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Repealing Obamacare Might Take a Year Says Trump

Repealing Obamacare Might Take a Year Says Trump

“I would like to say by the end of the year — at least the rudiments, but we should have something within the year and the following year.”

From the time it passed with zero Republican support, GOP politicians have promised to repeal Obamacare. There were numerous House votes to repeal Obamacare while President Obama was still in office, almost all of which were symbolic. No way would President Obama sign off on a bill repealing his hallmark legislation.

President Trump also promised repeal and replacement of Obamacare, and that it would be done quickly. But quickly is relative.

In a pre-Super Bowl interview with Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly Sunday, President Trump said it could take a year to repeal Obamacare.

O’Reilly asked if Americans could expect a new healthcare plan rolled out by the Trump administration.

“In the process and maybe it will take until some time into the next year, but we are certainly going to be in the process — very complicated. Obamacare is a disaster. You have to remember, Obamacare doesn’t work, so we are putting in a wonderful plan, it statutorily takes a while to get, we’ll be putting it in fairly soon. I would like to say by the end of the year — at least the rudiments, but we should have something within the year and the following year.”

Trump’s first Executive Order halted some of the regulatory restrictions of Obamacare, at least as much as was possible through executive action.

Part of the initial holdup seems to be the delayed confirmation of Rep. Price, who Trump selected to head up HHS. Hill Democrats launched a campaign to sink Price’s nomination, one that won’t likely be successful, but has delayed his confirmation considerably.

Monday, Speaker Ryan provided the following update on the repeal process:

Last week, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that Obamacare enrollments fell short of expectations—the latest example of the law’s failure to deliver on its promises. That’s why Republicans are acting with urgency to repeal Obamacare and replace it with patient-centered reform. Here’s what we’re working on this week:

  • On Tuesday, the Energy and Commerce health subcommittee will advance two bills to improve Medicaid by protecting taxpayer dollars and ensuring coverage for those who need it most. Learn more about these two bills here and tune in at 10 a.m.
  • Also happening on Tuesday: The Small Business Committee will hold a hearing to take a look at the health insurance marketplace and how Republican alternatives will improve access and affordability for Americans nationwide. That kicks off at 11 a.m.
  • The Senate is expected to vote as early as this week to confirm Dr. Tom Price (R-GA)—or, in Speaker Ryan’s words, “the absolute perfect choice.” Confirming Dr. Price, who has authority to reinvigorate the market, will be a big step forward for Americans struggling under Obamacare.

Pitched as “A Better Way”, Speaker Ryan’s plan is still in the conceptual phase but promises to make health insurance portable and patient-centric:

In a perfect world, the federal government would almost completely relinquish any oversight of the health insurance marketplace. After Obamacare effectively gobbled up one-sixth of the private sector, it will take more than an act of Congress to “get the government out of healthcare.”

Follow Kemberlee on Twitter @kemberleekaye

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Comments

Bollocks. More broken promises by Congressional Republicans. More business as usual. Given the chance to do the right thing, all we ever get are excuses.

Yeah, people would be much happier following the Democratic lead and forcing a State laboratory experiment to the national level. There is a comprehensive problem, not limited to the medical and pharmaceutical sectors, which they need to assess and resolve the right way.

The GOPe is of the same mind as the Democrats and repealing ObamaCare is giving up government control of health care, they are loath to relinquish and power whatsoever. The fight will be with the entire collective establishment and not just Democrats. Take a look at the list of Republicans in the Senate and House taking Soros money and it will be much clearer as to what is going on here.

This makes me sick.

How are the R’s not ready to roll on this already? They’ve had 6 years to prepare.

    They expected to be able to keep it. Had Hillary or Jeb! won as initially expected, they would have. Zillions of campaign promises to the contrary notwithstanding.

    I can think of no other explanation; were they serious about repeal and replace, they’d have it ready to go.

If you ever needed proof that the gope is totally contemptible, this is it ! After 6-7 years they DO NOT HAVE EVEN 1 PAGE of a plan. I can not even bear the rage I feel for these lying worthless slime balls !