Democrats seem content to sit on their hands in the belief that the public will blame Republicans for challenging the ACA and for not having an alternative. But contrary to the Democrats’ narrative, Republicans have proposed ACA replacements which were dead on arrival in the previous Democratic-controlled Senate.
The newest proposal by Republican Sens. Orrin Hatch and Richard Burr and Rep. Fred Upton repeals the ACA, including the unpopular mandates, but preserves popular ACA features such as the ability to purchase insurance regardless of medical history and allowing children to stay on their parents’ policies up to age 26. It provides means-tested tax credits to make insurance more affordable and increases patient choice and lowers costs by allowing the purchase of insurance across state lines. Other proposals are also in the works.
If, as they have threatened to do, Democratic senators stonewall Republican legislation or if Republican legislation passes, only to be vetoed by the president, it will be clear to Americans that Democratic intransigence is the problem. Democrats may finally be forced to engage in a bipartisan legislative process to replace the ACA with a plan that is acceptable to both parties and the American public.
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