DAVE ROSS

GOP’s ‘Obamacare’ repeal could equal tax increases in Washington

Sep 25, 2017, 2:15 PM | Updated: 3:53 pm

States that expanded Medicaid and had at least some success in getting more people to sign up for health insurance with reduced costs will likely lose billions if the GOP health care bill is approved.

KIRO Radio’s Dave Ross points out that because Washington state jumped in to help those less fortunate, the state is now going to lose money until it is equal with states that didn’t.

State Medicaid Director MaryAnne Lindeblad said that’s essentially “a fair statement.”

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But if that happens, it would mean taxpayers may have to pick up the slack. This reform bill, Dave asked, essentially becomes a tax increase for Washington?

Lindeblad says it will either be a tax increase or “we will lose coverage and lose what we gained…”

Listen to the entire interview here.

The effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, commonly referred to as Obamacare, faces solid Democratic opposition in a narrowly-controlled Republican Senate. The Associated Press reports Sen. Rand Paul remained opposed to the bill on Monday. Sen. John McCain and Sen. Ted Cruz have also voiced opposition. Ditto for Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, who seems “likely to do the same.” Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska is undecided but opposed previous GOP bills.

It’s crunch time for Republicans hoping to replace “Obamacare.” A vote must occur this week if they want to win with the narrow margin in the Senate. The Associated Press reports that next Sunday, protections expire against a Democratic filibuster.

This final hope comes in the form of a measure from GOP Senators Bill Cassidy and Lindsey Graham.

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GOP’s ‘Obamacare’ repeal could equal tax increases in Washington