This commentary about sums up most of what I have read regarding the GOP efforts to supplant Obamacare: "It would be myopic and reckless for Republicans to advance legislation that harms millions for the short-term gain of a legislative victory. After all, voters may not properly attribute policy gains like the Medicaid expansion to the legislation that President Obama championed, but they will remember who took their health care away." It would seem the smart thing to do would be to make some positive changes to Obama care and then rename it Trumpcare so that Republicans could erase any connection to Obama and then Trump and the GOP can take full credit in time for the 2018 elections. Slimy.
Republicans have fallen for the "replace" trap. Unbelievably a health care program written with 10 years of premiums for 6 years of benefits is crumbling in it's 7th year! Countries that have universal health care have oppressive tax rates like Sweden and rationing as they do in Great Britain. 45% of our working population doesn't pay federal income taxes. Just how much has to be provided to these unproductive or low productive individuals? Before the ill-conceived wealth distribution program Obamacare was foisted on us there were safety nets for those needing health care. Emergency rooms could not turn away those needing care and Medicaid provided millions with health care. The Democrats must have known this program crash was coming but they never came up with any realistic solutions. They now sit back with folded arms and expect the Republicans to fix their mess. I say just repeal it. For once a major entitlement will be taken away. Stay away from the "replacement" trap and get rid of this crap.