# The Repeal of Obamacare/ACA: Step-bystep, Inch-by-inch **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 2, 2017, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146 "2017-01-02T17:06:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 43
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2017, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/841 "2017-07-18T03:45:33Z")
As has already been pointed out, the Republicans have had 8 years to come up with a credible plan, but They. Don’t. Have. A. Fucking. Clue. Partly, this is because “Obamacare” was the Republican plan. But it was passed by that uppity black man, so they are duty-bound to hate it with the passion a thousand suns. Really, what they are all seeking now is the scapegoat to blame this clusterfuck on when people start cluing in. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2017, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/842 "2017-07-18T03:47:16Z")
I’m really tired. I need sleep. And a vacation. And a Congress that isn’t stupid. IS THIS TOO MUCH TO ASK? ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2017, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/843 "2017-07-18T05:25:36Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > “Republicans should just REPEAL failing ObamaCare now & work on a new Healthcare Plan that will start from a clean slate. Dems will join in!” - Trump a few minutes ago. What does that even mean? Do they stop the federal exchanges? Withdraw the money from Medicaid? Do they tell people “hey, you’re not insured anymore. we’ll figure something out?” “Repeal” is meaningless drivel ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2017, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/844 "2017-07-18T05:42:00Z")
What it means is that Trump is repeating the stuff he watches on TV. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2017, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/845 "2017-07-18T06:03:43Z")
> [@amarinth](#): > > What does that even mean? > > Do they stop the federal exchanges? Withdraw the money from Medicaid? Do they tell people “hey, you’re not insured anymore. we’ll figure something out?” > “Repeal” is meaningless drivel Apparently, they’re going to vote on doing it, whatever it is, so we’ll see won’t we? ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2017, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/846 "2017-07-18T11:01:48Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > As has already been pointed out, the Republicans have had 8 years to come up with a credible plan, but > > They. > Don’t. > Have. > A. > Fucking. > Clue. > > Partly, this is because “Obamacare” was the Republican plan. But it was passed by that uppity black man, so they are duty-bound to hate it with the passion a thousand suns. > > Really, what they are all seeking now is the scapegoat to blame this clusterfuck on when people start cluing in. Exactly this. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2017, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/847 "2017-07-18T12:31:05Z")
> [@amarinth](#): > > What does that even mean? > > Do they stop the federal exchanges? Withdraw the money from Medicaid? Do they tell people “hey, you’re not insured anymore. we’ll figure something out?” > “Repeal” is meaningless drivel It would take the money out of the Medicaid expansion and the exchanges. But it would leave the regulations in place, since they cannot be eliminated in a reconciliation bill. This is what they passed in 2015, and the CBO scored it as 18 million extra people without coverage within the year, 32 million extra within 10 years, with a sharp spike in premiums. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2017, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/848 "2017-07-18T12:49:26Z")
Of course their “healthcare” legislation was defeated – because they’ve not for a single day ever had an honest conversation about how to improve healthcare in this country. The irony is that the Republicans, who used to be the insurance industry’s friend, are now getting cross with the insurance industry, many of whom actually were willing to make a newer, improved version of Obamacare that gives them automatic mandated income a chance to work. It is now beyond evident that for Republicans, “healthcare reform” was really code speak for “entitlements reform” – as in basically gutting the entire system, ridding us of Medicaid and, yes, even Medicare. They should just rename themselves the Plutocratic party and be done with it. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2017, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/849 "2017-07-18T17:30:14Z")
So… nothing about the fact that the “repeal” plan is now dead excites anyone? > **[Mitch McConnell refuses to pull the plug on stalled Obamacare repeal plan |...](https://www.cnn.com/2017/07/18/politics/mcconell-repreal-and-replace-obamacare-not-successful/index.html?adkey=bn)** > > Another day, another excruciating setback for the Republican Party. Looks like this thing is as dead as a bill can get. I LOVE how the Senate GOP fucked over all the House members who voted “yes” based on the “pass and the Senate will fix it for you” lie. Karma is a bitch. And to think that this latest collapse started when John McCain went to the hospital to receive his ACA benefits. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2017, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/850 "2017-07-18T17:41:09Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > So… nothing about the fact that the “repeal” plan is now dead excites anyone? > > [http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/18/politics/mcconell-repreal-and-replace-obamacare-not-successful/index.html?adkey=bn](http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/18/politics/mcconell-repreal-and-replace-obamacare-not-successful/index.html?adkey=bn) > > Looks like this thing is as dead as a bill can get. > > I LOVE how the Senate GOP fucked over all the House members who voted “yes” based on the “pass and the Senate will fix it for you” lie. Karma is a bitch. > > And to think that this latest collapse started when John McCain went to the hospital to receive his ACA benefits. Wait until he gets thrown into the high-risk pool. Unlike others, he could afford it. After all, he has six (seven? I forget) houses. