In a scene deserving of the silver screen, Sen. John McCain, fresh off the hospital bed, marched to the senate chambers and with a single “no” saved America’s healthcare system. Exaggerated, yes, but it was a triumphant moment nonetheless for supporters of the Affordable Care Act. However, some two months later another Obamacare repeal bill, sponsored by our very own Sen. Lindsey Graham, was similarly proposed and shot down. It prompted Sen. Mitch McConnell to declare that the GOP would be moving on from healthcare reform. Of course he said that last time too.
The reason there was such a strong push for healthcare reform these last few months from the GOP is because of a little process called reconciliation, which allowed Congress to pass such a bill within a window of time without needing a 60-senator majority. Now, however, that period is over. “Hurrah,” you might think, “Obamacare is forever saved.” While your streamers and celebrations may be warranted, they could be a little premature.
At this point it’s pretty well established that Trump has a hankering for undoing anything Obama did. So naturally, something with Obama’s very own name on it is a pretty big target for him. Trump’s made it clear he’d gleefully let Obamacare implode if that meant making it easier to carry out a campaign promise. And that is perfectly within in his power to do.
Let’s kick it back to School House Rock. There are three branches of government, only two of which are important right now — the executive and the legislative. It’s Trump's, the executive's, job to carry out the laws put out by the legislature in whatever way he chooses. Checks are in place that keep the president from going hog wild with things, but he still has a lot of freedom in how he directs his cabinet and various federal agencies.
Trump has already taken some actions. He cut 90 percent of the funds for promoting Obamacare that were meant to increase the number of young people enrolling into the program — the glue that keeps the whole thing from splintering to pieces. Healthcare.gov was down 12 hours every week during the 45-day period of open enrollment. And, some-odd days ago, Trump announced a few new executive orders, one of which attempts to undermine Obamacare by encouraging associative health plans that will offer less comprehensive coverage at a cheaper price, encouraging people without access to the right resources to buy bunk health insurance.
Trump's other move is just as irresponsible. He plans to put an end to paying subsidies to insurers that help that cover the cost of enrollees that need help paying for their plans. A move that, designed to save the government money, could actually end up raising the deficit. It’s also caused fear among insures leading to a drop in health insurance stocks and could lead to companies to pull out of healthcare markets.
And these are just actions Trump can make without Congress. When 2018 rolls through town, it will bring another chance to use reconciliation — meaning we get to go through all this one more time.