The timing of “repeal and replace”

The lack of a GOP consensus in regards to plan specifics and timing has become increasingly evident. Photo: AP

With President Obama’s farewell address behind us, and President-elect Trump’s inauguration just around the corner, Republican leaders are focused on the timing of the proposed dismantling of Obama’s signature health care law, the Affordable Care Act. While there is party unity in opposition to the law continuing, the lack of a consensus in regards to plan specifics and timing has become increasingly evident. The issue of timing is an important one, with President-elect Trump stating at a recent press conference that the repeal of the Affordable Care Act and introduction of a replacement plan, “will be essentially simultaneously.”

Senate health committee Chair Lamar Alexander echoed Trump’s preference for a simultaneous repealing and replacing of the law, but specified that, “To me, ‘simultaneously’ and ‘concurrently’ means Obamacare should be finally repealed only when there are concrete, practical reforms in place that give Americans access to truly affordable health care.” Alexander’s sentiments are in line with other “repeal and delay” plans such as that proposed by Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, which would keep most of the Affordable Care Act in place for up to four years while a replacement plan is finalized.