Lamp,

"I view this as those Democrats realizing that Americans are suffering and they want to help Americans.

But the Dems seem to care about Americans more than the GOP does."

You couldn't just lie because deep inside you know the truth.

The word "seem" gave you away.

The GOP cares about Americans and works in their best interest and the Democratic leadership works in their own and "cares" when its to their advantage.

I commend you for being honest.

Zed,

"Haven't seeen that.
It's not because I haven't been looking."

Different moments in time.

The last few years haven't been dems shining moments.

Corky,

If Democrats would stop acting like spoiled children and work with Republicans, they could create a health care solution that meets more people's needs.

But you're just like them.

Prideful and partisan.

Only care about proving you're right but the problem is you can't.

All you can do is be stubborn and tell yourself lies about ACA.

Now the children are dealing with adults and can't get their way by throwing themselves on the ground kicking and screaming.

Snoofy,

"What have Republicans done in terms of working with Democrats?"

That's kind of immaterial right this moment.

Now's not the time to talk about the past.

Now's the time to talk about the future.

The ACA has no future and the sooner dems accept that fact, the better it will be for everyone.

Like it or not, dems need to get involved and hold Trump at his word to "fix" it.

Talk about the future....not the past.

John,

"You and the GOP supports a person who attempted to overthrow the US Constitution. You are all traitors."

Read my ACA summary I posted to get a better understanding of the problem with ACA.

Get up to speed and just let the past stay in the past.

Or get new material.

Zed,

"When will you adopt that same cynical, snotty attitude to the Epstein scandal, BILL?"

It is quite a scandal. I agree.

But not the most pressing issue at this time.

Snoofy,

"That's just dumb, and not how the world works."

Pet posted right before you, "Pelosi gaffed, telling the local elected officials assembled that Congress "[has] to pass the bill so you can find out what's in it, away from the fog of controversy."

Is that what you prefer?

Snoofy,

Now you are a troll will be killfiled. Saying I run interference for child predators.

I don't like using it but the crazy talk on this site has made it necessary.

Donner,

"So in your "studies" have you learned what the Republicans plan is to solve ANY of those "problems" (most of which created by Republicans)?"

ACA is on life support. I don't know their solutions but here's what I believe.

I've determined the only choice to a long term solution for health care is cost control measures.

Essentially, analyze cost drivers and make them become part of the solution instead of part of the problem.

Lobbiests will likely swarm in on DC but Congress needs to stand their ground.

Passing the buck to future politicians has been the standard MO far too long.

Trump appears to want a lasting legacy and may very well have the skills to negotiate and bargain to find the right balance.

Health insurance is no longer a luxury that you buy if you can afford it.

It's a necessity.

Donner,

"I care about the truth. I care about the reality"

Which from all appearances is fairly scatter brained.

You brought a little bit of all kinds of things into your post.

Your opinions seem to be based on hating me and Trump but also focusing of ACA or pulling the plug or rewriting history or republicans do nothing or republicans make things worse or, last but not least, Epstein.

John,

"You posted misinformed drivel"

Great....

What specifically was misinformed?

I'll be glad to know.

Truth,

"Tax cuts? NOPE they benefit the upper class with only an incidental help to the poor and middle class"

Not if you actually have a job.

You get back more than you would have.

Clown,

Retired.

One of the few benefits of getting old.

Clown,

"The DR is your life."

I have a life.

Depending on the topic. I don't post much unless it's interesting.

The shutdown has been interesting.

Shrimp,

Next time challenge me and correct specifics.

I'd like that. Just don't act rude.

Shrimp,

If you're going to say "worthless pos", don't be surprised if I ignore you.

I can't speak for other people, but I'll give you my take on mandates.

Mandates push more money into the system...but...continually escalating costs (cost drivers) pull it right back out into the pockets of insurance companies, pharmaceuticals, hospitals and many more.

We need to know exactly, "where is the money going?". Then talk about, "where is it coming from?"

Before long, we're right back where we started and wondering why ACA needs another cash infusion.

Without serious cost controls, the cycle never ends.

Sustainability depends on fixing the cost drivers, not just feeding them more cash.

The US government has stopped even pretending to act fiscally responsible.

It borrows without restraint, keeps citizens distracted and divided, and hands corporations and financial institutions whatever money they demand.

Meanwhile, we sit around bickering over mandates.

Dan,

Seriously?

Yea....all this started here in 2025.

Donner,

"Republicans has been obstructing and undermining Obamacare since 2010."

Considering it passed without one single Republican vote, I'm not surprised.

Perhaps they saw something wrong with it dems didn't.

Dan,

You and I would probably be in agreement that cost controls are needed.

Dan,

"Well, the Republicans chose to make costs higher when they killed the mandate."

I think there's more to this than money, we're looking at an ideological difference.

Republicans thought a mandate was government overreach.

It's the same with many other differences between liberals and conservatives.

Invasive policies and regulation vs limited government involvement in people's lives.

I would need more numbers to make a serious evaluation. The problem is I doubt detailed enough records exist. I must confess I suspect that is by design.

I've seen before accounting systems built this way. If you don't want close scrutiny, make sure records are intentionally opaque. All the various cost drivers benefit from complexity. Even the government's own data is fragmented.

Again...here we are discussing mandates when we should be discussing all the costs involved in healthcare itself.

It probably would take a dedicated office just to track and enforce pricing, which is something liberals would probably love and, conservatives will resist.

I understand the lack of confidence in Trump, if you look at past behavior of Republicans.

However, ACA is due to expire and it's an old system and needs to be updated.

Someone has to lead and take charge.

Still, I have my doubts a full cost expose will ever happen.

Corky,

Find new material.

"No Replacement Plan" is just like ACA....out of date and stale.

They will have something. I just hope it's not ACA 2.0.

Just rewind the clock and write off losses annually.

Lamp,

"Good enough" is apparently good enough for you.

Speak,
"As for healthcare it's not a mystery. Look at the countries that do it better and COPY THEM."

But to do that, you have to look beyond healthcare. You have to look at the cultures.

Most people in countries with socialized medicine aren't sitting around expecting government handouts in every part of life. They simply see healthcare as a public utility like roads, police, or fire departments.

Their systems work because the culture values collective responsibility. People expect each other to contribute, not to freeload.

In the US, individualism runs far deeper. We think highly of ourselves rather than seeing us as collective group. We value "me" more than "we".

If we really want to copy those successful healthcare models, the truth is uncomfortable. Our culture would have to change first.

In the US, we think if you throw enough money at a problem, it can be fixed.

Healthcare isn't just an economic system. It's a cultural commitment for the good of all.