Replacing Obamacare: welcome to Trumpcare?
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good at drinking water
Forums:
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/03/trumpcare-the-culmination-o...
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Republicans apparently believed they could grab one of the many conservative plans that have floated around Washington, or perhaps patch a few of them together. They quickly encountered an insurmountable obstacle. The main challenge in drafting any health-care plan is financing it. If you want to finance health-care access to people who can’t afford it, then other people have to pay for it. This is always a challenge in politics, since Americans don’t like paying for other people to get things, but it’s a special challenge for a party that has elevated opposition to new taxes to the status of theological precept.
There seemed to be one way out of the trap. Conservative health-care wonks wanted to eliminate or cap the tax deduction for employer-sponsored health insurance. This would be a mechanism that could pass philosophical muster among the keepers of the Reaganite flame, while potentially raising the hundreds of billions of dollars needed to finance coverage in any Republican plan. But, as the conservative analyst Christopher Jacobs explained yesterday, when Republicans modeled out the effects of capping the tax deduction, it turned out to have a deadly result. Reducing the tax incentive for employer-sponsored insurance, they found, would cause businesses to dump more people out of their employer-sponsored insurance.
Not only would this be a political catastrophe — millions and millions of Americans who were covered through their work and considered themselves safe would suddenly be tossed off their plans — it was a fiscal disaster as well. These newly uninsured people would now be eligible for the tax credits Republicans were trying to provide for the people already getting insurance through Obamacare. Jacobs likened the problem to quicksand. “The more they thrashed to get out of the quicksand — by increasing the subsidies or adjusting the cap on the employer exclusion, or both — the deeper they sank,” he reported, “by increasing the erosion of employer-sponsored insurance.”
Republicans responded to this trap by giving up on their plan to cap the tax break for employer-sponsored insurance. That rescued them from their quicksand trap. But it also left them without their favorite financing mechanism. Now they had to find a way to pay for tax credits for the people they were throwing off Obamacare’s markets.
How to do that? This is where they landed, by financing Trumpcare with the one source of fiscal savings Republicans inevitably fall back upon when their fiscal plans don’t add up: poor people. Trumpcare now finances the tax credits for the uninsured primarily by cutting Medicaid.
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The national health-care debate began in 2009. Republicans have had eight years since then to draw up and unify around a plan of their own. They have spent this time insisting they could do so easily. For most of the year, in fact, House Republicans have been running a television ad assuring the public they already “have a plan” with wonderful features: “Health insurance that provides more choices and better care, at lower costs. Provides peace of mind to people with preexisting conditions … without disrupting existing coverage.”
Eventually they had told the lie so long it became impossible for them to abandon it. And so Republicans have found themselves frantically scrawling out a hopelessly inadequate solution in order to meet a self-imposed deadline driven by their overarching desire to cut taxes for the rich. “Expanding subsidies for high earners, and cutting health coverage off from the working poor: it sounds like a left-wing caricature of mustache-twirling, top-hatted Republican fat cats,” writes the Republican health-care adviser Avik Roy. https://www.forbes.com/sites/theapothecary/2017/03/07/house-gops-obamaca...
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Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: _
Trumpcare Sumary
Trumpcare Summary
In:
Out:
https://www.axios.com/trumpcare-whats-in-whats-out-2303469641.html
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Richard Cranium
DOA
DOA
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: good at drinking water
Roy's quote in context :
Roy's quote in context : https://www.forbes.com/sites/theapothecary/2017/03/07/house-gops-obamaca...
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The CBO is likely to score the AHCA as covering around 20 million fewer Americans than Obamacare. There are flaws in the way the CBO models health reform legislation, but the AHCA itself contains enough flaws that there can be little doubt that the plan will price millions out of the health insurance market.
Expanding subsidies for high earners, and cutting health coverage off from the working poor: it sounds like a left-wing caricature of mustache-twirling, top-hatted Republican fat cats. But not today."
