GOP tensions rise over Cruz proposal

[corbe]

GOP tensions rise over Cruz proposal

 By Alexander Bolton - 07/06/17 06:00 AM EDT

Tensions between Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and his old antagonist, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), have reappeared in the high-stakes negotiation over healthcare reform.

Cruz is insisting on a reform to the Senate GOP bill that senior GOP aides say is a nonstarter with much — if not most — of the Republican conference.

While Cruz sought out Health Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) to play what he promised would be a constructive role in the debate, senior GOP aides say Cruz is no longer being agreeable.

Instead, he is again being a thorn in McConnell’s side, much like he was in 2013, when he insisted on blocking a government spending bill unless it included language halting the implementation of ObamaCare, the staffers argue. Two years ago, Cruz famously called McConnell a liar on the Senate floor amid a debate on the Export-Import Bank.
GOP aides say the proposal that Cruz and his allies are framing as the potential key to passing the stalled healthcare bill is a nonstarter with most Republicans in the upper chamber.

The proposal would allow insurance companies the freedom to sell any kinds of health plans they want as long as they also sell at least one plan that qualifies under the regulatory requirements of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

“I would say that if we voted on the Cruz proposal, it would be in the neighborhood of 37 to 15 against, 37 no votes and 15 yeses, and that’s probably generous,” said a GOP aide familiar with the Senate negotiations.

“Nobody wants to go home and say to a 45-year-old steelworker with diabetes that you should have to pay a lot more for your health insurance,” the aide added.

Frustrations are mounting with Cruz among Senate negotiators because leaders have felt blindsided by his demand that the legislation essentially eliminate the protection for people with pre-existing conditions.

When McConnell told GOP colleagues at a presentation this spring that the bill would not touch pre-existing conditions, Cruz did not specifically object.

“What he would say is we need to go after all insurance rules, as many as we can,” said a Republican source familiar with the meeting.

A conservative Republican aide acknowledged that Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) was more outspoken in his objection to the refusal by leaders to touch pre-existing conditions, while Cruz’s position was left murky.

GOP leaders thought Cruz would be on board if the legislation tackled other regulations, such as rules for what services insurers must provide as essential health benefits, which the public Senate bill addresses. Cruz’s insistence, according to GOP aides, in recent weeks that the Senate bill scrap the regulations governing pre-existing conditions is a shift that has made their job more difficult. 

These claims are getting strong pushback from Cruz defenders.

Aides siding with the Texas Republican say he made it clear to leaders from the start that the Senate bill should give people the freedom to buy cheaper health plans that are exempt from federal regulation.

“From day one of the Senate discussions, in a working group that Sen. Cruz started with Chairman Alexander, consumer freedom has been one of Cruz’s major points. The idea that this is sprouting at the last minute is inaccurate,” said a senior conservative Republican aide.

The Hill reported Monday that Senate GOP leaders have sent two versions of a revised healthcare bill to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), one with the Cruz amendment and one without it.

Republican aides who say Cruz’s amendment is politically untenable acknowledge that the CBO could report some good news, like that the proposal would send down premiums without significantly affecting coverage.

But they think it’s more likely that the CBO analysis will be damning.

“Or CBO will come back and say the market will be destroyed and 45 million people will be left without insurance,” said one staffer. 

Conservatives close to Cruz admit the CBO score will be better for the revised bill that does not include Cruz’s amendment because that version includes a market stabilization fund without including any of the regulatory reforms that would destabilize — at least temporarily — the market.

<..snip..>

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/340765-gop-tensions-rise-over-cruz-proposal

[corbe]

   You're to much of a Man to be effective in that 'good ol boys club' Sen. Cruz, talk to your buddy Sen. Lee and consider the Federalist or Constitution Party.
    Ain't much daylight left to burn.

[Bigun]

The problem here is that the GOP elites have figured out that the Cruz amendment actually would end Obamacare over time and they DO NOT approve!

[libertybele]

   You're to much of a Man to be effective in that 'good ol boys club' Sen. Cruz, talk to your buddy Sen. Lee and consider the Federalist or Constitution Party.
    Ain't much daylight left to burn.

