About the Republican Health Care Crises . . .

[Seymour Flops]

Does my location not show?

Ah, yes. New Zealand. I'm sure it is wonderful living there.

The U.S. provides military protection and foreign aid to that region.

New Zealand also wisely severely restricts immigration (compared to the United States). Less than two percent of your population is Latin-American, African, or Middle Eastern. The overwhelming majority is white, and what foreigners you do have are mainly Asian.

So . . . all this country needs to do is restrict immigration until our demographics resemble yours, find a huge superpower to protect us (instead of us protecting everyone else), so our military expenses are sharply reduced, and only allow skilled Asians to immigrate.

After several decades, we will also be able to afford universal healthcare so that our citizens can enjoy often-fatal wait times, also:

How are you guys on offering ethical suicide to people who are suffering on waiting lists?

 

[Anathema]

The reality is that anyone, even if one takes every preventative measure, can incur enormous medical expenses resulting in bankruptcy, unless affordable, comprehensive, health insurance is available.

That’s just a fact of life. Shit happens; to the poor, the rich, the good and bad alike. It has since the beginning of time and I tend to believe it will continue until the end of time.

Thst doesn’t make it the Government’s place to stick their nose in and assist people or force them to have medical insurance.

 

[DGS49]

The (Un)Affordable Care Act was intended to fail. It was certain to make health insurance premiums explode, as it brought people with expensive conditions into the same risk pool as healthy people, which had never been done before. It placed no constraints on insurers, and to make it even worse, the government subsidized premiums, then it (a Democrat Congress) doubled down on it during Covid.

Its purpose was to get Americans so pissed off at Insurance Companies that they demanded "single payer," or some other form of "soft" socialist "solution."

One would have thought it would be successful by this time, with masses of people demanding, "Medicare for ALL," or some such nonsense, but that has not occurred.

So now, Democrats are frantic to get the subsidies extended, at least through the mid-terms, so the the Republicans cannot use the issue against them. The people know which party brought them the (Un)Affordable Care Act, after all.

 

[schmidlap]

That’s just a fact of life. Shit happens; to the poor, the rich, the good and bad alike. It has since the beginning of time and I tend to believe it will continue until the end of time.

Thst doesn’t make it the Government’s place to stick their nose in and assist people or force them to have medical insurance.

In an elective democracy, the will of the People cannot be ignored by ideologues without political consequences.

... marketplace enrollees — most of whom say they would be directly impacted by the subsidies expiring — overwhelmingly support an extension. The survey found this group is more likely to blame Trump and Republicans in Congress than Democrats if the tax credits are left to expire.​

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The expiration of the tax credits — which a separate KFF analysis found will more than double monthly payments for the average subsidized enrollee — comes as Americans are already overwhelmed by high health expenses, the poll shows.​

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About 6 in 10 Affordable Care Act enrollees find it “somewhat” or “very” difficult to afford out-of-pocket costs for medical care, such as deductibles and copays. That exceeds the roughly half of enrollees who find it challenging to afford health insurance premiums. Most also say they could not afford a $300 per year increase in their health insurance costs without significantly disrupting their household finances.​

ACA Marketplace Premium Payments Would More than Double on Average Next Year if Enhanced Premium Tax Credits Expire | KFF

KFF estimates that, if Congress does not extend the enhanced premium tax credits, ACA Marketplace enrollees on average would see their premium payments more than double in 2026, growing by 114%, from an average of $888 in 2025 to $1,904 in 2026.

www.kff.org

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TRUMP REPEATEDLY ASSURED AMERICANS THAT HE WOULD​

LEGISLATE A HEALTH CARE PLAN THAT WOULD COVER​

EVERYBODY AT LOWER COST​

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House Republicans -- led by Speaker Mike Johnson -- unveiled Friday a narrow health care package. to address rising costs, but the plan does not extend the expiring enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies​

MSN

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[Anathema]

In an elective democracy, the will of the People cannot be ignored by ideologues without political consequences.

In a Constitutional Republic the will of the people is limited by the restrictions on the Government imposed by the Constitution. If the public wishes to change the Constitution there is a means for that.

However, until that amendment process is undertaken there is still absolutely ZERO power to legislate or spend monies on medical care, medicine, insurance, or anything of the sort under Article I, section 8 of the Constitution.

 

[Woodznutz]

Perhaps someone should explain why healthcare costs are so high. We can't fix a problem if we don't know what it is.

 

[schmidlap]

In a Constitutional Republic the will of the people is limited by the restrictions on the Government imposed by the Constitution. If the public wishes to change the Constitution there is a means for that.

However, until that amendment process is undertaken there is still absolutely ZERO power to legislate or spend monies on medical care, medicine, insurance, or anything of the sort under Article I, section 8 of the Constitution.

Obviously, there is no Constitutional impediment to the popular ACA ('ObamaCare').

TrumpCare that has been touted for years as covering everybody at lower cos has not yet offered specifics to be judged regarding its compliance with the Constituion.

