The first thing I noticed is how this doesn't sound like Trump at all. I think I can do better.
So I'm writing something like what I think Trump might say instead with >s. I skipped a few, though.
(Gosh, dumbing my writing down to Trump's level is HARD)
Since March of 2010, the American people have had to suffer under the incredible economic burden of the Affordable Care Act—Obamacare. This legislation, passed by totally partisan votes in the House and Senate and signed into law by the most divisive and partisan President in American history, has tragically but predictably resulted in runaway costs, websites that don’t work, greater rationing of care, higher premiums, less competition and fewer choices. Obamacare has raised the economic uncertainty of every single person residing in this country. As it appears Obamacare is certain to collapse of its own weight, the damage done by the Democrats and President Obama, and abetted by the Supreme Court, will be difficult to repair unless the next President and a Republican congress lead the effort to bring much-needed free market reforms to the healthcare industry.
> Obama and the Democrats are a terrible failure! Obamacare is failing! It's a millstone on the economy's neck (wait, does a fifth grader know what a millstone is?)! You know, I heard the Democrats tried to cut a deal, made Obamacare even more conservative than "Romneycare," but the Republicans refused to budge. I'm sure they had a reason. I hear they might be racists. I don't know, that's what people tell me. vOv
> Our insurance companies never win anymore! You know why? It's because Congress passed a bill to stop the government from paying them, and Obama signed it into law! ["risk corridors" - actually stopping the government from compensating them for losses before they reach profitability]
> The free market is great, and I'm really rich. I know how to make the healthcare industry work for you.
But none of these positive reforms can be accomplished without Obamacare repeal. On day one of the Trump Administration, we will ask Congress to immediately deliver a full repeal of Obamacare.
[/quote]
> Obamacare must go! Individual mandate? No more! Forced to buy contraception? No more! Forced to bake cakes for gay weddings? No more!
[spoiler=However, it is not enough to simply repeal this terrible legislation]
However, it is not enough to simply repeal this terrible legislation. We will work with Congress to make sure we have a series of reforms ready for implementation that follow free market principles and that will restore economic freedom and certainty to everyone in this country. By following free market principles and working together to create sound public policy that will broaden healthcare access, make healthcare more affordable and improve the quality of the care available to all Americans.
> We're gonna knock down all the walls between you and the best deal. You just have to look for it!
Any reform effort must begin with Congress. Since Obamacare became law, conservative Republicans have been offering reforms that can be delivered individually or as part of more comprehensive reform efforts. In the remaining sections of this policy paper, several reforms will be offered that should be considered by Congress so that on the first day of the Trump Administration, we can start the process of restoring faith in government and economic liberty to the people.
> MAKE GOVERNMENT GREAT AGAIN. MAKE LIBERTY GREAT AGAIN. WE'RE GONNA FIX THE LIBERTY BELL, PUT IT IN A PLANE, HOOK IT TO A MONSTER AMP, AND FLY IT OVER ISIS RINGING IT 24/7. YEAH!
Congress must act. Our elected representatives in the House and Senate must:
1. Completely repeal Obamacare. Our elected representatives must eliminate the individual mandate. No person should be required to buy insurance unless he or she wants to.
> Obamacare's costing too many good, hardworking folk too much money! I'll free you from the constant payments, and I'll free the insurance companies to take cost-cutting measures! [Like refusing to accept applicants with cancer]
2. Modify existing law that inhibits the sale of health insurance across state lines. As long as the plan purchased complies with state requirements, any vendor ought to be able to offer insurance in any state. By allowing full competition in this market, insurance costs will go down and consumer satisfaction will go up.
Trump's proposed this before. It's too bad the insurance companies don't actually want it.
Insurers have been muted in their enthusiasm for G.O.P. across-state-lines plans. Neither America’s Health Insurance Plans, the lobbying group for most private insurers, nor the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association have endorsed such a plan when it has come before Congress.
...
Beyond regulations and doctors, demographics help explain why insurance is cheaper in some places than others. Insurance tends to be less expensive in states like Utah and Colorado, where more people are young and healthy. If customers in New York wanted to start buying Utah plans, they might face two surprises: fewer local doctors and higher costs related to the health of the local population.
“I’ve tried for 10 years to explain this to Republicans; it is a big problem,” said Merrill Matthews, a resident scholar at the Institute for Policy Innovation, which focuses on free-market solutions to policy problems. “Just because a good affordable policy is available in another state doesn’t mean that I would be able to get the network of physicians and the good prices that are available in that other state.”
3. Allow individuals to fully deduct health insurance premium payments from their tax returns under the current tax system. Businesses are allowed to take these deductions so why wouldn’t Congress allow individuals the same exemptions? As we allow the free market to provide insurance coverage opportunities to companies and individuals, we must also make sure that no one slips through the cracks simply because they cannot afford insurance. We must review basic options for Medicaid and work with states to ensure that those who want healthcare coverage can have it.
