We know President Obama's approach to fixing the dysfunctional American health care system: it's called the Affordable Care Act, and until Republicans stop trying to kill it, the reform package is the law of the land. We also know that GOP officials at every level at least pretend to hate "Obamacare" with every fiber of their being.
But what's the Republican health care plan? They say they don't like the status quo, and they don't like the Democratic policy, so where's their alternative? I'd missed this on Friday, but reader B.A. flagged an interesting comment House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) made on MSNBC the day after the Supreme Court ruling.
For those who can't watch clips online, here's the exchange between Cantor and NBC News' Tom Brokaw.
BROKAW: It seems to me the Republican Party has to have some kind of a framework of an alternative to what they're talking about because, whatever else we think about health care, everybody knows that financially, the system is broken. You can still get cured here in ways that you can't in other places and get treatment, but the cost system is a kind of a ponzi scheme. So my question again to you, congressman, is when will we see a Republican plan that would replace more meritoriously the Obamacare plan that you're so unhappy with?
CANTOR: Tom, you knew back in 2009 when the Obamacare bill was being considered on the House floor, we put forward our alternative. So to sit here and say we don't have a replacement is not correct. What we have now, though, is the challenge of repealing this law.
Notice that Cantor used present tense -- House Republican put forward an alternative, so to "say we don't have a replacement is not correct."
In other words, if we want to know what House Republican policymakers, including the Majority Leader, would do with health care policy in the United States, we need only to review their own 2009 plan, which Cantor still seems to support, at least as of a few days ago.
And what was in the 2009 GOP plan? I'm glad you asked.
After missing a series of self-imposed deadlines, Republican leaders slapped together a half-hearted joke -- the GOP "policy" largely ignored the uninsured, did nothing for those with pre-existing conditions, and offered nothing for those worried about losing coverage when it's needed most.
We learned shortly after the Republican plan was defeated that the proposal included provisions that "mirror the suggestions put forth by the lobbying entity of the private insurance industry way back in December 2008." Imagine that.
As Matt Yglesias noted at the time, the Republican approach to reform sought to create a system that "works better for people who don't need health care services, and much worse for people who actually are sick or who become sick in the future. It's basically a health un-insurance policy." And as ThinkProgress noted in 2009, the CBO crunched the numbers and found that the Republican alternative would leave "about 52 million" Americans without access to basic medical care.
And three years later, Eric Cantor still supports and touts this policy as the Republican health care plan.
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Eric Cantor is a putz!
I think that may be an insult to putzim.
Putz is much too kind!
On the subject of putzes, I suspect that the mohel preforming Cantor's bris got a little carried away, and Cantor has been over-compensating every since.
I am appalled that this man represents our state in any way, shape or form. It's disgusting how much he (like many of the other Republicans) pander to their special interests, all to hurt the vast majority of the American public.
I have to agree with something I read the other day. After reading this story about the so-called 'plan' that Rep. Cantor would support, it shows that the vast bulk of the present day Republican party has nothing but contempt for the average citizen of the US.
Think "Plantation Politics", you know, like antebellum Virginia. He's easy to understand.
Agreed. I'm ashamed to call Cantor one of our own here in the great Commonwealth of Virginia. He is so out of touch with our values.
Well, you'd better get used to him - he's not going anywhere. He comes from the 7th District in VA which include a mostly white, poor (for Virginia) area, with a few rich families, of which he is one! Per capita income in that mostly rural area is about $26,000! The area was gerrymandered about 20 years ago to avoid large cities.
Don't the voters in this particular district discern what Cantor and his minions are doing to keep local economies depressed? Not only is it "plantation" governance but goes back to the colonials before 7/4/1776. Thank you for making me appreciate my home state of California more even with all its budgetary problems. I am optimistic we will overcome all our country's difficulties.
Rudy,
You need to understand the "rural Virginian"!
