Better than working across the aisle

For years now, people have railed against the Affordable Care Act, more commonly known as Obamacare.

Republicans in Congress have decried it and in more than 50 attempts have tried to abolish it. Consumers over the years have complained about costs and its requirements and weaknesses.

The recent presidential campaign was rife with declarations, demands and promises to “repeal and replace” it.

So far, six months into the new administration, no progress toward its repeal and replacement has occurred. Republicans, who own the presidency and both houses of Congress, have failed to accomplish either a repeal or a replacement despite seven years of effort.

One reason for their failure is that the alternatives they propose do not improve the program and threaten to leave too many uninsured. Even the recent “skinny” repeal effort failed.

Few Americans are enamored with the Republican alternatives. Even after seven years, the proposed changes are rushed and ill considered.

So, after all the furor and all the recriminations the deal is not done.

And, it many never be done. That is unless both parties work together to craft a bill that satisfies their needs and, more particularly, the needs of American citizens.

The two dominant political parties must endeavor to solve this festering problem.

Democrats, for the most part, must realize that there are weaknesses in ACA that need to be corrected.

Republicans must realize that there is value in parts of the program.

Just because Republicans after so many years of unremitting criticism have not been able to come up with an acceptable alternative doesn't mean there isn't one. And, just because Democrats haven't widely recognized problems with it doesn’t mean there aren't any legitimate and needed fixes.

The current dysfunction of the legislative branch, along with executive confusion and contradictions, do not give much hope for resolution.

Before changing Obamacare, the leaders of this country must change their approach to governance. That doesn't appear to be coming soon.

Instead of working across the aisle, Republicans in the Senate may well move on to other issues. The gamble of getting some legislative wins elsewhere is apparently better than working with Democrats on health care.

Gordon Forgey

Publisher