Not just the R's, though. The Dem/Media complex played a crucial role as well: the oppositional media coverage on the plan was just brutal -- well-organized and widely disseminated, with the usual poll-driven negative feedback loop. And then, of course, the R's themselves going for that sure-fire loser, the "all or nothing" legislation.
The post-mortem will show death by rushing, trying to do too much, and "my way or the highway" antics by the "Freedom Caucus," who can't be bothered to account for political realities.
I disagree, the "my way or the highway" antics were used by Trump, not the Freedom Caucus.
(1) He said it had to be done by Friday or they were moving on to Tax reform.
(2) He said he would "primary" anyone who voted against it.
The bill was watered-down Obamacare, and being against it was the right thing to do, no matter who proposed it or supported it.
Free market is the only way to make this work, like everything else.
Remove the government from it, entirely.