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Sycamore Slough
"...Covers five age groups —
"...Covers five age groups — starts at $2,000 for people in their 20s, increases to $4,000 for people in their 60s..."
Is that price per month or per year? I'm serious, I've no idea what the stuff costs these days.
Been almost ten years since I've had coverage. I really ought to look into "Catastrophic" or similar.
My only 2-3 visits to the Docs or Urgent Care last 20 years have been your basic 'Blunt Trauma' incidents. Two bicycle-related accidents and a torn medial meniscus.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: _
>> Is that price per month or
>> Is that price per month or per year? I'm serious, I've no idea what the stuff costs these days.
No, that's a continuation of the line before it. The dollar amounts refer to a new tax credit.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Sycamore Slough
My take on the Canadian
My take on the Canadian system, from attending University up North...
Every Canadian can access Doctors and Hospitals by virtue of being Canadian. Yes, taxes are higher in comparison, but that's why everyone has their own company to write off many things. But you get hit by a bus or train, no worries about going bankrupt to get sewn up.
I had to purchase the University's Blue Cross plan in order to enroll. No exceptions for foreign students, even with a signed letter from USA Blue Cross stating that I was covered for anything/everything in Canada.
My fellow students (the Medical Faculty types) explained that Canadian doctors don't get paid as much in comparison to USA doctors. So a lot of the Canadians graduate with their MD degree and move to 'The States' to get wealthy.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: smokestack
my doctor is a millionaire
my doctor is a millionaire
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: _
One way or another, this
One way or another, this darkness got to give:
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: intentionally blank
The word "Trump" really doesn
The word "Trump" really doesn't belong in the middle of Welcome and Care.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: An organ grinder’s tune
How much more fucking can the
How much more fucking can the avg working american take?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Oaksterdam Dan
Death panel for 15 million
Death panel for 15 million people!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Oaksterdam Dan
Trumpcare is a HUGE GIVEAWAY
Trumpcare is a HUGE GIVEAWAY TO THE RICH from Medicaid!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: ________
My fucking premiums better go
My fucking premiums better go down
period
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: _
For “people who already have
For “people who already have insurance, and the employers who are providing it,” he said at one campaign event, “we will work to lower your premiums by up to $2,500 per family.”
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: That’s Nancy with the laughin’ face
Let's hope the GOP don't cut
Let's hope the GOP don't cut workers comp insurance next
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/republicans-poised-to-roll-back-...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: _________
The word "Trump" really doesn
The word "Trump" really doesn't belong in the middle of Welcome and Care <<<<
Spot ON Mike !
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Sideshow Bob
I'm enjoying that it's
I'm enjoying that it's following precedent & already being called Trumpcare, thus, when it's a far worse failure than Obamacare, the name will have already stuck . . .
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: That’s Nancy with the laughin’ face
If the GOP Congress had to
If the GOP Congress had to purchase the same plans as the rest of us you know it would be a way better proposal. But the reality is that they don't give a damn about anyone but themselves.
their plan also includes defunding planned parenthood and putting access to women's healthcare in jeopardy.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: The Sound of Steam and Caffeine
Don't forget the $1B gift to
Don't forget the $1B gift to the insurance industry:
http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/health-insurance-companies-woul...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: El Nino
J. Mario Molina, chief
J. Mario Molina, chief executive of Molina Healthcare Inc., a major managed-Medicaid company that also offers ACA plans in nine states, said he believes that striking the coverage mandate penalties could help push individual-plan premiums up by 30% or more next year—and more in the future, when the reduced subsidies kick in. That shift, he estimated, could shrink enrollment in ACA plans by three-quarters or more, leaving a smaller, less-healthy group of enrollees. “You’re going to see big rate increases, and you’re going to see insurers exit markets...this is going to destabilize the marketplace,” he said
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: El Nino
So their goal was simple: do
So their goal was simple: do what they could to destroy Obamacare and take away as much health coverage as they could, without making it look like they weren't offering a replacement. The result is a plan that offers the trappings of health care—subsidies, pre-existing conditions, etc.—but which is all but useless to the people who actually need it. It's too stingy for poor people, and mostly unnecessary for middle-class folks who already get health insurance from their employers. It will cost very little because virtually nobody will use it.
