Republicans divided over whether to salvage Obamacare — or replace it — ahead of subsidy deadline
Republicans across the board harbor deep frustrations with the rising costs of the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare. But while some lawmakers believe it’s time to scrap the...
By Fox News · Fox News
Republicans across the board harbor deep frustrations with the rising costs of the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare. But while some lawmakers believe it’s time to scrap the system, others fear a wholesale change may do more harm than good. Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyo., said she struggles to imagine what that change would have to look like. "I don’t know that you can completely remove it," Hageman said. "We have to have stability and certainty in the market." SCALISE ANNOUNCES GOP HEALTHCARE OVERHAUL COMING IN 'NEXT FEW WEEKS' AMID BATTLE OVER EXPIRING SUBSIDIES Rep. Mike Kennedy, R-Utah, agrees with Hageman. "It's not going away anytime soon. I think there are some parts of the Obamacare policies that are positive," Kennedy said. " I don't think people want to see [it] go away. But there are ways to reform this, and it's not just sending more money to insurance companies." On the other hand, lawmakers like Rep. Randy Fine, R-Fla., had a quick answer ready for whether Republicans should consider finding an alternative. "Well, yeah! Obamacare is a failure," Fine said. "That much is very clear." "Borrowing money from your kids and grandkids to hide what something actually costs doesn't lower costs. That's just lying about what they are. I don't think we have a choice because if we stay on the Obamacare path, we will bankrupt the country." Amid other healthcare-related questions, the GOP’s divisions over Obamacare come as Republicans consider whether to extend COVID-era emergency Obamacare subsidies or let the assistance expire at the end of the month. Republicans concerned about the country's fiscal picture hope the elimination of the federal assistance will help bring the country closer to its pre-COVID spending levels. Democrats, by contrast, worry that letting the subsidies expire could leave 90% of the 24 million Obamacare enrollees with higher premiums overnight. REPUBLICAN PITCHES HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS 'ON STEROIDS' THAT AMERICANS COULD USE TO BU…