Sen. Collins Signals GOP Wall On Obamacare and Medicare Is Cracking

[DonViejo]

Source: Talking Points Memo

By LAUREN FOX Published DECEMBER 5, 2016, 11:44 AM EDT

Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) has "reservations" about privatizing Medicare, she told the Portland Press Herald. “Suffice it to say I have a number of reservations,” Collins told the newspaper. “A complete upending of a program (Medicare) that by and large serves seniors well is not something that appeals to me.”

Collins' comments signals an early and significant departure from GOP unity on the issue, which will be needed to overhaul something like Medicare and will be essential to repealing and replacing Obamacare. If Republicans lose too many lawmakers on these topics, they won't be able to follow through with promises to gut Obamacare.

-snip-

In the interview, Collins also revealed she was uneasy about repealing Obamacare if Republicans hadn't drafted legislation to replace it. That's significant because every Republican member matters a lot when it comes to repealing Obamacare. One of the strategies up for discussion right now among Senate Republicans is to repeal Obamacare in January using budget reconciliation, a special process that only requires 51 votes in the Senate, and then give senators up to three years to replace it.

Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) has warned that could be problematic. He's urged a bit of patience among his colleagues to ensure individuals covered by Obamacare now aren't hurt in the process.

-snip-

Read more: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/susan-collins-has-reservations-about-privatizing-medicare

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[50 Shades Of Blue]

1. I trust her about as far as I could throw her.

[calguy]

11. me neither...

and she's supposed to be one of the "good ones"

[rpannier]

33. If the rumors are true I believe her

She has plans to run for governor in 2018
She's looking for ways to insulate herself against Il Douche's stench

[Blue Shoes]

2. Republicans always fall in line.

Their corporate interests drive them almost entirely and theres far too much money to be made in healthcare.

[ProfessorGAC]

26. Sometimes The Corporate Interests Are Insurance Companies

Losing premiums doesn't work for them, because the "losses" sustained were very heavily induced by latent medical needs from people who hadn't had the coverage to have those addressed.

The premium to payout would have reached equilibrium quickly enough but several insurance companies grandstanded in getting off the exchanges.

Those that didn't will reap the increased revenues when that equilibrium is reached.

If some of those "corporate masters" are the insurance companies that are taking the long view, then there are reasons for politicians to resist overhaul.

[treestar]

31. thing is the people covered by Obamacare would

no longer be spending in that market, so how does that make more money for them?

[Cosmocat]

3. JUST FUCKING ASSHOLES

they never gave ACA even the first chance. They never tried to do what every other congress prior to the new age jackass, deranged republican congress, where the opposition party tried to work craft legislation WITH the in party. They just went ape shit screaming about death panels and ginned themselves up into this seething primal hatred of the GREATEST THREAT TO AMERICA IN OUR HISTORY, which was the REPUBLICAN version of health care reform in the early 90s.

Now, after they have used this issue as the central touchstone to gain full control of congress, with an R POTUS who promised to tear it down, and the dumb ass sheep in this country believe is some great disaster, they are faced with what to do instead of it, something the dolts in this country and the hapless dimwitted media never held them to account for the last 6 years.

And, there isn't anything to "replace it" with. You either more further toward the more common sense universal system or just blow it up and have things go back to where things were prior.

Jackasses. And, this country for forever indulging them in being jackasses.

[PaulRevere08]

32. It's more than 6 years

The GOP has had many, many years to come up with a proposal better than the ACA and they never did.

[Ford_Prefect]

4. Their masters will yank the leash and that will be all it takes.

ATM I think those implying there would be some resistance may well be fishing for dollars or influence in the next congress.

[longship]

5. Senator Collins, put up or shut up.

Your voting record is not so good on these things. Better yet, let us hear a floor speech.

Put up, or shut up.

[bucolic_frolic]

6. Wafflers on both sides of everything

Toomey was that way on the Supreme Court nominee, as well
as Trump

Being on both sides at different times maximizes popularity, giving
each side what they want to hear

Never say anything unpopular, just vote that way

Suzie is an expert at trial balloons, but they are bogus, they always
revert back to the hard GOP line

[marcopolo63]

7. Slowly they turn, step by step...

Collins is not a complete right-wing shill. She likes to say she's bi-partisan, but really she's just an opportunistic politician and can very often take reality-based positions. Healthcare is one where she is sometimes on the right side of history. With the 47 Democratic Senators + Bernie, we only need 3 more to block any awful Senate votes - if they are cleared for straight-up majority votes. The pressure is going to be hard on her and the blue dog Dems, but with the healthcare of millions of their constituents at stake - we may be able to win some votes on Obamacare repeal and Medicare privatization.

[wordpix]

8. "not something that appeals to me"---are you for privatizing or not? Yes or no?

Stop waffling. Yes or no will suffice and we'll take it from there.

[Ligyron]

9. It hurts like hell to get shot

but right now I'm glad I'm in the VA healthcare system.

Pissed about the threats to my fellow Dem's healthcare with these jerk in full control.