The part they apparently didn't realize is that keeping the pre-existing conditions clause—which is both popular and impossible to repeal—while tearing down the rest of Obamacare is likely to destroy the individual insurance market.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Eddie
You really shouldn't put
You really shouldn't put Trump and care in the same sentence.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Sideshow Bob
BWAAAA HAAAA HAAAAAA - This
BWAAAA HAAAA HAAAAAA - This shit practically Writes itself - now "John Q Public" wants to keep Obamacare, before the election he overwhelmingly wanted to Ditch it. Karma's a real Bitch:
http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/obamacare-creators-tell-gop-we-...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: cb
Mr. President: Here's your
Mr. President: Here's your solution.
Remove "65 and older" line from Medicare law.
Done.
Everyone's covered.
- Bob Cesca
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Sideshow Bob
The harsh reality is that
The harsh reality is that nothing will work w/o the "individual mandate" penalty. Young folks are gonna hafta prop up their Sick elders . . .
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Hitchhiker awaiting "true call"
Don't you mean they have to
Don't you mean they have to prop up the employees in the industry? The doctors, staff, admin, researchers and everyone that
chooses a new career in that industry?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Sideshow Bob
Well of course, this is
Well of course, this is 'Merica after all.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Sideshow Bob
Every time you pump gas you
Every time you pump gas you paid my salary/benefits/pension. If that don't make you wanna ride a bike/take a bus/buy an electric car, nothing will . . .
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Johnny D
"The White House says don't
"The White House says don't call it "Trumpcare." Critics are labeling it "Ryancare" and "Obamacare lite." Hospitals hate it and insurers are pushing the panic button.
The House GOP bill to repeal Obamacare is quickly becoming a bill that nobody wants to own..."
http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/09/politics/obamacare-republicans-trumpcare-r...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: ________
may not even pass
may not even pass
fascinating times
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Thumbkinetic
So crappy even Trump doesn't
So crappy even Trump doesn't want his name on it?
Telling.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: gypsy tailwind
Paul Ryan Fundraised With
Paul Ryan Fundraised With Health Insurance Lobbying Firm Just Before His PowerPoint
JUST HOURS BEFORE House Speaker Paul Ryan held a press conference to sell his health care overhaul legislation — using a PowerPoint presentation mocked for misrepresenting basic facts — he was doing something he’s much better at: fundraising.
The two things were related. The Thursday morning breakfast fundraiser he attended was hosted by a lobbying firm working to unwind the Affordable Care Act on behalf of health insurance company Blue Cross Blue Shield, one of the big winners of Ryan’s proposed legislation.
https://theintercept.com/2017/03/09/paul-ryan-fundraised-with-health-ins...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Johnny D
You know that Trump and the
You know that Trump and the pro-Trumpcare GOP are worried what people will find out from the CBO when they pull off shit like this:
"White House Casts Pre-emptive Doubt on Congressional Budget Office"
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/09/us/politics/cbo-congressional-budget-...
Why would any reasonable person want additional (less partial) research, analysis, and reports regarding the possible fiscal impact of a major plan before voting on it?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Lucky Day
If there is one thing Ryans
If there is one thing Ryans presentation really showed it is that the best thing for every citizen would to be in one large pool ie a Single Payer system. It just wouldn't be good for insurance companies.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: jeff
Paul Ryan's adams apple goes
Paul Ryan's adams apple goes up and down when he lies. About a lot of up and downs lately.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: good at drinking water
https://www.wsj.com/articles
https://www.wsj.com/articles/gop-health-plan-would-hit-rural-areas-hard-...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Briank
The fact is, the ACA opened
The fact is, the ACA opened the flood-gates to insurance. It is far from perfect and has some major flaws, but it got the ball rolling. Millions would lose insurance under Trumpcare, and for millions more they would lose 75% of their subsidies. Costs will also increase.
