As many of you know, a new bill has been introduced to try and repeal Obamacare. The bill is authored by senators Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, and is appropriately named the Graham-Cassidy Bill.
On the surface it seems like this bill is the same as the numerous others that Republicans have tried to pass in the last year, and when you look closely into it your suspicions are confirmed. Millions of Americans will lose coverage under this bill, and millions of dollars will be lost should this be passed.
Despite the similarities between Graham-Cassidy and the other Trumpcare flops we have seen, Republican senators seem more determined than ever to get this bill passed, and are once again saying it’s their last chance. Instead of trying to repeal Obamacare yet again with another bill that will put most Americans in medical trouble (reminder, they have tried over 50 times now), here’s a few things they could be doing instead.
1. Listen to their consituents.
A lot of the people who vote for these Senators/members of Congress are covered by Obamacare and credit it as the reason they are still alive today. Many have spoken out and have said that repealing the bill will put them back at square one and have urged them not to speak out. If these so called “leaders” could listen to what their constituents have to say, then it could lead to a healthcare bill that doesn’t leave millions uninsured and potentially facing death.
2. Reach across the aisle.
The Democrats want to help create a bill that will help Americans without having some of the flaws that Obamacare has had over the years. A few Republicans have asked for bipartisan support yet have done nothing to gain votes from the Democrats. Maybe they should try doing that before they introduce a bill that isn’t even liked by all of their own people.
3. Stress about the President’s big mouth.
Seriously, healthcare is not an issue when Trump keeps talking about destroying North Korea every five seconds. Republicans need to prepare for the possibility of war, tell him to shut up, or realize that he’s not worth supporting anymore. They could even discuss the impeachment process, if they really wanted to. That’d make people happy.
4. Work on a compromise for another hot-button issue in America.
From police brutality to gun safety, and from hate crimes to the growth of a literal Nazi party in America, there are a plethora of other issues at home that they could be focused on right now. I don’t believe the Republicans in D.C. need to keep worrying about healthcare when many Americans are dying at the hands of each other.
5. Research.
If the fact that all of these bills have similar problems doesn’t make this point clear, then nothing else will. It’s clear that these Republicans are so far off in their own privileged worlds that they don’t know what’s good for the American people. Going on their computers and looking up what will be positive for all Americans is one of the most beneficial things they can do to ensure a different healthcare bill passes.
6. Try to become likable people.
This one may seem silly to some of you, but come on. The more they try to pass a differently named healthcare bill with similar “benefits,” the less people are going to support them. This also goes back to point one. Listen to your constituents, and you will be liked by more of them.
I may not be a politician, but I don’t need to be one to know that the Republicans in the Senate and the Congress aren’t doing themselves any favors by trying to pass this Graham-Cassidy bill. They need to wake up, realize what’s good for Americans of all backgrounds, and put that newfound knowledge into a bill that will benefit everyone. If they don’t, then many of them can expect to lose their jobs in 2018.
Don’t forget to call your senators and tell them what you think about Graham-Cassidy! Your voice will help ensure this bill does not get passed.