In 2009, Republicans were quick to point out the lies underpinning the passage of Obamacare:
1. "If you like your doctor, you will be able to keep your doctor, period." The truth was that Obamacare forced many doctors out of plans.
2. "If you like your healthcare plan, you'll be able to keep your health care plan, period." Truth was that many insurance companies cancelled plans.
3. "We’re going to lower your premiums by up to $2500 per family per year." Truth was that many Americans saw their insurance premiums and deductibles soar — some by over 100 percent.
4. "No family making less than $250,000 a year will see their taxes increase." The truth was that Obamacare contained 18 new or increased taxes.
In 2016, Republicans universally ran on "repeal and replace" of Obamacare. The 2016 GOP Platform contained the following language:
Restoring Patient Control and Preserving Quality in Healthcare.
"Any honest agenda for improving healthcare must start with repeal of the dishonestly named Affordable Care Act of 2010 — Obamacare.
"We agree with the four dissenting justices of the Supreme Court, in our view, the entire Act before us is invalid in its entirety. It must be removed and replaced with an approach based on genuine competition, patient choice, excellent care, wellness, and timely access to treatment. To that end, a Republican president, on the first day in office, will use legitimate waiver authority under the law to halt its advance and then, with the unanimous support of Congressional Republicans, will sign its repeal.
"In its place we must combine what worked best in the past with changes needed for the future. We must recover the traditional patient-physician relationship based on mutual trust, informed consent, and confidentiality. To simplify the system for both patients and providers, we will reduce mandates and enable insurers and providers of care to increase healthcare options and contain costs. Our goal is to ensure that all Americans have improved access to affordable, high-quality healthcare, including those struggling with mental illness.
"We will return to the states their historic role of regulating local insurance markets, limit federal requirements on both private insurance and Medicaid, and call on state officials to reconsider the costly medical mandates, imposed under their own laws, that price millions of low-income families out of the insurance market.
"To guarantee first-rate care for the needy, we propose to block grant Medicaid and other payments and to assist all patients, including those with pre-existing conditions, to obtain coverage in a robust consumer market. Through Obamacare, the current administration has promoted the notion of abortion as healthcare.
"We will empower individuals and small businesses to form purchasing pools in order to expand coverage to the uninsured. We believe that individuals with preexisting conditions who maintain continuous coverage should be protected from discrimination.
"Consumer choice is the most powerful factor in healthcare reform. Today’s highly mobile workforce needs portability of insurance coverage that can go with them from job to job. The need to maintain coverage should not dictate where families have to live and work.
"We propose to end tax discrimination against the individual purchase of insurance and allow consumers to buy insurance across state lines. In light of that, we propose repealing the 1945 McCarran-Ferguson Act which protects insurance companies from anti-trust litigation. We look to the growth of Health Savings Accounts and Health Reimbursement Accounts that empower patients and advance choice in healthcare.
"Our aging population must have access to safe and affordable care. Because most seniors desire to age at home, we will make homecare a priority in public policy and will implement programs to protect against elder abuse.
"Republicans latest strategy of repealing Obamacare and providing a 2-3 year of transition to allow replacement is a risky strategy and presumes the American people will allow them to retain majorities in the House and Senate in the aftermath of the 2018-midterm elections to allow replacement."
But, what about Republican promises of 2016? "We will repeal and replace Obamacare," and "We will provide a better healthcare system that will reduce healthcare costs, increase access and restore competition in the marketplace."
The American people gave Republicans all the power and majorities they needed and the White House yet still they are unable to repeal and replace Obamacare. What will the American people do in 2018 if Republicans fail to deliver on promises made? I'm pretty sure I know the answer.
Bradley A. Blakeman served as deputy assistant to President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2004. He is currently a professor of politics and public policy at Georgetown University and a frequent contributor to Fox News Opinion. Read more reports from Bradley Blakeman — Click Here Now.
© 2024 Newsmax. All rights reserved.