They have pretty much "accepted" their lot in life and are very disturbed about "others" getting "above themselves" - meaning "above" them! Therefore they are against any social programs that will "help" people advance - they expect "families" to help their own. They don't want "industry" because it competes with the "land" which is their one love, and it brings in "outsiders". They are against immigration, they are against healthcare, they don't consider education all that important,etc. , but they are definitely VERY religious!
They still very much have the mindset of the Confederacy!
Truly one of the most disingenuous men I have ever seen, heard or witnessed. His body language is always that of a deceitful bully, like the creepy guy in High School that the girls "just knew" was a bad guy. He is a pathological liar and slight of hand politician like few others and as a representative of the possible future of our nation, a man we should be terrified of in every way. I know everyone does their best to avoid comparing these specious men to Germany's worst, but the fact is that those men (and THAT man) were human, speaking, driven politicians....what makes this man different? Absolutely nothing. Voter beware.....we said it would never happen again but America IS a Police State and the right is doing all it can to shut it down completely so they can take it all.
Thank you for this perspective. What, who and how can this type of mindset which still predominates a few states be altered? Imagine if billionaires like Bill Gates and Warren Buffet, to name a few, have this kind of mindset. Doesn't this go against our American values of taking care of each other who works hard to improve our lives and in the process those of our neighbors? As for the freeloaders, I hope they change their ways.
You have to remember that the "american values of taking care of each other " was NEVER a viewpoint of the Plantation class - they tended to believe that because "God" declared them deserving because they were wealthy (no matter HOW they got that way), they had the "right" to do what they wanted to other people, including enslaving them. The "american values of taking care of each other" was a Puritan viewpoint - basically a Yankee viewpoint - and was rejected by the South.
"But what's the Republican health care plan?"
Allen Grayson said it best "get sick, die quickly"! The GOTP don't give a fig if "other people" get sick, they have health-care, so f&^$k you underserving minions!
And if you haven't figured out that that's exactly what they are telling US (the 90%) of working Americans, they you too have drunk the kool-aid.
VOTE OUT THE GOTP IN NOVEMBER!
Thank you for bringing this up, Benen. It needs to be shouted from the rooftops that the Republican "plan" is a farce. Watching journalists interview the GOP on this topic, I'm waiting for them to ask some variation of "CBO scored the Republican plan and found it would only insure an additional three million people, and that it lagged far behind the Affordable Care Act in deficit reduction. Is this the plan you're claiming is better than the Affordable Care Act?"
Ah, yes, another instance of a Sixty Second Sound Bite Sideshow !
"An excellent question, Tom, and, before I answer it, let me read a few pages from the phone book. Tell me when we have run out of time, and you will say, 'We'll have to leave it here. Please come back again.'"
LOL That would sum up the press' relationship with the gop for the last 15 years , at some point wouldn't they come up with an alternative plan to just that? It couldn't be the people writing their pay checks have any say in that ? How much cash is Rove handing over to these network owners in just this election year alone? To run lying political ads all day
You would imagine a top notch journalist like tom brokov was informed on the gop H/C plans and really stuck it cantor with some good questions after he said that , right!!!???!!!????
I mean , after becoming fabulously wealthy to the point you can just put your feet up and hang out , certainly someone like brokov could represent the old school seriously informed and on top of it all journalism , like Rachel does , right ?
I here NORAH O'DONNELL really stuck it to House Speaker John Boehner on FACE THE NATION , so maybe there is hope yet
Seriously. I didn't watch the segment (Cantor nauseates me), but it would appear that Brokaw just let that turd lie. Standard MSM practice these days.
THe Republican plan is like all other Republican plans and budgets:
------------------------------------------------
We have a problem and blame Democrats
* A miracle happens that we take credit for *
Everything is fixed.
-------------------------------------------------------
Same plan. It works for everything.
Put people in office who really want to accomplish something to help the country.
Wow, Eric looks like he's practicing his bobble-head routine again! This is good because he really should be looking for another career oportunity aside from his plan to become the world's most inept liar.
