislation without Democratic support in the House, they will need help from Democrats to pass a replacement plan in the Senate.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2017/02/16/r...

[Jerseygal]

Why is Ryan taking so long?  Democrats can't stop a one-car parade and he's dragging his feet!  He had YEARS to get something together! 

[J. Francis Roth]

Ahh, you don't completely understand the establishment Republican mindset.  For one thing, Republicans never expected Donald Trump to be elected, most of them were for all intents and purposes against a Trump victory.  They were all quite happy holding office, not accomplishing anything and they had the perfect out, "the Democrats blocked it"!  We've been hearing that for 8 years, and establishment Republicans became comfortable in their fecklessness.  Now they have the majority in both houses, the White House and in a majority of our 50 states, and they have no idea what to do with the responsibility that comes with it.  They touted that they were ready, but they weren't even ready to be ready.  Removing the RINOs is this Republic's only hope.

[JeansBrother]

...they have no idea what to do with the responsibility...

Excellent summary of government in America today!

[Jerseygal]

Jerome, you spoke truth!  I will add to that, the Republicans are still acting like the losers, despite majorities everywhere AND the presidency! 

[J. Francis Roth]

Thanks JG.  The Republican establishment are not only professional politicians but they've allowed themselves to become professional losers.  They need to go.

[Jerseygal]

Jerome, I'm so glad you share your insights here!  We are truly blessed with the many fine patriots who post here, and I'm honored to count you among them! 

[J. Francis Roth]

You're too kind.  I appreciate your insights too.  This website has quite a few intuitive contributors, you among them. 

[Jerseygal]

We are a cyber-family, Jerome! <3

[Jim Miller]

Why do the Republicans need help in the Senate? Don't they have a majority?

[Jerseygal]

They do.  Some may defect.  I think that is worrisome.  You know, there's McCain, Graham, Collins, Murkowski.....they can't be counted on  

 It IS better if even one or two Democrats vote with them. 

[Rick]

McCain has gotten on my last nerve. I am so sick of these progressive republicans.

[Jerseygal]

Me too!