The House of Representatives is expected to vote on the American Health Care Act on Thursday. The bill is disappointing since it is not a full repeal of ObamaCare which breaks the campaign promise made by Republicans. The legislation is a mix of Republican ideas and ObamaCare elements. Importantly, according to the Congressional Budget Office, health care premiums will go up between 15 percent to 20 percent above current rates over its first two years. To be successful, Republicans need a plan that drives down costs for American families. Also troubling is the Republican plan is a three step process that requires regulatory changes and new legislation. The latter elements will face court challenges and Democrat resistance in the Senate. The conservative members of the Freedom Caucus must block the bill to keep their promise to voters that helped elect them and gave Republicans control of the federal government. If the Freedom Caucus caves they will own a heath care bill that violates their principles and will deal a devastating blow to voters that counted on them to advance small government policies.
