SEATTLE NEWS ARCHIVES & FEATURES

Dear President Trump: Todd’s message about health care

Jul 6, 2017, 4:29 PM | Updated: 4:30 pm

health care...

In this May 4, 2017, photo, President Donald Trump talks to House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis. in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, after the House pushed through a health care bill. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Mr. President,

You have the opportunity, regarding health care, to be the man who brings prices down and welcomes back innovation. Obamacare outlawed innovation in health insurance but you have an opportunity to reverse that.

RELATED: Let us opt out of the health care bill

New business models await; medical clinics that have yet to be born that won’t have a physical location. New technology that can warn you before you have even gotten sick.

Mr. President you have the opportunity to lower costs by increasing competition.

There are plans on the table that can get us out of this health care mess. Mr. President, you need to rescue the Republicans in Congress from themselves. Full repeal, then, give everyone a year to work on a better plan.

People like Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan aren’t your friends. They are professional Republicans. They will be there longer than you. Take Ted Cruz’s path for health insurance. Let insurance companies sell their own plans.

Mr. President, you could restart one sixth of the American economy, lower prices and encourage competition. You could have America remake health care for everyone.

As always, please listen to the full audio clip for complete context.

Migrants try to cross from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, Friday, July 31, 2026. (AP Ph...

Associated Press

At least 18 die after breach of border between Morocco and Spanish exclave of Ceuta

MADRID (AP) — At least eighteen migrants have died trying to reach the Spanish exclave of Ceuta, where Spain deployed its military after thousands of people breached the border with Morocco and poured into the tiny Spanish territory. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is expected to join Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska in a visit to […]

1 hour ago

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong talks during a primary debate in Milwaukee, Tuesd...

Associated Press

Democratic candidates grapple with past stances on defunding the police ahead of key midterm races

WASHINGTON (AP) — Just months before the midterm elections, Democrats hope to convince voters that lawlessness under President Donald Trump’s administration is the biggest threat to their rights and pocketbooks. But the party’s past debates over crime and safety threaten to undermine that pitch. Across the country, Democratic candidates are grappling with their previous positions […]

4 hours ago

FILE - A sign for Camp David, the presidential retreat, is pictured near Thurmont, Md., Aug. 18, 20...

Associated Press

Trump is taking his Friday Cabinet meeting on the road to Camp David

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is taking Friday’s Cabinet meeting on the road — to the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland, a rustic backdrop for sessions that have come to be known for being overly long and consumed by administration officials’ endless praise for their boss. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said […]

4 hours ago

Shon Barnes (3)...

Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin Show

‘What A-list person would come to Seattle’: Former King County sheriff warns replacing Shon Barnes will be difficult

With Shon Barnes on the way out, former King County Sheriff John Urquhart said the city is paying the price for years of churn at the top.

7 hours ago

Andre Sayles...

KIRO 7 News Staff

Who is Andre Sayles? What we know about Seattle’s new interim police chief

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson announced on Thursday that she has accepted the resignation of Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes.

7 hours ago

Katie Wilson (3)...

Julia Dallas

‘Information could have gone out much faster’: Mayor Katie Wilson addresses 5-hour delay after Bite of Seattle shooting

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson addressed the five-hour information delay from the city following a shooting at the Bite of Seattle on Sunday.

8 hours ago

Dear President Trump: Todd’s message about health care