The Reps are going to push through something, and it is going to piss off their own voter-base. Single-payer is going to happen. Those flood-gates aren't going to shut, and the only viable solution, that increases care and decreases costs, is universal.
Ryan is an idiot. He says that choice in health care is the American Way. The reality is that universal health care should be the American Way.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: _
...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: cb
14 million more people will
14 million more people will be uninsured by next year.
24 million more by 2026.
If you're rich, you'll get a huge tax break.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Sideshow Bob
He's as funny as SNL wishes
He's as funny as SNL wishes it could be:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ifi9M7DRazI
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Oaksterdam Dan
Republicans sucking the DEATH
Republicans sucking the DEATH PANEL's cock now!
24 million people FUCK YOU! Your lives aren't worth the tax on the richest 2% of American's!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: intentionally blank
Call your representatives in
Call your representatives in Congress. I just got off the phone with Kevin McCarthy's office letting him know that I'm concerned about the CBO's estimates of 24 million losing coverage and Trump's promise from January about more people covered for less.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Alias
If the GOP is smart, they
If the GOP is smart, they will push a "fix it bill" that accomplishes some of their goals and then blame all the bad effects on Obama.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: gypsy tailwind
They'll probably push that it
They'll probably push that it's a "3 Stage Plan" and try to polish the turd...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: El Nino
That is the problem with most
That is the problem with most of the Republican agenda. It eventually runs into reality.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: intentionally blank
Which likely explains Trump's
Which likely explains Trump's comment today that letting Obamacare implode is an option.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: El Nino
Wall Street Journal finds
Wall Street Journal finds that, in one Nebraska county, a 62-year-old who earns $18,000 a year, who currently pays $760 a year for insurance, would have to pay $20,000 a year under the Republican plan.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: aiq
25 million kicked off and 600
25 million kicked off and 600 billion in tax cuts for the richest 3% and corps.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Briank
Jesus, even Tucker Carlson
Jesus, even Tucker Carlson called Ryan out on it for being a tax cut for the rich. If it's that transparent...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Oaksterdam Dan
From Medicaid to Deathicaid
From Medicaid to Deathicaid thanks GOP
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: ltk173
Zoners debating healthcare.
Zoners debating healthcare.......
How many here have any experience actually working in healthcare in any capacity......lol
It is amusing to see Ryan on full display for who is really is.
Child: Can you read me a bedtime story.
Ryan: Atlas Shrugged, Chapter One.........
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Oaksterdam Dan
I've worked for a medical
I started working for a medical software company (Mediqual Systems, Inc.) during high school. Until the consultants laid us off. Think office space! They made "Quality Assurance" software. United Healthcare (medicare and small business) and managed benefits while at Fidelity Investment (401k & pension).
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: smiley
<<<Mr. President: Here's your
<<<Mr. President: Here's your solution.
Remove "65 and older" line from Medicare law.
Done.
Everyone's covered.
- Bob Cesca
Bob is really fighting the good fight.
I grew up with him. His dad was my t-ball and soccer coach. His brother was my best friend until I moved away in 5th grade. Their house burned down twice (gas explosion from main one time, electrical fire another) when we were little and I remember giving a bunch of my toys to them...twice. He has always been extremely passionate. Great artist too.
Bob is relentless these days. Love his Twitter feed.
https://mobile.twitter.com/bobcesca_go
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Briank
<<Zoners debating healthcare.
<<Zoners debating healthcare.......
How many here have any experience actually working in healthcare in any capacity......lol
What, we can't debate something that affects all of us?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: cb
Vote cancelled.