   He has about as much support from his own party as President Trump!  God forbid if we do what is right for the people.  As for the tension between he and McConnell ...well ... not much can be said for the liar.

[Ghost Bear]

“Nobody wants to go home and say to a 45-year-old steelworker with diabetes that you should have to pay a lot more for your health insurance,” the aide added.

I'm a 53-year-old computer worker with diabetes, and I'll say right here that the GOP "Leadership's" refusal to vote on a plain repeal has made me absolutely furious.  My health care costs have done nothing but go up since Obamacare was put into place.  I'm already at the point of being willing to campaign for anyone who runs against Sen. Cornyn... well, not the Democrat, but anyone who runs against him in the primary. Unfortunately he's not up for re-election until 2020. 

[txradioguy]

The problem here is that the GOP elites have figured out that the Cruz amendment actually would end Obamacare over time and they DO NOT approve!

Which spotlights the fact they lied about repealing it "root and branch"...with The Turtle at the top of the liars list.

[Applewood]

"Nobody wants to go home and say to a 45-year-old steelworker with diabetes that you should have to pay a lot more for your health insurance."

///

Why the hell not?  When I became disabled,  but before Medicare kicked in, I had to buy health insurance.  I was told Highmark BC/BS would insure me, but I would have to pay more for the coverage.  I thought it was only fair. 

Everyone wants something for nothing.  They don't care who pays for it as long as it isn't them.

[INVAR]

Which spotlights the fact they lied about repealing it "root and branch"...with The Turtle at the top of the liars list.

That was his biggest campaign slogan along with stopping "Obama's war on coal" - in which he did jack squat.

They are more than liars, and the GOP has proven itself more dangerous to liberty than the Democrats because they are statists/Democrats pretending to be an opposition party when they are simply an arm of an oligarchy Uniparty that exists to grow the government to tyrannical and oppressive levels because they think they can better manage Socialism than the Democrats can.

The GOP is as corrupt as the DNC. If Cruz and Lee do not want to be tainted as belonging to the party of Socialism-managed, they need to start looking to another party where they will not be sabotaged from their leadership.

[corbe]

   Tensions are rising on the other side also.

Schumer calls Cruz healthcare amendment a 'hoax'

 By Mallory Shelbourne  - 07/06/17 12:53 PM EDT

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Thursday called Sen. Ted Cruz's (R-Texas) amendment to the GOP healthcare plan “a hoax” that would increase the cost of healthcare.

“Make no mistake, the Cruz amendment is a hoax. Under the guise of lowering premiums, it makes healthcare more expensive because deductibles and copayments would be so onerous that many Americans would pay much more out of their pockets than they pay today,” Schumer said in a statement.

<..snip..>

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/340842-schumer-calls-cruz-healthcare-amendment-a-hoax

[Emjay]

   You're to much of a Man to be effective in that 'good ol boys club' Sen. Cruz, talk to your buddy Sen. Lee and consider the Federalist or Constitution Party.
    Ain't much daylight left to burn.

No ... not enough time.  Frustrating as it is, I'm not listening to that old fuddy duddy McConnell.  I'd like to put something slightly larger than a thorn in his side.

I've heard a different story about the reaction to Ted's amendment.

[rodamala]

All of this shit does nothing to reduce the cost of healthcare and improve the quality thereof.

Get the god-damned government out of the health insurance business and put in place measures that make actual care a consumer-based concern with healthcare providers actually competing for business... and not entitlement grants from the taxpayers.

Those that can not afford free market, reasonably-priced care need to find a way to take care of themselves.

In the end, everyone dies.  Some die earlier than others.  And that's that.

[skeeter]

“Nobody wants to go home and say to a 45-year-old steelworker with diabetes that you should have to pay a lot more for your health insurance,” the aide added.

This is what is so frustrating about the GOP - they have no interest in representing the rank & file.

Many have seen our premiums triple in the past five years & it was crickets from these establishment jerks. So they obviously aren't talking about us when they profess their deep concern.

[bilo]

The problem here is that the GOP elites have figured out that the Cruz amendment actually would end Obamacare over time and they DO NOT approve!

You are so right!

The Cruz amendment would convert obamacare into a high risk pool subsidized by the entire nation not just people with individual plans.

