# 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:** 7
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2017, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/121 "2017-01-05T00:11:23Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > Well, (a) who said they’ve “done anything for” me? Who gave you Obamacare? Do you need a hint? > [@](#): > > maybe made some other people worse off and some other people better off? You’re irate about a “maybe”? > [@](#): > > if I could point to a lie I’d been told by my insurance company or my employer, I’d probably be, uh, “irate” about it; but since I can’t point to a lie from them The point is that \*they \*haven’t guaranteed you jack shit. Yes, you’re pointing your ire solely at the only people who have actually \*done \*a damn thing about the problem, or _will_. Reconsider. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2017, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/122 "2017-01-05T00:23:50Z")
> [@Grim\_Render](#): > > Bumping this because Id like to hear too. He’s not slow to tell people to fuck off. So that would be my guess. ---
**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:** [January 5, 2017, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/123 "2017-01-05T00:27:18Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > He’s not slow to tell people to fuck off. So that would be my guess. That’s pretty much his Go-to rebuttal. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2017, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/124 "2017-01-05T00:32:05Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Who gave you Obamacare? Do you need a hint? As far as I can tell, I haven’t gotten a thing out of it; I was given nothing. > [@](#): > > You’re irate about a “maybe”? Hmm. Okay, I’m irate about a “to the best of my knowledge”. Some people, “to the best of my knowledge”, had plans they liked and weren’t able to keep, despite the if-you-like-your-plan-you-can-keep-it guarantee. > [@](#): > > The point is that \*they \*haven’t guaranteed you jack shit. Isn’t that my point? I’d get irate if I saw a commercial with false advertising – even though I _don’t_ get irate when folks simply don’t advertise. I’d get irate about a perjurer – even though I _don’t_ get irate about folks who don’t testify in the first place. _To the best of my knowledge,_ neither my employer nor my insurer has ever lied to me; I’m trying real hard, but I can’t seem to get irate about that. By contrast, Obama seems to have simply lied, which makes me as “irate” as false advertising or perjury. > [@](#): > > Yes, you’re pointing your ire solely at the only people who have actually \*done \*a damn thing about the problem, or _will_. Reconsider. Uh, okay; I’m reconsidering. When _else_ do you think I should give liars a pass? Is it “whenever they’re doing a damn thing about a problem,” or is there more to it? ---
**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:** [January 5, 2017, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/125 "2017-01-05T01:38:52Z")
> [@](#): > > Today Republicans are set to huddle on Capitol Hill with incoming Vice President Mike Pence to talk about their strategy for repeal, or repeal-and-delay, or repeal-and-replace, or repeal-and-maybe-replace, or repeal-and-pretend-to-want-to-replace — whatever you want to call it, Obamacare repeal is very likely to happen. > > Are Republicans going wobbly? I doubt it will mean that much in the long run. But some reports this morning are hinting at it. > > To be sure, Republicans are entering into a totally new phase — the great and glorious moment of liberation and catharsis they have long yearned for is upon them. But all is not bliss. For years, they could vote for repeal, secure in the knowledge that they would never have to deal with the consequences of it actually happening. Republicans could rail away without worrying that their own constituents would lose health coverage — allowing them to say they supported the ACA’s popular provisions while not explaining how they’d retain those things under a (non-existent) GOP replacement. > > But, now that it is very likely to happen, Republicans are finding repeal isn’t so awesome, after all. CNN reports today that some Republicans are now publicly worrying about the Republican plan to repeal the law on a delayed schedule that would theoretically give them time to come up with a replacement later, and they’re pumping the brakes a bit… > > [Cite](http://wapo.st/2j4Dmo4) Too chicken to implement the scorched earth program you’ve been promising for eight years? Losing your nerve? :mad: ETA > [@](#): > > Note that Gingrich’s primary concern is that Republicans will be put in the \*\*optical position \*\*of taking the blame for millions losing coverage — which, of course, would actually happen if Republicans do repeal the law without replacing it. “Optical position”? WTF is that? They WILL be to blame. Nothing _optical_ about it. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2017, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/126 "2017-01-05T04:19:58Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Too chicken to implement the scorched earth program you’ve been promising for eight years? Losing your nerve? :mad: > > ETA “Optical position”? WTF is that? They WILL be to blame. Nothing _optical_ about it. As an Optical Engineer, the current use of “optical”, especially in politics, as synonymous with “Makes It Look Like” bugs the hell out of me. That’s how Newt is using it here – “It will look as if the Republicans are responsible for millions losing their coverage”. The real failing is not in actually being responsible for the loss of healthcare – the failing is being _seen_ as responsible for it. ---
**Author:** ![eulalia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eulalia/32/457_2.png) [@eulalia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eulalia)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2017, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/127 "2017-01-05T07:16:30Z")
> [@FuriousGeorge](#): > > Amendment 69 (single payer coverage in Colorado) was defeated 80 percent to 20 percent. Popular is not the word I would use here. I said the concept was popular, not the amendment itself. Please read for comprehension. ---