Remember the last time a GOPer was President?

Yeah, it's going to be worse.

[bekkilyn]

10. Unfortunately, the VA seems to be another target. (nt)

[Ligyron]

14. Yeah, saw that, maybe we'll get chits.

But I doubt it, too many reliable GOPers from the military and I think the PTB would be afraid to mess with that many dependable voters. Most like the VA and it's a good system for preventative care and drugs. Surgery? meh.

[cstanleytech]

12. Translation shes a bit hesitant to pull the trigger and shoot herself but if she thinks

she can get away with killing granny and still remain in office she will.

[Blue Idaho]

27. Well, she can't.

There is no national appetite to gut the healthcare system we have and replace it with tort reform and interstate insurance policies. Americans ain't so stupid that they will follow republicans off this cliff. If the GOP decides to fuck over millions of Americans while raising the rates on every single policy - they can reap the whirlwind of hatred.

[rpannier]

34. I've seen news stories where it's rumored she's going to run in 2018

for Governor of Maine

[Spitfire of ATJ]

13. Give a Republican a vote on jobs and they believe you support their entire agenda.

[ProfessorPlum]

15. "not something that appeals to me. Gee, ya think?

Did Trumpleforeskin run on abolishing Medicare? Fuckers.

[turbinetree]

16. I will nice to Collins------------------not

Your a fascist republican, you have voted more times against your constituents than what you have led them to believe, your a blatant partisan right wing republican. You go around all the time and say that your uneasy about this or that legislation, but then you turn right around and vote for it------------------really


And has for Lamar FU and the horse you road you in on, ----patience my ass , your a fascist also.

Why don't your side kick from Maine, Collins just come right out and say that your are not going to repeal it and you will not tolerate vouchers for Medicare and Social Security or Medicaid, why not, you hypocrite, because I, we and everyone that has paid into the system on an individual basis don't want you or your lackeys on Wall Street to get there hands on it,.

I made a conscience decision over 45 years ago to have my paycheck deduction to go to my individual program, I / we don't trust your oligarchy friends or you, your track record is not to be trusted.

[C Moon]

17. Now that they're in power, they want to hold on to it: they know their vision for the US

is ONLY for themselves, and that won't sell to voters in 2018.

[Sunlei]

18. ONE Republican finally speaks the truth "(Medicare) that by and large serves seniors well".

[beachbum bob]

19. Conservative zealots don't rule the Senate..2018 isn't far away

And mad dog politics will drive Americans away from trump and conservatives. McConnel understands this....and he needs democrats to filibuster....to give him cover

[JudyM]

20. So Collins & Alexander, at least, seem to have felt the strength of populist sentiment, a good sign.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

21. Perhaps it's dawning

on some of the Republicans that nearly EVERYONE is on Medicare eventually. And that it's not (nor should it be) means tested.

At least some of them probably have mother, grandmothers, elderly uncles, older brothers, cousins, who are on Medicare, and who depend on Social Security for a significant part of their income. I suspect those relatives are all coming down very hard on the Republicans.

[NBachers]

22. Don't put any faith in Susan Collins. She talks one way and always walks the other.

[Retrograde]

23. In other words, she wants to get re-elected

and killing Medicare would hurt her chances

[vlyons]

24. Republicans don't give a god damned rat's ass about hurting people

They're all a bunch of criminals and Fascists. They all belong to the "God loves me, but not you" church of self righteous hypocracy.

[Hekate]

25. KnR

[red dog 1]

28. K&R, thanks for posting, DonViejo

From Democracy For America, December 4, 2016

The battle to protect Medicare from Donald trump and Paul Ryan is heating up fast - and Paul Ryan is already feeling defensive.
Just yesterday, he claimed we had nothing to worry about:
"This is the latest wave of Democratic talking points to try and play
'Medicare politics,' which is what they typically do every other Tuesday"
(Paul Ryan quoted in The Hill, 12/1/16)

Don't believe him..Paul Ryan has spent his entire career in Congress trying to destroy Medicare.
He has repeatedly said he wants to cut benefits, privatize Medicare, and make it harder and more expensive for people to get health care.
Seniors would have to spend more they don't have getting the care they need.

Donald Trump has already proven he'll help Paul Ryan destroy Medicare,
and he picked Tom Price, an extremist anti-Medicare zealot to become the Secretary of health and Human Services...Price has already suggested Republicans could act quickly in 2017 to destroy Medicare.

We know we can stop them - because we stopped George W. Bush when he tried the same attack on Social Security.
The secret: Mobilize the public to unite Democrats against any attack on Medicare, and go on offense against Republicans - This is exactly what DFA plans to do.

STOP TRUMP: Tell Democrats To Protect Medicare Now
http://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/stop_trump_medicare/

[geretogo]

29. The Rethuglicons just came out with a replacement for Obama care ;

" don't get sick , if you do die quickly " . They are such pro life Christians .

[Dawson Leery]

30. She is a top takeover target in 2020.

She knows this.