Oh shut up, Lindsey Graham
If the Republican Party’s actions this week haven’t been dangerous and insensitive enough, Lindsey Graham just went on the radio to unveil even more draconian legislation the GOP has up its sleeve. “If we can get the House back and keep our majority in the Senate, and President Trump wins reelection,” said Graham during an interview on The Morning Answer with Joey Hudson, “I can promise you not only are we going to repeal Obamacare, we’re going to do it in a smart way where South Carolina will be the biggest winner.”
Even though healthcare was the driving issue that brought most voters to the polls in 2018, and caused Republicans to lose badly, Graham has no qualms about making healthcare the issue again next year – openly bragging about a plan that would take away insurance from 21 million Americans.
When he says South Carolina would be the biggest winner, he means that he would block state grants and end the Affordable Care Act’s expansion of Medicaid for low-income adults. The plan he discussed in the interview is largely identical to legislation he led in 2017, with a bill to repeal Obamacare even named after him that failed to pass by one vote.
Republicans now have 53 seats in the Senate, and John McCain who famously saved the repeal last time is no longer serving. If they were to retake the House, Graham’s devious scheme could easily take place – and cause a ripple of devastating effects across the American healthcare system, affecting even people who don’t rely on Obamacare. In fact, the only ones who would benefit would be Graham and his wealthy donors, which is essentially the point.
Unfortunately, by opening his mouth, Graham may have made things that much worse for the GOP and Donald Trump, whose White House confirmed they were working on a top secret health plan that wouldn’t be revealed until after the election was over. Yet again, Republicans have been caught without one. Now it’s just a matter of making sure they won’t be in a position to unveil anything in 2021.
James Sullivan is the assistant editor of Brain World Magazine and an advocate of science-based policy making