Recent polls show that 60% of Americans believe the federal government should be responsible for ensuring health care is available for all Americans.
85% of Democrats agree, as well as 32% of Republicans (52% of Republicans with family incomes under $30K).
But when questions turn to how the federal government should ensure health care, we struggle to reach a consensus.
Last week, after years of planning, Republicans failed to "repeal and replace" the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
There is no way to sugarcoat that. They just failed.
The Republicans spent seven years planning this move, but now that they finally have a President who wouldn't veto their bill, they couldn't get their own party to pass the bill in the first place.
The Freedom Caucus—Congressional Tea Party Conservatives—rallied against the Republican's American Health Care Act (AHCA).
The Freedom Caucus falls in that other 40% of Americans who do not believe government should play any role in health care (except women's reproductive care, of course)—also representing 40% of Americans who are disproportionately wealthy and white (a strange coincidence... probably).
So, President* Trump put his "dealmaking" skills to use, changing the bill to appease conservatives.
His concessions?
Elimination of a "requirement that health insurers cover services such as maternity care, mental health treatment and prescription drugs"—a requirement put in place by the ACA that the AHCA (and candidate Trump) planned to keep.
He even issued an ultimatum to Republicans:
Pass the AHCA now or Obamacare stays.
But nothing was enough for the Freedom Caucus to sign on to the bill that some Republicans nicknamed "Obamacare Lite."
The Republican Party has attempted to shift blame to the Democrats in Congress, but considering Republicans are the majority in the House of Representatives, Democrats wouldn't have been able to block the bill along partisan lines anyway.
And according to Senate Minority Leader, Chuck Schumer (D-NY), President* Trump never sought any "dealmaking" with Democrats, despite the fact that Democrats arguably "have more fundamental agreements with the Republican leadership than the Freedom Caucus ever did."
Republican leadership couldn't gather enough votes to pass the AHCA in the Republican-held House of Representatives.
And then, in an embarrassing reversal after days of intense news coverage, Republican Congressional leadership pulled the bill without a vote.
Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI), largely seen as the mastermind behind the AHCA plan, publicly announced, "We are going to be living with Obamacare for the foreseeable future."
For now, Republicans are moving on...
The White House plans to follow through on Trump's ultimatum. The President* himself indicated they will simply wait for Obamacare to inevitably "explode," not seeming to care about the harm that could do to both individuals and the country as a whole.
Reports say that the GOP agenda will move forward to focus on their next big goal: passing tax reform. Some Congressional Republicans say they will continue to work on the dismantling the ACA, but they have shown they are not prepared to make any big moves.
So, that's it?
Uhh...? Unknown.
See, as President* Trump's prediction of an Obamacare explosion suggests, our health care system is still in desperate need of reform—a fact recognized by Democrats, Republicans, and Independents alike.
But will it explode if they can't work together to fix it?
Most experts say no.
Some reports say Trump and his staff are pledging to "court moderate Democrats" for future legislation, healthcare and otherwise. Others warn that the Trump Administration could, in essence, deliberately sabotage the ACA to weaken public support.
The American Health Care Act has been declared a disastrous failure for Trump, Ryan, and the GOP.
There is no clear consensus on how Republicans will move forward...
Now is the time for Democrats to step up.
Democrats faced 8 years of obstructionist tactics from Republicans during the Obama Administration. During that time, Congressional approval ratings plummeted across party lines—the yearly average has not even reached 20% since 2009.
To some that may suggest obstructionism is not the solution.
Listen the aftermath of the failed AHCA provides Democrats a prime opportunity to show the American People how they differ from Congressional Republicans.
We can all recall during the 2016 Democratic National Convention, when former first lady Michelle Obama declared, "When they go low, we go high." And supporters loved it.
Now is the time for Democrats in Congress to prove her right.
They may not be able to advance their policy agenda in Washington right now, but don't ever let anyone say they didn't work their asses off.
Democrats need to be proactive about working to fix the ACA—break down the legislation and target problem areas. Make it clear to the American people that Democrats have coherent answers to the daily problems they face.
Let the Republicans continue to be "The Party of No" that would rather gain political capital by making Democrats take the blame for Obamacare's shortcomings than negotiate with Democrats to improve health care for the American people now.
Bernie Sanders has already announced his plan to introduce a single-payer healthcare bill in the next few weeks.
Will Democrats get on board? Would it ever pass a Republican-led Congress?
Unlikely.
We've seen—over the past 7 years of a Republican held House of Representatives—how far the GOP will go to put politics before country.
And Democrats have shown their resistance to the more progressive wing of their party that found a voice in Bernie Sanders during the 2016 election.
Still, Bernie will offer a plan. He will show that he is fighting for the American people.
Democrats need to follow his example (as well as actively work with him) to take action now—they can't wait until the next elections in 2018.
If Democrats put the political future of their party before the success of the American people, as Republicans have done, they will not only face continued low approval rates (across party lines), they will also fuel dissent within their already split party.
Even if Democrats in Congress do not or cannot proactively offer solutions, everyday Democrats (or other left-leaning individuals) MUST.
Unlike Republicans who want to repeal the ACA and start over entirely, Democrats have a strong foundation in the ACA to support future improvements. Democrats have an advantage on health care.
"Nobody knew health care could be so complicated."
-President* Donald Trump
LAWL
It won't be easy—nor will it be nearly as simple as this article suggests—but the American people need to know there are still capable politicians in DC fighting for them.
Democrats, it might as well be you...
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