House Republican leaders are quietly hatching a plan of attack as they await a historic Supreme Court ruling on President Barack Obama’s health care law.
If the law is upheld, Republicans will take to the floor to tear out its most controversial pieces, such as the individual mandate and requirements that employers provide insurance or face fines.
This will be much ado about nothing. They need votes for this. They will need veto proof votes. They don't have them. More show. But wait, what Roberts and Co. strike down the Obamanation?
If the law is partially or fully overturned they’ll draw up bills to keep the popular, consumer-friendly portions in place — like allowing adult children to remain on parents’ health care plans until age 26, and forcing insurance companies to provide coverage for people with pre-existing conditions. Ripping these provisions from law is too politically risky, Republicans say.
The post-Supreme Court plan — a ruling should come in June — has long been whispered about inside House leadership circles and among the House’s elected physicians but is now being discussed with a larger groups of lawmakers, showing that Republicans are aggressively preparing for a big-time health care debate in the heat of an election-year summer.
Look over that bold part again. They still are about pandering and giving away free stuff. Oh, we can't take your free stuff away. People might have to get serious about their lives for a minute.....
Give me a break. Folks, I have been without health insurance since 2003. Guess what? I am not oppressed. I still go to the doctor. I still get medications. I even had a turn with physical therapy and a severe knee injury. Granted, surgery was recommended, but I chose therapy. Why? Affordability. Wow, just think if we all would make decisions like that. Wonder what premiums would be then?
But I digress. The House GOP, where Boehner and Cantor worry about media love and such, is putting out a trial balloon. They want to know what you think of their great plan. Republicans are afraid of what the Democrats are going to say if the whole thing's overturned. And it's very predictable. Obama and the Democrats -- and I'll bet you the ads are already done. "Five white people on the Supreme Court took your health insurance away from you. Well, four white guys and a traitor that's black took your health coverage away from you, took your health care away from you. They still have theirs. They still have theirs but they just took yours. You know that's what the campaign's gonna be.
No political courage or will. No wonder Paul Ryan is staying in the House. Someone has to be the voice crying in the wind.
The biggest reforms that could be made would be Health accounts, competition across state lines, and a redefinition of what health insurance is. Health insurance, as it was conceived, was NEVER, EVER to be go to the doc on someone else's dime. It was meant for serious events, like hospital stays, etc. Unfortunately, to entice workers, companies added things, and now we have this collective mess. If we change the structure and nature of health insurance, maybe we can do something about price. To me, the doctor is like your mechanic of your body. Most reputable mechanics have maintenance job prices listed so you can compare. Why shouldn't doctors? But, I live under Mayor Limbaugh in Realville. Your mileage may vary.
