As It Turns Out, Republicans Don't Want Americans To Have Health Care After All
After months of blustering and bluffing, the Republicans have finally released their health care reform proposals. And while the legislation costs less than the Democratic plan, the Republicans failed to write any language that would ensure coverage for more Americans, ease the financial burden for families, or even prevent insurance companies from denying coverage to those with pre-existing conditions.
The GOP Legislation Has Not Gone Through A Democratic Process Of Approval
The Republican's Proposal Has Not Gone Through A Democratic Legislative Process. Ezra Klein of the Washington Post noted, "the Democratic bill has already been through three committees and a merger process. It's already been shown to interest groups and advocacy organizations and industry stakeholders. It's already made its compromises with reality. It's already been through the legislative sausage grinder. And yet it saves more money and covers more people than the blank-slate alternative proposed by John Boehner and the House Republicans. The Democrats, constrained by reality, produced a far better plan than Boehner, who was constrained solely by his political imagination and legislative skill." [Washington Post, 11/5/09]
Republicans Forgot To Write Legislation That Addressed Problem For Millions Of Americans
GOP Plan Costs $61 Billion And Leaves 52 Million Americans Uninsured. The Los Angeles Times reported the CBO put the cost of the Republican bill at $61 billion over ten years, "[b]ut the CBO analysis also concluded that under the GOP plan, 52 million nonelderly Americans would have no insurance in 2019 -- even more than the 50 million in 2010." [Los Angeles Times, 11/5/09]
- GOP Plan Only Offers Coverage To 3 Million More Americans Over Ten Years. According to the CBO: "By 2019, CBO and JCT estimate, the number of nonelderly people without health insurance would be reduced by about 3 million relative to current law, leaving about 52 million nonelderly residents uninsured." [CBO.gov, 11/4/09]
- GOP Plan Keeps Number Of Uninsured At Same Rate As Current System. The CBO also noted: "The share of nonelderly resident with insurance coverage in 2019 would be about 83 percent, roughly in line with the current share. CBO and JCT estimate that enacting the amendment's insurance coverage provisions would increase deficits by $8 billion over the 2010-2019 period." [CBO.gov, 11/4/09]
The Democratic Bill "Covers 12 Times As Many People And Saves $36 Billion More Than The Republican Plan." The Washington Post's Ezra Klein wrote: "According to CBO, the GOP's alternative will shave $68 billion off the deficit in the next 10 years. The Democrats, CBO says, will slice $104 billion off the deficit. The Democratic bill, in other words, covers 12 times as many people and saves $36 billion more than the Republican plan." [Washington Post, 11/5/09]
Republican Proposal Pays For "Reform" By Sacrificing Sick Americans
GOP Bill Allows Insurance Companies To Deny Americans Coverage For Pre-Existing Conditions. In his write up of the Republican bill's CBO score, Jonathan Cohn wrote, "under the Republican bills, the CBO notes, there will be enormous variation in rates between the sick and the healthy. Remember, unlike the Democrats, the Republicans--in their determination to avoid passing new regulations--wouldn't prohibit charging people more because they have pre-existing conditions or would otherwise represent greater-than-average health risks." [The New Republic, 11/5/09]
GOP Bill Increases Premiums For Sick Americans. Jonathan Cohn of The New Republic wrote, "yes, the Republican health care bill will lower premiums overall. But many people in poor health will see their premiums go up. And many people will get lower premiums only because they're getting inferior coverage. Meanwhile, more than 50 million people will have no insurance whatsoever." [The New Republic, 11/5/09]