Vote cancelled.
They don't have enough votes to pass it.
Another Trump failure.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: That’s Nancy with the laughin’ face
They need to get the far
Trump/Ryan need to get the far right votes in Congress, so now they've watered down Trumpcare so much that the next vote will be to Repeal Obamacare, and essentially replace it with NOTHING. The Emperor's New Healthplan. Preexisting condition coverage - GONE. Well care (including mammograms) GONE. Maternity coverage GONE. And so on. The GOP will get the votes they need because..COMPASSION!!!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: (~)};)StealYourFace
Spicer press conference
Spicer press conference translation: Trump ready to throw Ryan under the bus...
Governing is tuff waaaaaaah
and
stop being so negative
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: good at drinking water
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...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: intentionally blank
Paul Ryan Rushes to White
Paul Ryan Rushes to White House to Tell Trump Votes Are Lacking to Repeal Obamacare
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/24/us/politics/health-care-affordable-ca...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: good at drinking water
...
...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: (~)};)StealYourFace
Paul Ryan Rushes to White
Paul Ryan Rushes to White House to Tell Trump Votes Are Lacking to Repeal Obamacare
Ryan needs to work on his cardio if he wants to beat Devin Nunes...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: That’s Nancy with the laughin’ face
Rand Paul and the far right
Rand Paul and the far right will only vote for full repeal, with no replacement. Because 'compassion.'
Trump wasn't able to close the deal. I'm afraid he might drop some bombs in an angry tantrum, and not just on twitter.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: good at drinking water
https://twitter.com/costareports/status/845357678390104066
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: _
A new conservative fantasy
A new conservative fantasy emerges: eight years of government gridlock.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: intentionally blank
They pulled the bill and it's
They pulled the bill and it's not even going to be voted on. Trump's in DC this weekend while Ivanka and Jared are in Aspen. It should be an interesting weekend at the White House. I wouldn't be surprised if Reince Preibus gets let go after this debacle.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: MeditateontheQ
Ivanka's not there to soothe
Ivanka's not there to soothe his feeble mind? What a mess.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Briank
Trump is learning all about
Trump is learning all about politics on this one. The 17% approval rating means that nobody wants to vote "yes" on it.
I'm guessing that this is the plan that most Republican voters want:
- No pre-existing conditions
- Low deductibles
- Very, very affordable for everyone
- No mandate to buy anything
And that, fellow Zoners, is single-payer!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: cb
Two Muslim bans and Trumpcare
Two Muslim bans and Trumpcare.
0 for 3
Tired of winning yet Trumpster?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Sigmund
To its Bwahahacare!!!
Today its Bwahahacare!!!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Back to Back
Ahahahahah
Ahahahahah
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: skyjunk
1-3 shuffle he passed the
1-3 shuffle he passed the bill that allows crazy people to buy guns again. Totally makes sense in stopping terror attacks
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: That’s Nancy with the laughin’ face
It would be fitting if a
It would be fitting if a crazy person purchased a gun with the purpose of teaching Donald why it's a terrible idea. Terrible for Donald, that is.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: That’s Nancy with the laughin’ face
>
WASHINGTON —
Dear Donald,
We've known each other a long time, so I think I can be blunt.
You know how you said at campaign rallies that you did not like being identified as a politician?
Don't worry. No one will ever mistake you for a politician.
After this past week, they won't even mistake you for a top-notch negotiator.
I was born here. The first image in my memory bank is the Capitol, all lit up at night. And my primary observation about Washington is this: Unless you're careful, you end up turning into what you started out scorning.
And you, Donald, are getting a reputation as a sucker. And worse, a sucker who is a tool of the D.C. establishment.
Your whole campaign was mocking your rivals and the D.C. elite, jawing about how Americans had turned into losers, with our bad deals and open borders and the Obamacare "disaster.
And you were going to fly in on your gilded plane and fix all that in a snap.
