Donald Trump warned Republicans on Wednesday to not let Schumer clowns off the hook for ObamaCares shortcomings, a reference to Senate Democratic leader Charles Schumer.
The president-elect tweeted the advice as President Obama huddled with Schumer and congressional Democrats on how to save the signature health care law, while Vice President-elect Mike Pence met with Republicans on how to dismantle it.
Republicans must be careful in that the Dems own the failed ObamaCare disaster, with its poor coverage and massive premium increases like the 116% hike in Arizona, Trump tweeted just as the dueling Capitol meetings kicked off.
Also, deductibles are so high that it is practically useless.
He said the health care failures should be pinned solely on Democrats.
Dont let the Schumer clowns out of this web. Massive increases of ObamaCare will take place this year and Dems are to blame for the mess. It will fall of its own weight be careful!
Republicans believe they have a mandate to repeal Obamas health care law immediately, but there are divisions on how and when to replace it.
Democrats dont have the votes to block repeal of key provisions of the law such as the individual mandate and tax subsidies. But Republicans need some Democratic support to achieve the 60 votes necessary to enact a replacement plan.
Trump has said he wants Americans to have universal access to health care and no lapse in coverage between repeal and replacement. He pledged to retain popular provisions of the law, such as insuring people with pre-existing condition and allowing coverage for children until age 26 on their parents plans. Its unclear how he would pay for all of this while dismantling the individual mandate.
Schumer is mounting a campaign to try to make repealing ObamaCare politically toxic by focusing on some 20 million insured who could lose coverage. His slogan is a spinoff of Trumps signature campaign motto: Make America Sick Again!
Less health care and it will cost more, Schumer told Politico.
And it will create chaos. Because you cannot repeal a plan and put nothing in its place. It doesnt matter if you say the repeal wont take place for a year or two years.
Schumer is also portraying any rollback of ObamaCare as a threat to popular programs like Medicare.
Our message is not just on ObamaCare. Our message is dont cut health care, Schumer said. Medicare. Medicaid. ObamaCare.
Millions of Americans in 32 states including Pences constituents in his home state of Indiana have gained health care coverage through ObamaCares expanded Medicaid program. Others have bought coverage with tax subsidies through private plans on ObamaCare health care exchanges.