It is shocking for me to watch cantor talk down to all those who are not wealthy , I can only assume that the majority of people in his district are mega wealthy ( which I doubt ) , so he could care less about it when working people hear him spout off about things like H C ( ? )
Cantor's posturing is obviously very old Virginia confederate family. I am sure he can trace his genealogy back to early settlers and tobacco planters who were famously cruel slave owners. This is the kind of legacy he proudly purports in such Southern aristocratic circles. Like many of the governors in red states, Cantor would encourage the undesirables (poor people) to just self deport from his great state or die trying.
Republican's idea for health care is to allow people to buy insurance across state lines.What good is that for the people that are unable to pay for it now or in 2014.Without help,millions will still be without insurance.Visit's to the emergency room will remain about the same amount and we with insurance will still be paying for them.Another idea of their's is medical saving's account's,which is mostly another tax haven for the well off.How much can a family of four making $40,000 per year put away?They struggle now to make end's meet. That's the extent of their health care plan?
As someone who is type I diabetic, the pre-existing condition clause bothers me greatly. I encourage everyone here to contact the republican leaders in congress and ask them this very question; pointedly.
At least for me, this is not a political football to be passed around. The ACA law has real ramifications for real people. Let your representatives know you care.
Joined the club 25 years ago, needless to say that if I lost my job I would be in a world of @!$%# where my health is concerned. I still can't believe that nationalized health care is a bother, skating by, instead of a "Christian nation" national priority. It is really a disgusting commentary on the human condition in the United States.
When Republicans say they support allowing insurance sales across state lines what they mean is allowing sales subject to no regulation by the state in which the sales are made. They would be subject to no regulation at all or that of the most permissive state (South Dakota?) so that coverage would be minimal and deductibles and premiums as large as they wish. The truth is they can sell across state lines now as long as they comply with the regulations of the state in which they wish to sell.
Exactly! The GOP wants a "race-to-the-bottom" scenario in which insurance companies can gravitate sales to the states that allow them the most leeway to rip off consumers.
Jon Stewart nailed it here. Romney's solution. See 2:20 of the vidhttp://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-june-28-2012/roberts--rules-of-order
GOP Healthcare " Replacement Plan ' !
First dig a really big ditch in every State in the Union and then :
Shove all poor people who are ill and diseased with no healthcare insurance in to a ditch and let them die.
Shove all children who are ill and diseased with no health care insurance in a ditch and let them die.
Shove all old people who are ill and diseased with no health care insurance in a ditch and let them die.
Shove all workers who are ill and diseased with no health care insurance in a ditch and let them die.
Shove all foreigners who are ill and diseased with no health care insurance in a ditch and let them die.
Then declare a National Day of Thanks be to God that he let all of the useless eaters who were ill and diseased ( and not rich, fat, gun-toting, racist, homophobic, women hating, religious fanatic, white guys and their oppressed families ) die.
I can't believe I left the Philippines because of politicians JUST LIKE THIS and now here they are--the same damn, crooked politics of looking after their special interests and the welfare of the rich and well-to-do.
Folks, you can be ashamed all you want of your representation. But if all you do is say that here or on Facebook or to your friends, then you're not changing the situation. Call your reps in DC, call their local offices. Send emails to them. Let them know what you think. Get your friends to do the same thing. Send regular old-fashioned letters so they can SEE the tangible proof of what people think of them. Nothing changes if all we do is complain to friends.
As for the press, we need a Mike Wallace for today. Someone who isn't afraid to ask the hard question, who gets the reputation where people cringe when they see this person coming because they know they won't be able to dodge the questions. I just don't see it happening anymore. Journalism has become entertainalism and it's not worth the effort or time to watch, in most cases.
Until the GOP (and maybe to a lesser extent, the Dems) get past the idea that legislative wins and losses is more important than policy and the people of this country, this is the kind of crap we will continue to get. Why, oh why is this guy getting reelected?
Eric Cantor - another member of the GOP that enjoys being b*tch slapped by a Koch.
