GOP governors fight their own party on Obamacare

[riversedge]

Source: Politico




GOP governors fight their own party on Obamacare

Several who expanded Medicaid look to protect health coverage for residents.

By Rachana Pradhan

01/13/17 05:11 AM EST





Republican governors who reaped the benefits of Obamacare now find themselves in an untenable position — fighting GOP lawmakers in Washington to protect their states’ health coverage.

This rift between state and federal GOP officials is the real battle on Obamacare at a time when Democrats have only marginal power in Congress. The voices of even a handful of Republican governors intent on protecting those at risk of losing coverage could help shape an Obamacare replacement and soften the impact on the millions who depend on the law.

President-elect Donald Trump heaped more pressure on resolution of the issue this week when he vowed to “repeal and replace Obamacare essentially simultaneously” after the Senate confirms Rep. Tom Price, his pick for HHS secretary.

But Trump’s push comes as at least five of the 16 Republican governors of states that took federal money to expand Medicaid are advocating to keep it or warning GOP leaders of disastrous consequences if the law is repealed without a replacement that keeps millions of people covered. They include Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval.

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Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2017/01/gop-governors-republicans-obamacare-233576

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They are fighting for the people-so more power to them




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Gov. John Kasich is one of the Republican governors warning against potential disastrous consequences if Obamacare is repealed without a replacement. | Getty

[cstanleytech]

1. Hah, if they really cared they would have loudly told everyone to vote for Hillary but

they didnt so F them.

[titaniumsalute]

13. I will say, as much as I hate him, Kasich was the most verbal Republican

against Trump since day 1.

[Blanks]

2. Repealing Obamacare threatens...

The republican senators and house members in those states.

It likely damages the republican state assembly members too.

[elleng]

8. As it SHOULD!

Let's see what Dems do about this. DNC? 'New' DNC?

[Blanks]

9. Obama won't be as busy in a couple of days...

Perhaps he (and Howard Dean, Hillary Clinton, etc) can help steer the resistance.

Trump is still running a campaign, he will find out that the fun is over in a week.

[Grins]

3. Screw 'em! No!

With the exception of Nevada, every one of those states voted Republican. Voted against their own best interests. I'm now a firm believer in Mencken's admonition: "Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard." So give it to them.

And when it's gone, put up billboards everywhere in those states saying: "So sorry. You voted Republican".

“Let’s just say they just got rid of it, didn’t replace it with anything. What happens to the 700,000 people? What happens to drug treatment? What happens to mental health counseling? What happens to these people who have very high cholesterol and are victims from a heart attack? What happens to them?” - Ohio Republican Gov. Kasich.

Well, Governor, it's one hellofa time to be asking that now. But you shouldn't be asking those questions, because you already know the answer.

[Lotusflower70]

4. I thought Kentucky would be there

They benefitted a great deal from Obamacare. As to why they are asking the questions now, it's for appearance sake. They want to look good for their constituents. And it shows a divide in the GOP and the Democrats need to make the most of it.

[DeminPennswoods]

10. Bevin is as bad as Pence and his ilk

He won't be asking to keep medicaid expansion.

[HassleCat]

5. Replacement or not, it's going to be chaos

The states are faced with kicking people off, or moving them to the "new plan," which will probably amount to cancelling their health care.

[trixie2]

11. I don't like Snyder at all

or the rest of the Governors now standing up.

You can say F them all you want but it is the everyday person, who did not vote for Trump - by the way, that will be hurt. Every GOP voice that stand up today is worth listening to. Hey do you think I like shouting, "Go Rubio Go"? He did kill it though.

I think we are all facing the very essence of what the United States of America stands for and it is scary, very scary.

[elmac]

12. I don't like Snyder much

but he fought his own fascist congress to get ACA and now has to fight washington fascists. He's got an uphill battle. I'm thinking about doing something I never thought I would ever do. Call him and thank him for supporting ACA.

[J_William_Ryan]

6. Republicans have only themselves to blame.

[elleng]

7. Good. Let them.