passed (there are many, widely varying) would be incremental steps either to or toward true universal coverage.
On the table is whether the next increment will be to repeal and start over with a new, more expansive bill or to proceed toward universal coverage as planned through the ACA.
The problem with repeal and replace, easy as the very misleading "MfA" label suggests, is that even Bernie Sanders calls for a 5-year roll-out period. That would begin AFTER we get the power to do it, if we do, AFTER a bill is written, AFTER it's finally passed, and AFTER the usual waiting period before beginning implementation.
Just passing one of the MfA versions, let's say his, would take 3 years minimum from now -- time to get control of both houses of congress so it becomes possible, plus time to write an 8-foot stack of legislation. That last would take several months at least, even assuming cutting and pasting thousands of pages from the ACA. After passing Sanders' version, then would come 5 years of gradual implementation. The ACA's already implemented.
And, the prospect has to be faced, what if we DON'T get the power we need in 2020 and lose the house and any ability to improve and strengthen popular and legal support for the ACA before it's destroyed?
Bernie Sanders just highlighted a huge additional problem on top of all that: Sanders is refusing to support improvements to the ACA, including lowering premiums, for political reasons. FOR HOW MANY YEARS would we halt all improvements? Another 3 until repeal? Will we repeal incrementally, refusing improvements to existing policy, over another 5 years or all at once in the beginning, leaving many people with no or only partial coverage?
Imo, with other candidates harnessing the MfA-label enthusiasm to their own campaigns, Sanders has ridden this issue about as far as he can. Impeding the ACA won't get him elected, just hurt millions.
And sure, we know both Trump's and Sanders' populist factions are determined to get the Obama and Democratic Party brand off their healthcare program at almost any cost, but everyone else should be very careful about what they support. Examine the product and count the costs before buying.
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