US House Republicans unveil plan to repeal and replace Obamacare

For example, the RSC memo objects to the fact that the plan extends Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion for three years. “But this is early days – just because some Republicans are panning this plan doesn’t mean it can’t pass or that something can’t pass”. Also unclear is where Trump stands on numerous details. “To do that, you have to get rid of Obamacare completely”.

Critics complained about the penalty the law charged those who refused to buy insurance.

Other Republicans have their own problems with the proposal.

The GOP plan would try to encourage people to maintain coverage by allowing insurers to impose a 30 percent surcharge for those who do not have continuous coverage. After that, states can only continue to receive enhanced federal payments for beneficiaries already covered by the expansion, which has mainly helped low-income adults with no children living at home. And, for Americans who don’t get insurance through work or a federal program, we provide a tax credit to help purchase coverage tailored to your needs.

The answer is a 50-state insurance market, subsidies for uncovered lower-income families and an individual mandate strong enough to ensure almost everyone has at least catastrophic coverage.

Almost half of the previously uninsured Americans who gained coverage under Obamacare got it through the expansion of Medicaid, which would end in 2020 under the House plan, then face funding caps.

The bill would not repeal the healthcare program’s “Cadillac” tax on high-cost health insurance plans.

Under the bill, Obamacare’s income-based and location-based tax credits would be replaced by fixed tax credits.

And we’re not even getting into the laughably small funds for high-risk pools within states, or the repeal of Obamacare taxes on the rich.

What’s more, they say, Obamacare has introduced some vital protections. These include allowing children under age 26 to remain on their parents’ policies and protecting those with pre-existing conditions.

Republicans have been counting on Mr Trump to use his influence to persuade wavering members to support the plan.

Republicans say their plan creates competition that will drive down costs. The House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee approved the bill along party lines early Thursday after almost 18 hours of debate.

Still, these credits may not be enough to make insurance actually affordable. HHS Secretary Tom Price, a former Republican congressman, is the Trump administration’s point person on Obamacare repeal and replace.

House Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady, The Woodlands Republican who is a leading player in the overhaul, pushed back against criticism of the bill. While there are many applauding this new bill as a way to replace the Affordable Care Act, some healthcare advocates say it’s still unclear how this could impact Texas.

Still, he guaranteed he would drum up the 218 votes needed for passage, saying: “The nightmare of Obamacare is about to end”.

There is no word yet when the Congressional budget office will have an estimate.