 

[Seymour Flops]

Perhaps someone should explain why healthcare costs are so high. We can't fix a problem if we don't know what it is.

My theory is best illustrated by comparing healthcare to cars/personal transportation.

In the U.S., personal transportation is made "affordable" due to the wide range of choices in prices. One can choose to drive a top-end Mercedes, or one can choose to drive a serviceable used car that may not have a working a/c and may be long past needing new shocks, but will take you where you need to go. If even that is priced too high for one's budget, then one can take the bus.

The problem with making such choices in healthcare is that everyone not only wants, but feels entitled to, the top-end Mercedes option. Obviously, I would love for all Americans do drive a Mercedes to heathcare appointments with the finest facilities, doctors, and equipment. But that gets expensive. That's why America pay more for healthcare than any other country.

The solution in UHC countries is that yes, everyone gets the top-end of what is offered, but the top end of what is offered is more like the pre-owned Ford Focus, and you have to wait a long time to get it. In openly socialist countries, everyone gets the bus option, with even longer waits.

Except . . . wealthy businessfolk and government officials. Under UHC or open socialism, they of course get the Mercedes option still. But only because of their vital importance to the national well-being. And because they make the rules.

 

[Seymour Flops]

TrumpCare that has been touted for years as covering everybody at lower cos

Could you link some examples of "TrumpCare" being touted?

Not paraphrases, but quotes.

 

[Anathema]

Obviously, there is no Constitutional impediment to the popular ACA ('ObamaCare').

TrumpCare that has been touted for years as covering everybody at lower cos has not yet offered specifics to be judged regarding its compliance with the Constituion.

Yes there US a Constitutional impediment to the ACA, Nedicare, Nexucaid, etc… unfortunately our SCOTUS fails to act appropriately when these issues are brought up as much as our legislators fail to act Constitutionally when they vote and our POTUS’ refuse to act Constitutionally when they sign legislation.

We’ve been in an extra-constitutional state since 1861, and it gets worse every year.

 

[schmidlap]

Yes there US a Constitutional impediment to the ACA, Nedicare, Nexucaid, etc… unfortunately our SCOTUS fails to act appropriately when these issues are brought up as much as our legislators fail to act Constitutionally when they vote and our POTUS’ refuse to act Constitutionally when they sign legislation.

We’ve been in an extra-constitutional state since 1861, and it gets worse every year.

I shall respect SCOTUS rulings over yours.

 

[Anathema]

I shall respect SCOTUS rulings over yours.

Then you shall end up on my ignore list, permanently. If you can’t read the eight pages of the US Constitution and realize how much of our Government is illegal, immoral and unconstitutional, we have nothing further to discuss on this or any topic.

 

[schmidlap]

Could you link some examples of "TrumpCare" being touted?

Not paraphrases, but quotes.

Modesty might have prevented President Obama ever calling the ACA 'ObamaCare' or Trump using an eponymous nomenclature, but both, obviously, promoted their respective plans.​

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Ever since he was a presidential candidate, Trump has been promising the American people a “terrific,” “phenomenal” and “fantastic” new health care plan to replace the Affordable Care Act. Here is jut one citation from 2020. There are many, many more:​

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August 13, 2020​

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In his early days on the campaign trail, circa 2015, he said on CNN he would repeal Obamacare and replace it with “something terrific,” and on Sean Hannity’s radio show he said the replacement would be “something great.” Fast-forward to 2020. Trump has promised an Obamacare replacement plan five times so far this year. And the plan is always said to be just a few weeks away...​

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This record is by no means a comprehensive list, but here are some of the many instances when Trump promised a new health plan was coming soon...​

Back to the Future: Trump’s History of Promising a Health Plan That Never Comes - KFF Health News

Even before he was elected, the president talked about a plan that would be released soon. Now he is saying the end of August.

kffhealthnews.org

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[schmidlap]

Then you shall end up on my ignore list, permanently. If you can’t read the eight pages of the US Constitution and realize how much of our Government is illegal, immoral and unconstitutional, we have nothing further to discuss on this or any topic.

Really, although I don't applaud every Supreme Court decision, I understand that it is the final arbiter in matters involving Constitutionality under the Constitution. You apparently believe that you are. I regard that peculiar proclivity as harmless. I would not even care if you pounded a little gavel every time you overruled the SCOTUS.

More pertinent is the imminent huge cost increase of the ACA under Trump, even as he talks "affordability," after many years of proclaiming his "terrific!" healthcare plan that covers "everybody!" at "less cost!" Why is he hiding now?

Picture the fraud furtively fleeing in his golf cart, with a posse of the disgruntle denizens of The Villages in hot pursuit!

