General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsCan the ACA be repealed with only a simple majority?
In its entirety, it can be repealed and replaced by a process called reconciliation. Because the CBO scored it and it did not require revenues, with the cuts made in Medicaid and other programs, they were able to repeal it with simple majority, if they had the votes.
But, simple repeal will cost a lot of money. Would it not require a 60-vote majority in the Senate to pass? Just wondering.
MattP
(3,304 posts)I wouldn't be shocked by anything
unblock
(52,317 posts)C_U_L8R
(45,020 posts)Maybe that's their intention, who's to say.
W_HAMILTON
(7,873 posts)I don't see why that the original ACA had to be passed with a filibuster-proof majority if it can be repealed with simply 50 votes.
Hell, the ACA originally reduced the deficit, so it seems like it could have passed through reconciliation, so why not just simply strive for 50 votes as well and make it even more robust (public option, etc.) than trying to strive for 60 votes?
BzaDem
(11,142 posts)They tried this in 2015 as a test run. In particular, they were not able to repeal the insurance regulations (such as guaranteed issue and community rating). Here is what they were able to repeal:
As mentioned, the Senate bill goes much further than the House, however. Specifically, it would end the premium tax credits, the cost-sharing reduction payments, the Medicaid expansion, and the small business tax creditsthat is, all of the assistance that the ACA gives to low and moderate-income Americans. It would hold off repeal until 2018, however, reportedly to give the Republicans until after the 2016 elections to find a replacement."
http://healthaffairs.org/blog/2015/12/04/senate-approves-reconciliation-bill-repealing-large-portions-of-aca/
shraby
(21,946 posts)It would have been a much better law if they hadn't had to make it so it would garner 60 votes, but they had to leave out stuff to placate the rw idiots.
onecaliberal
(32,895 posts)It were an option.