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2017, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/851 "2017-07-18T17:43:05Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > So… nothing about the fact that the “repeal” plan is now dead excites anyone? I was posting in a different thread. I’m losing track of threads and my mind. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2017, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/852 "2017-07-18T17:55:40Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > So… nothing about the fact that the “repeal” plan is now dead excites anyone? Not really. It’s more sad than anything. It demonstrates how chaotic, divisive and ineffective our government has gotten. Who among them can really guide our nation to a prosperous future? None of them have any vision. Chump hasn’t learned his lesson and is just playing the usual blame game. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2017, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/853 "2017-07-18T18:19:40Z")
The Mango Manchild [declares](http://www.cnbc.com/2017/07/18/trump-well-just-let-obamacare-fail.html)that he refuses to “own” the mess he and his lackeys created. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2017, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/854 "2017-07-18T18:23:24Z")
If the Republicans do nothing, would Obamacare “fail” as Trump says? Or would it function fairly well? Or something in between? ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2017, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/855 "2017-07-18T18:26:02Z")
I thought the most fascinating comment was when Trump said that the vote would have been 48 to 4 – impressive! You know, once you ignore all those other votes that just don’t count, only having 4 votes against IS really awesome!! ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2017, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/856 "2017-07-18T18:42:03Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > If the Republicans do nothing, would Obamacare “fail” as Trump says? Or would it function fairly well? Or something in between? That depends if “doing nothing” includes not paying the CSRs. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2017, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/857 "2017-07-18T18:56:39Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > That depends if “doing nothing” includes not paying the CSRs. Not paying the bills is second nature to the Short-Fingered Vulgarian. ---
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2017, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/858 "2017-07-18T19:10:02Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > So… nothing about the fact that the “repeal” plan is now dead excites anyone? > > [http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/18/politics/mcconell-repreal-and-replace-obamacare-not-successful/index.html?adkey=bn](http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/18/politics/mcconell-repreal-and-replace-obamacare-not-successful/index.html?adkey=bn) > > Looks like this thing is as dead as a bill can get. > > I LOVE how the Senate GOP fucked over all the House members who voted “yes” based on the “pass and the Senate will fix it for you” lie. Karma is a bitch. > > And to think that this latest collapse started when John McCain went to the hospital to receive his ACA benefits. I for one am tittering with collectivist glee.😃 ---
**Author:** ![snoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@snoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snoe)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2017, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/859 "2017-07-18T19:35:41Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > That depends if “doing nothing” includes not paying the CSRs. Kevin Drum argues that even _that_ dick move – plus/or ordering the IRS to not enforce the individual mandate – would not be enough to “kill Obamacare.” (Or, somewhat more accurately, let it die after pretending to dial 9-1-1 and, while waiting for the phantom ambulance, giving it several sharp kicks to the head. All the while spouting platitudes about “freedom,” “over-regulation,” and “the good old days.”) > **[With Trumpcare dead, will Republicans move on to sabotaging Obamacare?](https://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2017/07/with-trumpcare-dead-will-republicans-move-on-to-sabotaging-obamacare/)** > >   Drum argues that the entire Obamacare-defined healthcare framework would not implode, collapse, what have you from mere neglect or the kind of sabotage that the executive branch can do without major legislation. Not soon, anyway. But the health insurance market would, he predicts, quickly get worse for many people, and especially for the non-subsidized un-rich who rely on a stable insurance market (rather than premium support or Medicaid) to keep insurance premiums down and quality plans affordable. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2017, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/860 "2017-07-18T20:13:52Z")
If Obamacare’s insurance markets enter into a death spiral – which is possible – then I don’t see how Republicans don’t own that. Everyone knows they hate Obamacare and have tried to help it unravel from the beginning. Legislative incompetence aside, it’s entirely possible that this might be the one strategy that finally does the ACA in once and for all. Just create ongoing instability about the support it’ll receive and eventually insurers will start trying to operate independent of the law. Republicans will still own it though. Sorry but when you run the three branches of government at the federal level and 75 percent of state governments, you kinda “own” what happens. Of course that doesn’t change the fact that to a rather large radicalized segment of the population, it’s still inexplicably more important that we find out about Hillary’s emails than providing healthcare coverage to millions of people. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146.md?page=42) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146.md?page=44)