Republican legislators have been hard at work drafting a bill to replace the Affordable Care Act. Recent weeks have shown numerous disagreements between different party members as to whose draft is the best. House Speaker Paul Ryan has repeatedly promised that the new draft will soon be unveiled to the public. The newly written Republican bill to replace the Act is rumored to be hidden somewhere on Capitol Hill. Various news outlets had reported that Republicans would be able to see the bill firsthand on Thursday, March 1. On Thursday, however, reporters and legislators alike had their efforts to find the bill go unrewarded.
Reports said that Republican legislators viewing the bill would be briefed secretly. They would neither receive copies of it nor would they get to take the copies home. Instead, the legislations would be aired in an undisclosed room where they would remain locked. Republican senators, as well as Democrat House members, would be left out in these secret briefings.
On the morning of March 2nd, however, the legislators planned to be locked out of the scheme decided to do things their way. With rumors spreading that the bill was being kept in room H-157, the legislators made their way there. The room, a nondescript meeting place in the House of Representatives, was guarded by Capitol Police. Lawmakers found them standing at the entrance as numerous reporters stood outside, waiting in anticipation for the legislation to occur.
Senator Rand Paul, the Congress representative for Kentucky, was the first to arrive at the room’s entrance. He appeared to have with him a mobile printer. The senator was quickly denied entry. After being denied access, he told reporters, “We’re here asking for written copy of this because this should be an open and transparent process. This is being presented as if it’s a national secret. As if it’s a plot to invade another country.”
Next in line to arrive at the scene and also be denied entry was a Democrat from New York, Rep. Paul Tonko. Tonko serves on the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee with Rep. Frank Pallone. He said Pallone had knowledge of the bill’s supposed location and shared it with him. “Ranking member [Rep. Frank Pallone] knew about the number, I don’t know if it was shared officially, so we came over here to read the bill,” he said to reporters. Tonko further stated that he was informed that the bill was not in room H-157. He said he also did not receive any information on where the bill was.
No bill here. These were the news, Kevin Brady, Chair of the Ways and Means Committee exited room H-157 with. He said he was in the room for a meeting with Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker. Mr. Walker chairs the Republican Governors Association. “There’s no bill in here,” Brady said. On being asked about information concerning its location, Brady responded, “You’ll have to ask someone who has the bill.”
Democratic legislators arrived last at the race to room H-157. They included Minority Whip, Steny Hoyer. A staff member from the Congress allowed Mr. Hoyer into the room, into which he walked in and found neither people nor the bill. The last strike. Following questions from reporters, Hoyer responded, “There were comments that it was in Room H-157. I’ve looked in the Ways and Means Room. I’ve looked in the Ways and Means Conference Room, I’ve looked here, I’ve asked [Brady] if he knew where it was. And we cannot find the bill. “
Following his unsuccessful attempt, Hoyer left the room and began speaking to a bust of Abraham Lincoln that stood in the hallway. “Mr. Lincoln, I can’t find the bill. Mr. Lincoln, you said public sentiment is everything. But if I can’t see the bill, they can’t give us their sentiment. That’s not regular order. That’s not democracy. That’s not good for our people. I know, Mr. Lincoln, that you are as upset with your party as I am.”
Soon after, the crowd gathered outside the room dispersed.
This recent incident is just one of the problems Republicans have faced in their efforts to have a successful bill to replace the Affordable Healthcare Act.
Some Republican legislators have received a lot of negativity on the GOP’s aim to replace Obamacare. The non-support from their constituents has been received because President Trump’s new plan may not cover as many as the 20 million people Obamacare does. Lack of support from voters could directly influence the lengths of some Republicans’ political careers since the voters elected them into legislation in the first place. On February 21st, Rep. Dave Brat received a lot of hostility from his constituents who were against the healthcare act. “The problem is Obamacare has just collapsed,” he said. “No it has not!” the crowd began shouting.
On February 27th, Rep. Mark Walker who leads the largest group of House Conservatives said he could not support the GOP’s existing Obamacare replacement strategy. He further said he would not recommend his colleagues to do so either. He said that the emerging healthcare plan would seem to create a new, expensive entitlement program. This announcement showed a significant lack of unity between sectors in President Trump’s party.
Another problem altogether has been the lack of confidentiality within the GOP’s flanks. This issue was highlighted by a leaked draft of the replacement bill which received a lot of public scrutiny. The bill was, at the time of its leaking, two weeks old. Despite its age, however, it has been a subject of controversy among members of Congress. No modifications to the bill have been admitted by Republican legislators as they made last-minute efforts to complete the bill and table it in time. This is in line with President Trump’s promise to have a new healthcare system in place by mid-March.
Numerous disagreements between the progressive and conservative Republicans have occurred on the bill’s drafting, with either side supporting their versions of how they think the healthcare sector should get a facelift. Conservative in the legislation carry enough votes to frustrate efforts to replace the healthcare system if they feel they are at a disadvantage. Nevertheless, following the President’s address to Congress on February 28th, both sections of the parties believed that the President supported their varying opinions.
Efforts are still, however, underway to actualize a new healthcare act and replace Obamacare, which has been deemed more expensive by some Americans. Republicans still have some time to table the bill and begin its implementation in the healthcare system, but time is running out. It’s running out fast.