We will see what happens. If the Pubs snatch defeat from the jaws of victory they have no one to blame but themselves when they lose their majorities in the next couple elections. I don't see any way they keep their majority by being "socialism lite". Conservatives will stop supporting them. Populists will stop supporting them when Pres. Trump is done. Liberals will not support them when they can go with the Rats and get "the real thing".

The Pubs and nation are at a nexus. Do we go towards indivual liberty and smaller govt, or do we go towards the all encompassing nanny state?

[libertybele]

All of this shit does nothing to reduce the cost of healthcare and improve the quality thereof.

Get the god-damned government out of the health insurance business and put in place measures that make actual care a consumer-based concern with healthcare providers actually competing for business... and not entitlement grants from the taxpayers.

Those that can not afford free market, reasonably-priced care need to find a way to take care of themselves.

In the end, everyone dies.  Some die earlier than others.  And that's that.

While, I agree with you that the government needs to get out of the health insurance business and open up the free markets, I don't agree with you that Cruz's proposal does nothing to lower healthcare costs.

I hear your anger in your post, but there are those who are working their butts off and still can't afford medical care and what about those who are disabled or the elderly who are living on a limited budget and need medical care and prescription drugs; or would you propose that we just toss them aside because they are less fortunate?

IMHO ... no on seems to be addressing one of the key factors in the skyrocketing costs of health insurance:  ILLEGALS who receive benefits and haven't or don't pay into the system!

[Emjay]

  He has about as much support from his own party as President Trump!  God forbid if we do what is right for the people.  As for the tension between he and McConnell ...well ... not much can be said for the liar.

Understand the frustration @corbe but we need Cruz and Lee in the Senate now.  We all need to contact our Senators and support Cruz's amendment.

McConnell would argue if Cruz said the sky is blue.... he hates Cruz.  And he's ugly.

[bilo]

While, I agree with you that the government needs to get out of the health insurance business and open up the free markets, I don't agree with you that Cruz's proposal does nothing to lower healthcare costs.

I hear your anger in your post, but there are those who are working their butts off and still can't afford medical care and what about those who are disabled or the elderly who are living on a limited budget and need medical care and prescription drugs; or would you propose that we just toss them aside because they are less fortunate?

IMHO ... no on seems to be addressing one of the key factors in the skyrocketing costs of health insurance:  ILLEGALS who receive benefits and haven't or don't pay into the system!

This is what Medicaid was supposed to be for.

People can't afford insurance today because premiums tripled with obamacare.

[Emjay]

All of this shit does nothing to reduce the cost of healthcare and improve the quality thereof.

Get the god-damned government out of the health insurance business and put in place measures that make actual care a consumer-based concern with healthcare providers actually competing for business... and not entitlement grants from the taxpayers.

Those that can not afford free market, reasonably-priced care need to find a way to take care of themselves.

In the end, everyone dies.  Some die earlier than others.  And that's that.

Thanks for your reminder that everyone dies.  I'd forgotten.

We're not gonna get government out of the health care business at this particular point in time.

Cruz's amendment would make a bad bill better and palatable to a majority of the public.

[Smokin Joe]

   Tensions are rising on the other side also.

Schumer calls Cruz healthcare amendment a 'hoax'

 By Mallory Shelbourne  - 07/06/17 12:53 PM EDT

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Thursday called Sen. Ted Cruz's (R-Texas) amendment to the GOP healthcare plan “a hoax” that would increase the cost of healthcare.

“Make no mistake, the Cruz amendment is a hoax. Under the guise of lowering premiums, it makes healthcare more expensive because deductibles and copayments would be so onerous that many Americans would pay much more out of their pockets than they pay today,” Schumer said in a statement.

<..snip..>

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/340842-schumer-calls-cruz-healthcare-amendment-a-hoax

Well, that settles it for me.

If Schumer doesn't like it, it has to be good!

[Smokin Joe]

This is what Medicaid was supposed to be for.

People can't afford insurance today because premiums tripled with obamacare.

The problem with Medicaid if you are getting up there in years, at least in this state is that you have an asset cap. Here, if you have 10K worth of stuff, you are ineligible.

