It is hard to find a Republican who advocates the Affordable Care Act. Since the policy’s instatement in 2010, Republicans have been trying to eliminate it. And now, their hopes and dreams are coming true, as President-elect Donald Trump moves into the White House. Throughout his campaign, Trump spoke of different policies that he intended to establish; however, these policy forecasts often lacked detail.
And now, with all of the commotion of the inauguration, the American populous is left wondering: what’s about to happen to American health care?
The simple answer to this question? Obamacare is about to be demolished. The Republicans in the House and Senate have already passed a measure to introduce a bill that will ultimately repeal the health reform law.
The complex answer is that we are about to find out. Measures taken already call for the House and Senate to produce repeal legislation. And with a repeal under way, it will be necessary for a replacement plan to be established.
“It’ll be repeal and replace. It will be essentially, simultaneously,” Trump said in a news conference. However, no details of said replacement plan have been released.
Nearly 20 million Americans gained healthcare under the Affordable Care Act. Their insurance is now at stake.
What concerns many Democrats and others is the speed at which this health care act will be created. Developing an affordable care plan for millions of Americans requires quite a bit of thought—and many are afraid that Trump is rushing into things. It will be interesting to see what plays out over the next couple of weeks, as Trump is inaugurated and his policies begin to impact Americans.
Photo: Alex Proimos, CC-BY
Elizabeth Chambers is a health intern with Paste and a freelance writer based out of Athens, Georgia.