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...The sticker shock will directly affect the tens of millions of Americans who take advantage of the subsidies. Most of them live in Republican-held congressional districts.​

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KFF has estimated that the expiration of the subsidies would more than double, on average, what people are paying annually. More than 4 million people would be likely to lose their health insurance entirely over the next decade, according to estimates from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.​

Florida will be hit harder than any other state if ObamaCare subsidies expire at the end of the year, which is looking increasingly likely as Republicans in Congress struggle to unite behind a plan to extend the tax credits. ​

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More than 1.5 million Floridians could lose healthcare as monthly payments skyrocket. Average premium costs could shoot up by 132 percent, or by $521 annually, for Floridians who currently receive enhanced ObamaCare subsidies, according to the Center for American Progress. ​

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Florida leads the country in the number of individuals enrolled in an Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace plan, with one out of five Floridians, or 4.7 million people, benefitting from subsidized health insurance, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on health policy.​

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The Sunshine State’s relatively large number of small business owners and hospitality workers account for the particularly high reliance on ACA plans, said Erica Li, a health policy analyst at Florida Policy Institute.​

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5640956-rising-healthcare-costs-florida-obamacare-subsidies/

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Wouldn't NOW be a great time for the blowhard to finally reveal his long-touted 'TrumpCare' that covers "everybody" at "less cost"?

 

[schmidlap]

Could you link some examples of "TrumpCare" being touted?

Not paraphrases, but quotes.

I cited several instances of Trump's touting his "terrific" plan, that is nowhere to be found now that it is desperately needed.

To the point, please tell me what Trump and Congressional Republicans are doing now to prevent millions of Americans suddenly being confronted with enormous premium increases.

... uncertainty is creating political anxiety within Trump’s own party, particularly as the 2026 midterms approach. Roughly 40 percent of ACA enrollees identify as Republican, and recent polling shows broad bipartisan support — including among GOP voters — for extending the subsidies.​

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“Allowing these tax credits to lapse without a clear path forward would risk real harm to those we represent,” said Republican Virginia Rep. Jen Kiggans in a letter last month to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson.​

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‘It’s Bad!’: Trump Tries to Unleash a Brutal New Slur — Then a Serious Question Hits, He Short-Circuits, and the Moment Turns Shocking

"President Trump's latest outburst sparks a shocking moment in the Oval Office. Find out what made him short-circuit. #Trump #shocking #n...

atlantablackstar.com

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[Seymour Flops]

To the point, please tell me what Trump and Congressional Republicans are doing now to prevent millions of Americans suddenly being confronted with enormous premium increases.

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Avoiding such hyperbole, for one thing.

Also trying to negotiate in good faith with Democrats and "not Democrats" who prefer to throw tantrums rather than help the American people.

 

[schmidlap]

Avoiding such hyperbole, for one thing.

Also trying to negotiate in good faith with Democrats and "not Democrats" who prefer to throw tantrums rather than help the American people.

So, your circumlocutions aside, Republicans - controlling the executive, the senate, and the house - after years of insisting they would offer a plan superior to the increasingly popular ACA, are about to do nothing to prevent health insurance premiums from becoming far more expensive for millions of Americans who will register their response in November, 2026.

What ever happened to Trump's whizbang replacement for the ACA?

"No one will lose coverage." "There will be insurance for everybody." Healthcare will be a “lot less expensive” for everyone — ​

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Trump and his advisers have been talking about an Obamacare repeal and replacement plan, and making blanket statements about what it would entail, for nearly two years. ​

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[Seymour Flops]

So, your circumlocutions aside, Republicans - controlling the executive, the senate, and the house - after years of insisting they would offer a plan superior to the increasingly popular ACA, are about to do nothing to prevent health insurance premiums from becoming far more expensive for millions of Americans who will register their response in November, 2026.

What ever happened to Trump's whizbang replacement for the ACA?

"No one will lose coverage." "There will be insurance for everybody." Healthcare will be a “lot less expensive” for everyone — ​

​

View attachment 1194189​

Trump and his advisers have been talking about an Obamacare repeal and replacement plan, and making blanket statements about what it would entail, for nearly two years. ​

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Typical premiums will be going up from fifty dollars to a hundred and seven dollars under the Democrats' law for the supplemental subsidies to expire at the end of December.

The only people who will be getting sizable increases are the millionaires, and billionaires who should have never been subsidized in the first place.

 

[schmidlap]

Typical premiums will be going up from fifty dollars to a hundred and seven dollars under the Democrats' law for the supplemental subsidies to expire at the end of December.

The only people who will be getting sizable increases are the millionaires, and billionaires who should have never been subsidized in the first place.

Farting past the graveyard.

Whenever did Republicans offer a plan to means-test the ACA?

If Republicans refuse to address the needs of their constituents, their constituents will vote accordingly next November.

According to a KFF poll released in December, about half of current enrollees who are registered to vote said that if their overall health care expenses — copays, deductibles, and premiums — increased by $1,000 next year, it would have a "major impact" on whether they vote in next year's midterm elections or which party's candidate they support.​

 

[Seymour Flops]

Farting past the graveyard.

Whenever did Republicans offer a plan to means-test the ACA?

The ACA is not set to expire. Neither are ACA subsidies. Only the temporary COVID supplement to the subsidies. Democrats set them to expire at the end of this year.

Is that what you meant to ask about?