Republican Senators Defeat Obamacare Repeal

Judging by their recent actions, Senators Rand Paul (R-Kentucky), John McCain (R-Arizona), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and Susan Collins (R-Maine) should start a new campaign finance pool to help fund their future political efforts: Friends of Obamacare PAC.

These four senators are standing in opposition to the Graham-Cassidy proposal, a new piece of "repeal & replace" legislation brought forth by Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Bill Cassidy (R-Louisana). While the proposal is not the overwhelming repeal that some conservatives sought, it is a step in the right direction for several reasons:

• It eliminates the individual and corporate mandate. Many Americans are penalized by fines because they cannot afford healthcare. Senator Jeff Flake (R-Arizona) summed it up well when he said, "To fine someone because they don’t have access to affordable health care is beyond absurd."

• It scales back Medicaid, instead giving block grants to the states so that they can personalize healthcare. This creates an environment where innovation is rewarded, allowing for healthcare coverage that is cheaper and more effective. It will also help eliminate Medicaid waste, fraud, and abuse.

• It cuts the medical device tax, working to combat the tax bureaucracy created by the ACA.

• It works towards partial deregulation of the healthcare industry. According to POLITICO, "States would be allowed to apply for waivers that could change what qualifies as an essential health benefit." This would allow for less comprehensive, cheaper coverage upon demand. 

In effect, the Graham-Cassidy proposal is innovative and groundbreaking. It isn't as sexy as some of the other proposals -- which failed in the Senate -- but it is surely better than leaving the ACA in place. Additionally, it is better than the tries to "fix" Obamacare, which are simply attempts to rearrange furniture on the sinking Titanic that is the ACA.

Senators Lindsey Graham and Bill Cassidy

The four GOP senators who have pledged opposition against the bill are establishing their support for the status quo -- Obamacare -- and opening the floodgates for the destruction of the GOP in the 2018 midterms. Sadly, I wouldn't even blame the base for being mad: we should've had ACA repealed months ago. 

Leader McConnell, please put the proposal to vote on the Senate floor before September 30th. We should hold these four senators to their word and be the change that we seek in the world. How Paul, Cruz, Collins, and McCain decide to vote should determine their future in politics.