# The Repeal of Obamacare/ACA: Step-bystep, Inch-by-inch

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146>\
**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:** 62

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**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:** [September 15, 2017, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/1221 "2017-09-15T16:18:05Z")

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> [@Richard\_Parker](#):
>
> Whoa! That is way more than I had heard reported. Is anyone a definite “no” other than Sen. Paul?

Not that I know of. And I don’t trust Rand Paul to stay a no.

We’re hearing tons of different whip counts and some of the counts are coming from people who have reasons to inflate or deflate those numbers. The ideal GOP situation is one where the Senators think the votes are there and the public thinks they aren’t close.

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**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\
**Post date:** [September 15, 2017, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/1222 "2017-09-15T16:23:15Z")

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When does their ability to do this through reconciliation expire? End of the month?

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**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\
**Post date:** [September 15, 2017, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/1223 "2017-09-15T16:29:22Z")

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Ah, good. My insomnia and bubble guts are coming back. Thanks GOP! Nothing like the prospect of having your family’s access to healthcare yanked away to do wonders for your own health.

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**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:** [September 15, 2017, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/1224 "2017-09-15T16:32:42Z")

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> [@Richard\_Parker](#):
>
> When does their ability to do this through reconciliation expire? End of the month?

Yes.

To be clear, they could try to do another budget resolution that gives them another try at reconciliation, but I don’t think that’s likely.

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**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\
**Post date:** [September 15, 2017, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/1225 "2017-09-15T16:35:07Z")

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> [@Richard\_Parker](#):
>
> When does their ability to do this through reconciliation expire? End of the month?

Sep 30. Or is it Oct 1. One of those.

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**Author:** ![Ambrosio\_Spinola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de0a6/32.png) [@Ambrosio\_Spinola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambrosio_Spinola)\
**Post date:** [September 15, 2017, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/1226 "2017-09-15T16:39:58Z")

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> [@Richard\_Parker](#):
>
> When does their ability to do this through reconciliation expire? End of the month?

Yep, [end of the month.](http://www.businessinsider.com/obamacare-repeal-graham-cassidy-bill-gaining-steam-2017-9) It’s hard to see how they get Collins on board for this, she’s been a consistent “no” for all the various iterations of this, and AIUI the Graham-Cassidy plan will be especially brutal for red states which expanded Medicaid, so that’ll probably lose Murkowski. However, if McCain is now on board with his buddy Graham and they don’t lose anyone else, that would do it.

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**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\
**Post date:** [September 15, 2017, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/1227 "2017-09-15T16:44:58Z")

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Isn’t McCain demanding regular order? How do they do this through regular order in 15 days?

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**Author:** ![Ambrosio\_Spinola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de0a6/32.png) [@Ambrosio\_Spinola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambrosio_Spinola)\
**Post date:** [September 15, 2017, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/1228 "2017-09-15T16:50:25Z")

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> [@Richard\_Parker](#):
>
> Isn’t McCain demanding regular order? How do they do this through regular order in 15 days?

I have no idea. There are some commentators on Twitter claiming that McConnell has directed CBO to make scoring the bill a priority and that it may have a score as early as next week as a result. It’s likely to be dreadful from a coverage perspective, but who knows if that bunch will care. Once they have that, can’t they take a vote at any time?

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**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\
**Post date:** [September 15, 2017, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/1229 "2017-09-15T17:08:31Z")

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> [@Ambrosio\_Spinola](#):
>
> I have no idea. There are some commentators on Twitter claiming that McConnell has directed CBO to make scoring the bill a priority and that it may have a score as early as next week as a result. It’s likely to be dreadful from a coverage perspective, but who knows if that bunch will care. Once they have that, can’t they take a vote at any time?

Regular order generally implies committee hearings, amendments, debate on amendments, etc.

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**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:** [September 15, 2017, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/1230 "2017-09-15T17:13:20Z")

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> [@Richard\_Parker](#):
>
> Isn’t McCain demanding regular order? How do they do this through regular order in 15 days?

McCain is very close with Graham, so that might overwhelm his calls for regular order.

This bill can’t go through regular order. It’s too late for that.

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**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\
**Post date:** [September 15, 2017, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/1231 "2017-09-15T17:41:43Z")

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Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water.