**Author:** ![OwnRules](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ea666f/32.png) [@OwnRules](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OwnRules)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2017, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/128 "2017-01-05T11:34:56Z")
The man who should be President: [**Bernie Sanders displays giant Trump tweet on Senate floor**](https://www.yahoo.com/news/bernie-sanders-displays-giant-trump-tweet-on-senate-floor-215837024.html) ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2017, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/129 "2017-01-05T12:18:38Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > YESYESYES. It can be done and it is being done all over the world. > > This from an expert on the subject. I hope you’re the expert.😃 I’m supposed to write the Great American Novel, and I am a little puzzled that I got into this healthcare data stuff. Really, it was a very weird change in career path. One second I was saying, “SQL? Sure, I can learn that, it’s all just language.” and next thing I know I’m working on a Masters degree and finding out that what the courses are calling “history” is what I call “my early work years.” > [@](#): > > But the Republicans are against a universal payer system ON PRINCIPLE. It doesn’t matter that it would help people and would be financially feasible. They just don’t care whether anyone except the very rich make it in this world. That’s the long and short of it. Sad. But true. This is what I don’t understand. The Republicans I know personally are lovely people, who would help someone in need in a second. And they all support these unpleasant people who vote against humanitarian principles. I don’t get it. BTW, people \*did \*get things out of Obamacare, even if they don’t know it. If it is repealed, I’m sure everyone who has to buy a private insurance plan will enjoy having their entire health history scrutinized by a would-be insurer. (Don’t bother lying on the application; the Medical Information Bureau, or MIB, keeps this information on you.) If you were treated for acne in 2000, if you had a spate of heartburn in 2010 – be prepared for a rejection of coverage and/or denial of care. If you have a chronic illness such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or hyperlipidemia (half of American adults take a medication for at least one of these conditions), be prepared to be unable to get coverage at any price. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2017, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/130 "2017-01-05T12:26:08Z")
No, no, no - they won’t _deny_ you coverage, they’ll just quote you a monthly premium twice your gross monthly income… but they won’t _deny_ you. It’s not _their_ fault they’ve priced you out of the market! ---
**Author:** ![Grim\_Render](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@Grim\_Render](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grim_Render)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2017, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/131 "2017-01-05T14:43:10Z")
Its basically feudalism light. Anyway good point about people who have had Obamacare never getting healthcare again. ---
**Author:** ![FuriousGeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecae2f/32.png) [@FuriousGeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FuriousGeorge)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2017, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/132 "2017-01-05T16:49:21Z")
> [@eulalia](#): > > I said the concept was popular, not the amendment itself. Please read for comprehension. Pre-voting polls showed the amendment slightly more popular at 30 percent. Still not very popular. I’m struggling with a concept that lost by 60 percent as being popular in any form. I struggle with this amendment losing, and losing by a very large margin, because well, we like the idea of free shit but the devil is in the details. Voters, as a whole, are generally not that nuanced as evidenced by the whole Trump/Clinton debacle. So, even if your premise is accepted on face value, which I don’t necessarily accept as a Colorado resident as well, once again it boils down to the mysterious “the concept was popular” but the execution not so much. As stated previously the idea of free shit is a great idea. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t want free shit. Actually having to pay for and implement said free shit, not so much. The concept of free blow jobs for all sounds magnificent until it is actually presented as free blow jobs for all given by syphilitic goats from the local TB sanitarium farm. The point being, I did read for comprehension in your post. I reject the premise because free shit is never free shit. ---
**Author:** ![FuriousGeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecae2f/32.png) [@FuriousGeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FuriousGeorge)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2017, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/133 "2017-01-05T17:00:42Z")
> [@FuriousGeorge](#): > > Pre-voting polls showed the amendment slightly more popular at 30 percent. Still not very popular. I’m struggling with a concept that lost by 60 percent as being popular in any form. I struggle with this amendment losing, and losing by a very large margin, because well, we like the idea of free shit but the devil is in the details. Voters, as a whole, are generally not that nuanced as evidenced by the whole Trump/Clinton debacle. > > So, even if your premise is accepted on face value, which I don’t necessarily accept as a Colorado resident as well, once again it boils down to the mysterious “the concept was popular” but the execution not so much. As stated previously the idea of free shit is a great idea. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t want free shit. Actually having to pay for and implement said free shit, not so much. The concept of free blow jobs for all sounds magnificent until it is actually presented as free blow jobs for all given by syphilitic goats from the local TB sanitarium farm. > > The point being, I did read for comprehension in your post. I reject the premise because free shit is never free shit. Alright so the free stuff argument looks to be from a different thread. Mea culpa. However, I still stand by my point that single payer and/or ACA in Colorado (or nationwide for that matter) has never been popular except to those that stand to directly benefit (color me stunned). It’s just not. An amendment to bring it in some fashion was defeated and defeated soundly. With that large a margin. it’s not the details that lost. It’s the concept that lost. ---
