'You've Handed Us An Issue:' Democrats Pounce on Trump Administration Health-Care Move

[appalachiablue]

Source: Washington Post

The Trump administration’s startling decision to abandon one of the Affordable Care Act’s most popular provisions — protections for people with preexisting medical conditions — put Republicans on the defensive Friday and handed Democrats a potentially potent political message.

Democrats had already made health care a major focus in their campaigns heading into November’s midterm elections, with polls consistently showing it as a top issue among voters. Now, the Justice Department’s stance in a federal-court case in Texas will allow Democrats to argue that Republicans want to deny affordable health coverage to some of the people who need it most.

Late Thursday, the department said the health law’s requirement that most Americans carry insurance will become unconstitutional next year and so will consumer protections forbidding insurers to deny coverage to sick customers or charge them more.

The administration’s legal stance injects profound uncertainty into the political debate and the health-care landscape at a critical moment, just as insurance companies are developing rates for the coming year and as candidates head into a summer campaign season that both parties will try to use to solidify a foothold for their agendas...More..

Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/%e2%80%98you%e2%80%99ve-handed-us-an-issue%e2%80%99-democrats-pounce-on-trump-administration%e2%80%99s-health-care-move/ar-AAypwTy

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'But Democrats were already pouncing. “I’m astounded, and it’s not only recklessness on lots of scores in terms of the legal reasoning,” said Rep. Gerald E. Connolly (D-Va.). “But it’s also political malpractice because you’ve handed us an issue we will ride into the sunset.”

[Marthe48]

1. I appreciate your enthusiasm, Rep. Connolly

but could you rephrase that statement? I want to use it to stomp the repukes into the ground

[appalachiablue]

2. Let's See Some Pouncin'! Hope it's fixed, ins. cos. are doing 2019 rates now.

Some of the consequences if this isn't shut down: Trigger "immediate chaos" is right!
WaPo
"America’s Health Insurance Plans, the main trade group for the industry, immediately denounced this prospect. “Removing those provisions will result in renewed uncertainty in the individual market, create a patchwork of requirements in the states, cause rates to go even higher for older Americans and sicker patients, and make it challenging to introduce products and rates for 2019,” Matt Eyles, AHIP’s president and CEO, said Friday in a statement.

Eyles said that AHIP plans to file a brief in the case laying out “more detail about the harm that would come to millions of Americans if the request to invalidate the ACA is granted.”

According to health-policy experts, a court ruling in favor of the suing GOP states and the administration would trigger what one >called “immediate chaos” in the law’s insurance marketplaces created under the law."

[Fred Sanders]

14. The ACA pre-existing condition section is LAW! It can not be changed without another LAW.

Sad to think the fascists believe a lawsuit or EO or not defending the law can undo the LAW, already upheld by SCOTUS.

[appalachiablue]

17. Thanks for the reassurance; I hope the issue is settled soon.

[YOHABLO]

3. This was their plan all along. Just chisel away at the ACA

What good is it to anyone needing health care? Premiums will go sky high, there'll be no insurer accepting preexisting maladies. So what good is it? What evil sons of bitches these Republicans are. Just plain evil. Mean, nasty, greedy, a-holes.

[Twisty]

4. I'll believe it when I see it.

They’ve handed us more issues that you can count, and I don’t see anyone pouncing on anything.

[pangaia]

5. You're "I'm astounded, !"" Are you kidding me?

Where have you been ?

[appalachiablue]

6. Set this straight, or release The Kraken!

[Uncle Joe]

7. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread appalachiablue

[Snackshack]

8. What?!?

“You’ve handed us an issue”...

This president is under investigation which has produced indictments and convictions, has cabinet secretaries under investigations, has not divested his business interests which is in violation of the emoluments clause, claims he can pardon himself, has made thousands of lies, sends his children to do foreign policy, has...list goes on and on...and “pre-existing conditions” is the issue?

It has been a long week and an even longer day so obviously I am missing something here. Certainly after a good nights sleep I will see the wisdom.

[appalachiablue]

9. The status of health insurance including pre existing conditions

effects millions of Americans, now and for the last 20+ years. It is "an issue" of major importance. It could also potentially influence the critical November election. It is not "the issue' as in the top, ultimate game-changing event or above the ongoing, serious legal investigations involving the administration and government.

[luvtheGWN]

12. Could this be the trigger that finally persuades

all the baby boomers to INSIST on a universal healthcare policy?

Besides all the under-25s who are (are they still?) covered under their parents' insurance plans, and who are now finally being persuaded to vote, all the over-55s, many of whom have pre-existing conditions (acne, anyone???) will finally find that a universal healthcare policy is absolutely essential to their very well-being. Combine those two age groups and this may just be the catalyst to ensure a Democratic Congress in November.

We all know how evil the Repubs are; now they are demonstrating their innate stupidity as well.

Praise be! And best wishes and good luck from your neighbour to the north.

[appalachiablue]

20. Another post to share your special perspectives.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100210713271

[lagomorph777]

11. Yes, exactly so.

The impending death of our democracy, impending world war, none of that is as immediately obvious to voters as loss of health care. Polls show it and we'd better pay attention.

[Snackshack]

15. Apparently.

It’s like that West Wing episode where CJ talks about the Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid movie. How they are about to jump off a cliff into a river and are worried about not being able to swim...not realizing it is the fall that is gonna kill them.

Our Democracy and system of Justice is literally under attack by a person who seems to be very much acting in the interest of a foreign power (if you read and even remotely agree at all with the Josh Marshal post at TPM or have watched any recent TRMS) and Democrats are like “hey, pre-existing conditions, there is an issue to go after”. It’s unbelievable.

[appalachiablue]

16. When people can't afford the cost of insulin for diabetes, medication

and treatment for asthma, kidney dialysis, epilepsy, high blood pressure, AIDS, respiratory illness, congestive heart disease and other major medical problems, they will be sick and disabled, or dead and not able to focus on the degradation of our democracy, major global conflicts or the next election. It is a matter of life and death to many people in the US, absolutely.

[Dave Starsky]

19. They already have more issues than National Geographic.

Now do something about it, for fuck's sake.

[NBachers]

10. Finnaly! An actual issue presents itself. What a Blockbuster! This will change Everything!

I know, I know, sorry , , , sorry . . .

[Heartstrings]

13. What I would like to see is more information/education

On just what a pre-existing condition is and how they are administered by the insurance companies.
Having worked for 2 major insurance companies as a high cost quality auditor and a pre-existing claims examiner, the vast general public either doesn’t know or doesn’t care until it slaps them upside the head.

[YOHABLO]

18. Pelosi and Schumer need to be out there screaming.