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**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\
**Post date:** [September 15, 2017, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/1232 "2017-09-15T17:55:54Z")

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My Sens are solidly pro-Obamacare (duh) and DACA (one wrote it). What can I do beyond being smug?

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**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:** [September 15, 2017, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/1233 "2017-09-15T19:21:56Z")

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> [@dropzone](#):
>
> My Sens are solidly pro-Obamacare (duh) and DACA (one wrote it). What can I do beyond being smug?

Be sure to contact them to thank them for their positions, though that doesn’t have to be today.

Encourage people you know in other states to call their senators to oppose this bill and to write letters to their editors or attend town halls or anything to make their voices heard.

Use social media to lift up data and stories that push back against the bills. Tweet at target Senators like Collins, Murkowski, Flake, McCain, Capito, Portman, and Gardner.

Monetarily or vocally support orgs that fight back. Like or retweet their posts.

Share personal stories about health care, especially ACA or Medicaid coverage.

ALWAYS VOTE.

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**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\
**Post date:** [September 15, 2017, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/1234 "2017-09-15T19:54:56Z")

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I wonder if the Dems made a huge mistake in accepting the DACA / debt ceiling / CR deal. The Senate should have been busy working on those and not have time to do anything about health care.

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**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:** [September 15, 2017, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/1235 "2017-09-15T19:55:23Z")

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> [@scr4](#):
>
> I wonder if the Dems made a huge mistake in accepting the DACA / debt ceiling / CR deal. The Senate should have been busy working on those and not have time to do anything about health care.

You are not alone.

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**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\
**Post date:** [September 15, 2017, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/1236 "2017-09-15T22:56:45Z")

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But then you have to weigh that against the real risk that Trump won’t be in the mood for the deal next week, or even the next day. With this guy, when it comes to making deals, it has to be now, because later may never come.

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**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:** [September 18, 2017, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/1237 "2017-09-18T17:05:37Z")

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It’s really, really hard right now to know if this thing is going to come up for a vote or not. McCain is insisting he needs regular order, but now the Homeland Security committee has scheduled a hearing on block grants, a laughable attempt to say “See, we’re totally having hearings!” Unclear if McCain will use the fig leaf.

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**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\
**Post date:** [September 18, 2017, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/1238 "2017-09-18T17:57:00Z")

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[NYT says](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/18/us/politics/obamacare-repeal-vote.html) Rand Paul is voting against it. Assuming he doesn’t change his mind, it just takes Murkowski and Collins to vote NO again, right?

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**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\
**Post date:** [September 18, 2017, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/1239 "2017-09-18T18:00:41Z")

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Louisiana’s Bill Cassidy (R) [wants a bigger piece of that ACA pie](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/18/us/politics/obamacare-repeal-vote.html), despite the fact that his state expanded Medicaid only after electing a Democratic governor last year.  
Graham’s own state still hasn’t expanded Medicaid, but they should get some of that sweet Obamacare revenue, too.

> [@](#):
>
> “Right now, 37 percent of the revenue from the Affordable Care Act goes to Americans in four states” — California, New York, Massachusetts and Maryland, Mr. Cassidy said. “That is frankly not fair.”

Those four states represent over 22% of the U.S. population. Of the 15 other states more populous than Maryland (#19), seven of those states representing almost 28% of the population (TX, FL, GA, NC, VA, TN, and MO) have not yet expanded Medicaid. That seems like a pretty good explanation for why they aren’t seeing more revenue, but how is that the other states’ fault? Nobody forced those states to reject the expansion and the funding that comes with it.

However, I can’t explain why the eight other states (IL, PA, OH, MI, NJ, WA, AZ, and IN) which represent almost 24% of the population are receiving less revenue than Maryland. Seems like Maryland and Massachusetts (#15) might be getting more than they fairly should. Though, it’s hard to argue that it’s unfair that a healthy chunk of that 37% is going to CA (#1) and NY (#4). I guess I’d have to see it broken down to specifics.

Can someone help me understand this?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**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:** [September 18, 2017, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/1240 "2017-09-18T18:07:53Z")

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> [@scr4](#):
>
> [NYT says](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/18/us/politics/obamacare-repeal-vote.html) Rand Paul is voting against it. Assuming he doesn’t change his mind, it just takes Murkowski and Collins to vote NO again, right?

Correct. But never trust Rand Paul.

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