So, now we know one question that ought to be asked during the debates between the presidential candidates--if there really will be any presidential debates. (I'm still skeptical. I think that the Repubs got Scott Brown to float a strategy of getting out of debates with Dems, and if the polls show it doesn't hurt him, Repubs all over the country will be following suit, including Romney.) But back to the question: "So, Gov. Romney, are you saying that you support and would replace the Affordable Care Law with the healthcare plan proposed in the Ryan plan?" With appropriate followups, like, "So, you would do nothing to insure every American is insured?" etc.
So, how about TRMS starting a list of questions that need to be asked of Mitt Romney during the debates--if there are debates?
What did you think of David Brooks's column this morning?
Oh,yeah, since we're on the subject of the Affordable Care Law, can TRMS please do what needs to be done to undermine this debate between Is it a penalty? or Is it a tax? This is NOT a debate Americans should be having. Nancy Pelosi set the stage for the answer: By God, it's both--It is a penalty tax on freeloaders--and only on freeloaders. That's the sound bite that Democrats should be repeating over and over and over. Don't explain it any more. It's so simple, even the dimwitted among the American electorate can understand it. if you won't sign up for health insurance, small businesses and middle-class Americans are not going to pay for your healthcare--you HAVE to pay for your healthcare, and that means that you have to pay a penalty tax that will go toward paying for your healthcare. Simple. Fair. Sensible. And the difference between Democrats and Republicans on this issue is that Republicans are okay with small businesses and the middle class having to pay more because of freeloaders.
The only thing the GOP remembers how to do is campaign for office. They no longer value solving problems for anybody but wealthy contributors. Elections, and their spoils, have become the be-all of American governance, bolstered by a vast conglomerate of consultants, media, and defeated politicians. The 24/7 campaign may get one elected, but does nothing to solve long-term problems that don't fit into a sound bite. When we hailed our politics as a marketplace of ideas, we didn't figure it'd be taken over by marketers. The system favors flash over substance, starting as soon as election results are in, with the eye already on the next election.
David Brooks, sadly, is a dinosaur. He shouldn't be. He should be the William F. Buckley of the new century. He is reasonable, argues well, and doesn't put forward ultra-radically conservative ideas. And if there were Republicans in Congress who shared his reasonableness, then the Affordable Care Law would have been a bipartisan effort and might well have been different--heck, I'm willing to say it, maybe even better. But Brooks does not represent--or even come within 1000 miles of representing--the current Tea Party wingnut Republican Party.
Brooks is a disgusting a**kisser.
Of course Republicans don't have a real plan, because they don't want to control costs. I don't think that "get sick and die quickly" is actually what they want, they just know that their constituents, the special interest groups in all things related to medical care, feel totally fine ripping off the system.
Further, it's an open secret that people who might check your credit score (potential employers, potential land-lords, potential creditors) won't hold an outstanding medical bill against you. There's no reason for a person like me to get insurance. I can't afford it, and until recently I made just over the limit for getting Medicaid. Why would I waste my money on insurance? My health means more to me than your tax dollars, and I can count on my unpaid medical bills not affecting me 99% of the time.
If there were regulations, if there were more enforcement, if there was more competition (as there will be under the ACA) then they might not be able to charge $4000 for an X-ray or $5000 to pop an IV into someone. That's not good for their short-term profits, and that's what business is now about.
He looks kind of weird standing behind John Boehner all the time, as if he wants to say something but never does, or at least something that might make some sense to people.
You have to remember that Cantor desperately wants Boehner's job and has tried more than once to take it away from him.
I sincerely doubt that Cantor could EVER get elected Senator in Virginia (I can tell you he is NOT much care for outside of rural Virginia) , so Speaker of the House is his big goal right now!!
Whenever I see him standing behind Boehner, I wonder if his hands are in Boehner's back like a puppeteer.....
Oh, that wasn't the GOP plan Eric Cantor meant. What he really meant was the Double-Secret Stealth Affordable Care for Health Insurance Companies Act that's been held back in a top-secret committee. All the Republicans know this!