Tom Price, the Secretary of Health and Human Services who led the four failed Republican efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, resigned because of improper use of private charter jets and even more costly military transport.
After Donald Trump insulted black athletes from both the NBA and NFL this week, big names in pro sports are pushing back hard against the president’s insults. This story began long before President Trump took office, but as is his fashion, Trump has put himself squarely at the center of the controversy.
Collins went on to suggest she is “very concerned about the erosion of protections for people with pre-existing conditions.” Senator Collins will wait for the CBO results on Monday, but can’t imagine how the CBO can score the bill, since Cassidy-Graham has continued to morph over the past few days.
“Your vote on the last-ditch effort to repeal and replace the ACA, the Graham-Cassidy Bill, proposed by your pal Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Bill Cassidy (R-La), Dean Heller (R-NV) and Ron Johnson (R-WI) could be the last and most consequential vote of your entire career. Sure, there have been other big votes, but none where you were twice the “decider”—with the long-term well being of so many Americans in your hands.”
Irma, Houston, Russiagate, tax reform, and don’t forget North Korea. Big stories consuming our media landscape in a country both enthnocentric and myopic, even on the sleepiest news day. So I will keep this brief. In 2014, after he and Najib Razak played a round of golf, Donald J. Trump gave a photo of himself to the Malaysian leader, inscribed, “To my favorite prime minister.” This is according to reporting by Mark Landler, in a New York Times article, “Trump Welcomes Najib Razak, the Malaysian Leader, as President, and owner of a Fine Hotel.”
The Republican solution—free markets and choice—is a return to the bad old days. When you scratch below the surface, it doesn’t add up. Insurance works best with a large pool (mandate), core coverage (10 Essential Benefits) and a limit on maximum out-of-pocket costs (caps).
Drop the qualifier. Democrats—please stop leading with “we know it could be better” and “we are ready to work with Republicans.” You think it makes us sound less partisan, but it makes us sound weak, like we don’t even believe in the bill we fought for.
The Senate should have seated Obama’s nominee, Judge Merrick Garland, and then turned to Trump’s nominees as vacancies occurred. Never forget that Senate Republicans, led by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, have stolen an open seat that would have tilted the court’s balance away from a right-wing majority.