You mused that a good role model would be Ronald Reagan. As you saw it, Reagan was a big, good-looking guy with a famous pompadour; he had also been a Democrat and an entertainer. But Reagan had one key quality that you don't have: He knew what he didn't know.
You both resembled Macy's Thanksgiving Day balloons, floating above the nitty-gritty and focusing on a few big thoughts. But President Reagan was confident enough to accept that he needed experts below, deftly maneuvering the strings.
You're just careering around on your own, crashing into buildings and losing altitude, growling at the cameras and spewing nasty conspiracy theories, instead of offering a sunny smile, bipartisanship, optimism and professionalism.
You promised to get the best people around you in the White House, the best of the best. In fact, "best" is one of your favorite words.
Instead, you dragged that motley skeleton crew into the White House and let them create a feuding, leaking, belligerent, conspiratorial, sycophantic atmosphere. Instead of a smooth, classy operator like James Baker, you have a Manichaean anarchist in Steve Bannon.
You knew the Republicans were full of hot air. They haven't had to pass anything in a long time, and they have no aptitude for governing. To paraphrase an old Barney Frank line, asking the Republicans to govern is like asking Frank to judge the Miss America contest — "If your heart's not in it, you don't do a very good job."
You knew that Paul Ryan's vaunted reputation as a policy wonk was fake news. Republicans have been running on repealing and replacing Obamacare for years and they never even bothered to come up with a valid alternative.
And neither did you, despite all your promises to replace Obamacare with "something terrific" because you wanted everyone to be covered.
Instead, you sold the D.O.A. bill the Irish undertaker gave you as though it were a luxury condo, ignoring the fact that it was a cruel flimflam, a huge tax cut for the rich disguised as a health care bill.
You were so concerned with the "win" that you forgot your "forgotten" Americans, the older, poorer people in rural areas who would be hurt by the bill.
As The Times's chief Washington correspondent Carl Hulse put it, the G.O.P. falls into clover with a lock on the White House and both houses of Congress, and what's the first thing it does? Slip on a banana peel. Incompetence Inc.
"They tried to sweeten the deal at the end by offering a more expensive bill with fewer health benefits, but alas, it wasn't enough!" former Obama speechwriter Jon Favreau slyly tweeted.
Despite the best efforts of Bannon to act as though the whole fiasco was a clever way to bury Ryan — a man he disdains as "the embodiment of the 'globalist-corporatist' Republican elite," as Gabriel Sherman put it in New York magazine — it won't work.
And you can jump on the phone with The Times's Maggie Haberman and The Washington Post's Robert Costa — ignoring that you've labeled them the "fake media" — and act like you're in control.
You can say that people should have waited for "Phase 2" and "Phase 3" — whatever they would have been — and that Obamacare is going to explode and that the Democrats are going to get the blame. But it doesn't work that way.
You own it now.
You're all about flashy marketing so you didn't notice that the bill was junk, so lame that even Republicans skittered away.
You were humiliated right out of the chute by the establishment guys who hooked you into their agenda — a massive transfer of wealth to rich people — and drew you away from your own.
You sold yourself as the businessman who could shake things up and make Washington work again.
Instead, you got worked over by the Republican leadership and the business community, who set you up to do their bidding.
That's why they're putting up with all your craziness about Russia and wiretapping and unending lies and rattling our allies.
They're counting on you being a delusional dupe who didn't even know what was in the bill because you're sitting around in a bathrobe getting your information from wackadoodles on Fox News and then, as The Post reported, peppering aides with the query, "Is this really a good bill?"
You got played.
It took W. years to smash everything. You're way ahead of schedule.
And I can say you're doing badly, because I'm a columnist, and you're not.
Say hello to doing everybody, O.K.?
Sincerely, Maureen
This column by Maureen Dowd appeared in the New York Times on Sunday, March 25, 2017.
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March 25, 2017