DAVE ROSS

Trump decides tonight if health care is a right

Feb 28, 2017, 7:28 AM | Updated: 9:13 am

Listen to KIRO Radio at 6 p.m. as President Trump makes his first address to Congress. Full analysis to follow.

Is health care a right or not?

President Trump addresses Congress tonight. And he’ll be face to face with members who just got an earful back home about repealing Obamacare.

You probably heard the latest poll from Pew research that Obamacare has a 54 percent approval rating — its highest ever. But most of that approval is from Democrats, who are 85 percent in favor, while Republicans remain 89 percent opposed – and they, of course,  run the government.

Related: Gov. Jay Inslee is very ‘disturbed’ after Trump meeting

However, here’s the thing about that– you have some really sick people who see health insurance as a matter of life and death. That’s some serious skin in the game. And they, and their families, are going to bring some energy to this fight.

You remember the Tea Party tax protests — they also brought some serious outrage to the table, and it was amazing. Especially since it came at a time when taxes were actually being cut! No matter – they successfully flipped the House to the Republicans.

Well, the Obamacare movement seems to have some energy too– and it’s not based on an illusion:  the president has said repeatedly Obamacare is gone, and it will be replaced by the free market.

“You’re going to have plans that are so good because we’re going to have so much competition,” Trump said.

And he had said says he hopes no one will be left out.

“We want the answer to be no one but I will say, millions of people will be happy,” Trump has said.

He also told the Washington Post his goal was insurance for everybody. But he could remove all doubt in tonight’s speech.

Tonight, one of two things will happen. He will either stand up and say “health care is a right,” or he will not. And that will tell you all you need to know about what’s ahead.

Dave's Commentary

Dave Ross on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM
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Trump decides tonight if health care is a right