4. Allow individuals to use Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Contributions into HSAs should be tax-free and should be allowed to accumulate. These accounts would become part of the estate of the individual and could be passed on to heirs without fear of any death penalty. These plans should be particularly attractive to young people who are healthy and can afford high-deductible insurance plans. These funds can be used by any member of a family without penalty. The flexibility and security provided by HSAs will be of great benefit to all who participate.
> Who wrote this!? It wasn't me! Who is it even aimed at? Obviously not you, my followers!
My victims... HSAs are saving money for health emergencies - sounds appealing until you consider that if you're so poor that you already can't afford to save money, you also can't afford to put anything into a HSA, and the exorbitant cost of any treatment for any kind of emergency, or cancer or the like, is probably going to far outstrip your savings, just like has been the case for people who tried to save and not buy insurance.
5. Require price transparency from all healthcare providers, especially doctors and healthcare organizations like clinics and hospitals. Individuals should be able to shop to find the best prices for procedures, exams or any other medical-related procedure.
> I love finding the best price. I'm great at it. I'm gonna teach you to be great at it too. All the time. [If you're having a heart attack, you're probably not in any position to be able to price-shop, considering that time matters. And so on for other emergencies. And not everyone has the time.]
6. Block-grant Medicaid to the states. Nearly every state already offers benefits beyond what is required in the current Medicaid structure. The state governments know their people best and can manage the administration of Medicaid far better without federal overhead. States will have the incentives to seek out and eliminate fraud, waste and abuse to preserve our precious resources.
I had to google block grant. Apparently it's
not a good thing.
7. Remove barriers to entry into free markets for drug providers that offer safe, reliable and cheaper products. Congress will need the courage to step away from the special interests and do what is right for America. Though the pharmaceutical industry is in the private sector, drug companies provide a public service. Allowing consumers access to imported, safe and dependable drugs from overseas will bring more options to consumers.
Definitely not Trump. I'd have expected him to say the opposite:
> I hear China puts poison in their drugs, that's why we don't import cheap Chinese drugs in America. Remember the pet food scandal, when tainted chinese pet food killed so many poor pets? That's what they want to do to us! I'll cut a better deal with the American drug companies for you, and get them to raise prices in Europe to make up for the lost revenue.
8. The reforms outlined above will lower healthcare costs for all Americans. They are simply a place to start. There are other reforms that might be considered if they serve to lower costs, remove uncertainty and provide financial security for all Americans. And we must also take actions in other policy areas to lower healthcare costs and burdens. Enforcing immigration laws, eliminating fraud and waste and energizing our economy will relieve the economic pressures felt by every American. It is the moral responsibility of a nation’s government to do what is best for the people and what is in the interest of securing the future of the nation.
> WE'RE GONNA BUILD THE WALL! AND WHO'S GOING TO PAY FOR IT? THAT'S RIGHT! MEXICO! AND WE'RE GONNA SEND TED CRUZ BACK TO CANADA! AND WE'LL MAKE THEM AND EUROPE PAY FOR OUR HEALTH CARE!
Providing healthcare to illegal immigrants costs us some $11 billion annually. If we were to simply enforce the current immigration laws and restrict the unbridled granting of visas to this country, we could relieve healthcare cost pressures on state and local governments.
> We're gonna round up all the illegals and ship them home! And we'll get El Chapo in American custody, so I can make him head of the DEA! You know he's an expert on drug-running! He knows all the secrets!
To reduce the number of individuals needing access to programs like Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program we will need to install programs that grow the economy and bring capital and jobs back to America. The best social program has always been a job – and taking care of our economy will go a long way towards reducing our dependence on public health programs.
> China and Mexico are stealing our jobs and I'm going to bring them back to reduce the number of people on the government teat!
Finally, we need to reform our mental health programs and institutions in this country. Families, without the ability to get the information needed to help those who are ailing, are too often not given the tools to help their loved ones. There are promising reforms being developed in Congress that should receive bi-partisan support.
> I don't like Congress, but I'll cut deals with them to help sick people! [He doesn't even need to say mental health, does he? He can hit all notes at once and also sound like a bigot by saying 'sick'.]
To reform healthcare in America, we need a President who has the leadership skills, will and courage to engage the American people and convince Congress to do what is best for the country. These straightforward reforms, along with many others I have proposed throughout my campaign, will ensure that together we will Make America Great Again.
> I'm great at business, and I'm really rich. TRUMP 2016! I can't wait to put the Lincoln bedroom on airbnb.
Author
Topic: Murrican Politics Megathread 2016: There Will Be Hell Toupée (Read 1543856 times)