If your program survived, your premiums went up. Many policies did not qualify and 'just went away'.
For folks who had catastrophic (high deductible) coverage, the options were pay out the ass for the Cadillac plan, or go without and pay cash.

[Smokin Joe]

While, I agree with you that the government needs to get out of the health insurance business and open up the free markets, I don't agree with you that Cruz's proposal does nothing to lower healthcare costs.

I hear your anger in your post, but there are those who are working their butts off and still can't afford medical care and what about those who are disabled or the elderly who are living on a limited budget and need medical care and prescription drugs; or would you propose that we just toss them aside because they are less fortunate?

IMHO ... no on seems to be addressing one of the key factors in the skyrocketing costs of health insurance:  ILLEGALS who receive benefits and haven't or don't pay into the system!

As non-PC as it is, let's not forget the trillion dollar gorilla in the room.
"Pre-existing conditions" include the 1.3 million currently infected with HIV/AIDS, who are projected to cost over a trillion dollars for care in the next 25 years ($600,000 to $750,000 each patient). That number is going up as I type.
Then there is the Drug Treatment Industry, ripe for fraud, and aggressively advertising for healthcare dollars, like never before.
Both are problems that taxpayers will eventually pay for, but before we didn't pick up the tab for the insurance middlemen too.

[Sanguine]

The Hill writers don't like Cruz much.  Talk about smarmy and snarky.

[Smokin Joe]

“Nobody wants to go home and say to a 45-year-old steelworker with diabetes that you should have to pay a lot more for your health insurance,” the aide added.

This is what is so frustrating about the GOP - they have no interest in representing the rank & file.

Many have seen our premiums triple in the past five years & it was crickets from these establishment jerks. So they obviously aren't talking about us when they profess their deep concern.

Lest we forget:
One of the provisions of the ACA is that Congress and their staffs are excluded from the provisions of the act.

[bilo]

The problem with Medicaid if you are getting up there in years, at least in this state is that you have an asset cap. Here, if you have 10K worth of stuff, you are ineligible.

If your program survived, your premiums went up. Many policies did not qualify and 'just went away'.
For folks who had catastrophic (high deductible) coverage, the options were pay out the ass for the Cadillac plan, or go without and pay cash.

It may seem harsh, but why should someone with assets have their insurance, or nursing home/assisted living, paid for by the taxpayers. I don't mind helping those in need, but I've seen people move their parents estates into trusts so they can then have their nursing home paid for by medicaid.

obamacare destroyed my health coverage and most of the people who worked for me. I offered major medical to employees prior to obamacare. It was not all encompassing health insurance, but if something catastrophic happened they were covered. After obamacare I found Medi-Share, a Christian healthcare co-op, and have been very happy with it. I changed my business and dropped all employees, hiring some back as contractors and began investing outside the USA as well.

[Jazzhead]

The Cruz amendment would convert obamacare into a high risk pool subsidized by the entire nation not just people with individual plans.

Well, what's wrong with that?   By slicing off those with high risks,  the pool of insurables suddenly becomes healthier and premiums will plummet.   Under any health insurance regime, the healthy must subsidize the sick, but the burden placed on healthy individuals is lessened to the extent those with truly chronic and intractable conditions are placed in their own high risk pool.   And what is fairer than allocating the costs of coverage for those in the high risk pool among taxpayers generally?   

[Smokin Joe]

It may seem harsh, but why should someone with assets have their insurance, or nursing home/assisted living, paid for by the taxpayers. I don't mind helping those in need, but I've seen people move their parents estates into trusts so they can then have their nursing home paid for by medicaid.

obamacare destroyed my health coverage and most of the people who worked for me. I offered major medical to employees prior to obamacare. It was not all encompassing health insurance, but if something catastrophic happened they were covered. After obamacare I found Medi-Share, a Christian healthcare co-op, and have been very happy with it. I changed my business and dropped all employees, hiring some back as contractors and began investing outside the USA as well.

A decent vehicle can put you over, and here a junker can kill you (winter, subzero temps, lots of nothing out there).

With business, I have had a similar problem, but all my crew were contractors and wanted it that way. Not investing outside the US, yet, but I am interested in checking out Medi-Share. Do you have a link?