**Author:** ![Grim\_Render](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@Grim\_Render](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grim_Render)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2017, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/134 "2017-01-05T18:09:08Z")
> [@FuriousGeorge](#): > > The concept of free blow jobs for all sounds magnificent until it is actually presented as free blow jobs for all given by syphilitic goats from the local TB sanitarium farm. > > The point being, I did read for comprehension in your post. I reject the premise because free shit is never free shit. On a national level, the concept is not free shit. The concept is that the current shit has been allowed to grow so expensive and inefficient that a better system can deliver more shit for less money. That may look like free shit from the perspective of the recipient who may now be paying less and getting shit he never got before. But it isn’t really free. Of course, part of the inefficiency is that the US is trying to have something like a score or more different systems duplicating each others work were everyone else mostly has one system and lets the market sort out the rest. Fixing that by adding one more system isn’t really going to work. ---
**Author:** ![FuriousGeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecae2f/32.png) [@FuriousGeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FuriousGeorge)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2017, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/135 "2017-01-05T18:25:39Z")
> [@Grim\_Render](#): > > On a national level, the concept is not free shit. The concept is that the current shit has been allowed to grow so expensive and inefficient that a better system can deliver more shit for less money. > > That may look like free shit from the perspective of the recipient who may now be paying less and getting shit he never got before. But it isn’t really free. > > Of course, part of the inefficiency is that the US is trying to have something like a score or more different systems duplicating each others work were everyone else mostly has one system and lets the market sort out the rest. > > Fixing that by adding one more system isn’t really going to work. Fair enough. It **is** being sold as free shit, though, and accepting that the vast majority realizes that it is not free shit, single payer, imesho, is still not “popular” to the US population as a whole despite protestations from those that do support it. ---
**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:** [January 5, 2017, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/136 "2017-01-05T18:37:12Z")
> [@Grim\_Render](#): > > On a national level, the concept is not free shit. The concept is that the current shit has been allowed to grow so expensive and inefficient that a better system can deliver more shit for less money. > > That may look like free shit from the perspective of the recipient who may now be paying less and getting shit he never got before. But it isn’t really free. > > Of course, part of the inefficiency is that the US is trying to have something like a score or more different systems duplicating each others work were everyone else mostly has one system and lets the market sort out the rest. > > Fixing that by adding one more system isn’t really going to work. Good summary. Of course the challenge with a major change to the system is that there is a large industry in the middle of things, who has been getting a lot of money for being the inefficient middle-man. These are the companies who are lobbying against any changes. And they have deep pockets (from taking piles of money by being in the middle). So they are deeply entrenched in keeping the status quo. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2017, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/137 "2017-01-05T20:31:55Z")
> [@GrumpyBunny](#): > > BTW, people \*did \*get things out of Obamacare, even if they don’t know it. If it is repealed, I’m sure everyone who has to buy a private insurance plan will enjoy having their entire health history scrutinized by a would-be insurer. (Don’t bother lying on the application; the Medical Information Bureau, or MIB, keeps this information on you.) If you were treated for acne in 2000, if you had a spate of heartburn in 2010 – be prepared for a rejection of coverage and/or denial of care. If you have a chronic illness such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or hyperlipidemia (half of American adults take a medication for at least one of these conditions), be prepared to be unable to get coverage at any price. This. Trumpcare: “Make America Sick Again.” ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2017, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/138 "2017-01-05T22:52:16Z")
All that needs to be done is to craft a bill declaring Obamacare has been repealed and replaced by the ACA… Should satisfy many haters of Obamacare and the Republicans can honestly say that those who like it can keep it. ---
**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:** [January 5, 2017, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/139 "2017-01-05T23:03:02Z")
> [@Grim\_Render](#): > > Its basically feudalism light. > > Anyway good point about people who have had Obamacare never getting healthcare again. \ Well you see, those people don’t DESERVE healthcare, because they are poor. They obviously made bad choices to be sick, and to be poor, so they should not expect ME to pay for that. I am better than them, because I worked hard, and made good choices, like not getting sick. If I can be OK health-wise, that means that The Others are undeserving. I refuse to acknowledge that bad luck or circumstances play any role, because that thought frightens me. \ ---
**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:** [January 5, 2017, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146/140 "2017-01-05T23:04:07Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > All that needs to be done is to craft a bill declaring Obamacare has been repealed and replaced by the ACA… Should satisfy many haters of Obamacare and the Republicans can honestly say that those who like it can keep it. You forgot: Let Trump take all the credit for it. This is important to him. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repeal-of-obamacare-aca-step-bystep-inch-by-inch/776146.md?page=8)