Democrats, Beware the Single-Payer Siren

Democrats who are giddily munching popcorn while watching Republicans struggle with trying to repeal Obamacare may want to put down the tub. They are on the verge of adopting a politically analogous health care plank, one designed to rev up their ideological base in the next campaign, but destined to make the party suffer once in power.

Trump makes push on health bill; repeal-only vote an option

President Donald Trump is making a weekend push to get a Republican Senate bill to repeal and replace former President Barack Obama's health care law "across the finish line," Trump's top legislative aide said Sunday, maintaining that a repeal-only option also remained in play if Republicans can't reach agreement. Marc Short, the White House's legislative director, said Trump was making calls to wavering senators and insisted they were "getting close" on passing a bill.

What led to the GOP’s massive health care fail? And what happens next?

This victory could begin to turn the tide - but the right's long war against the welfare state is nowhere near over The spectacular failure of the GOP's Obamacare repeal efforts - reminding us all of the original meaning of "house of cards" - should be looked on as a gift, with all the uncertainty, as well as promise, that gifts always entail. Twenty-two million people will not lose their health care - at least not yet.

Why the Senate’s plan to replace Obamacare hurts Louisiana worse than any other state

Jessica Michot, center, left and Angela Lorio, center right, speak in favor of the benefits of Medicaid as Parents, children and healthcare providers gather at the Baton Rouge office of Sen. Bill Cassidy to urge him and other senators to avoid cuts to Medicaid. Parents, children and healthcare providers hold signs and gather in the atrium at the Baton Rouge office of Sen. Bill Cassidy to urge him and other senators to avoid cuts to Medicaid.

Rauner, lawmakers working holiday weekend as major obstacles remain to deal

Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, asked New York bond rating agencies on Friday to hold off on downgrading the state's credit rating to junk status as budget negotiations continued. Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, asked New York bond rating agencies on Friday to hold off on downgrading the state's credit rating to junk status as budget negotiations continued.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., speaks to the audience …

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., speaks to the audience at the Lincoln Day Dinner, Friday, June 30, 2017, in Elizabethtown, Ky. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., speaks to the audience at the Lincoln Day Dinner, Friday, June 30, 2017, in Elizabethtown, Ky.

Trump suggests just repeal Obamacare, then try to replace it

President Donald Trump barged into Senate Republicans' delicate health care negotiations Friday, declaring that if lawmakers can't reach a deal they should simply repeal "Obamacare" right away and then replace it later on. Trump's tweet revives an approach that GOP leaders and the president himself considered but dismissed months ago as impractical and politically unwise.

The Latest: Trump suggests repealing Obama health law now

Trump says: "If Republican Senators are unable to pass what they are working on now, they should immediately REPEAL, and then REPLACE at a later date!" That's an approach advocated by Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul, who's said he opposes the bill, which would do both at once. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell postponed a vote on the bill Tuesday because of opposition from conservatives and moderates.

Senate Republican bill would slash Medicaid by 2036, complicating talks

A U.S. Senate proposal to replace Obamacare would cut spending on government Medicaid for the poor by 35 percent come 2036, a non-partisan congressional research office said on Thursday, further complicating Republican efforts to forge a deal. The Congressional Budget Office report, requested by Senate Democrats, provides a longer-term look at how the Republican plan would affect Medicaid spending as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell searches for a formula to win over the conservative and moderate elements of his Republican caucus.

Trump to Senate Republicans: kill Obamacare now, replace later

U.S. President Donald Trump urged Republican U.S. senators on Friday to repeal Obamacare immediately if they cannot agree on a new health care plan to take its place. Republican leaders have set Friday as the goal for working out changes to Senate legislation that would repeal extensive parts of the 2010 Affordable Care Act, the law dubbed Obamacare that expanded health insurance coverage to 20 million people.

Trump Doesna t Know What a Medicaid Cut IsLike Newt Gingrich back in…

The president either doesn't understand how Medicaid funding levels are set, or is cynically assuming readers of his tweets don't understand it. A presidential tweet yesterday afternoon helps us answer a pertinent question: How does Trump justify supporting GOP health plans that violate his pledge during the campaign to oppose cuts in Medicaid spending? It seems POTUS does not understand how Medicaid funding works, and thus what constitutes a "cut."

Senate Republicans struggle to salvage healthcare effort

The top U.S. Senate Republican struggled on Wednesday to salvage major healthcare legislation sought by President Donald Trump, meeting privately with a parade of skeptical senators as critics within the party urged substantial changes. Republican leaders hope to agree on changes to the legislation by Friday so lawmakers can take it up after next week's Independence Day recess..

UK leader names chair of inquiry into London tower fire

Republicans are touting that premiums would go down under their health care legislation, but that reflects insurance that would cover a smaller share of the cost of medical bills. Republicans are touting that premiums would go down under their health care legislation, but that reflects insurance that would cover a smaller share of the cost of medical bills.