Don’t be fooled by Trump’s and Republican promises to “repeal and replace” Obamacare. They could repeal it, but they can’t and won’t replace it. They’ve tried for years to come up with a replacement that keeps at least as many people covered. Their “replacement” never appears.
So why do Republicans want to repeal Obamacare and leave millions without insurance? Because it would mean a huge tax windfall for the wealthy.
Repealing Obamacare will put an average of $33,000 of tax cuts in the hands of the richest 1 percent this year alone, and a whopping $197,000 of tax cuts into the hands of the top 0.1 percent.
The 400 highest-income taxpayers (with incomes averaging more than $300 million each) will each receive an average annual tax cut of about $7 million.
It would also increase the taxes of families earning between $10,000 and $75,000 – including just about all of Trump’s working class voters.
So what do we end up with when Republicans repeal Obamacare?
32 million people losing their health insurance
Tens of thousands of Americans dying because they don’t get the medical care they need
Medicare in worse shape
And the rich becoming far richer
This is lunacy. We must stand up to it.
This article was originally posted on Robert Reich’s blog.
FALL FUNDRAISER
If you liked this article, please donate $5 to keep NationofChange online through November.
As Trump’s second term looms, the Senate confirmed David Huitema to lead the Office of Government Ethics. Advocates praise the move, but critics warn of a tough road ahead for government accountability.
Progressives and civil rights groups sound the alarm over legislation that could allow President-elect Trump to strip nonprofits of their tax-exempt status without evidence, threatening free speech and democracy.
Republican vice-presidential nominee J.D. Vance reveals Elon Musk could lead a commission to cut federal spending, with Social Security and the Department of Defense as potential targets. The billionaire’s past decision-making raises concerns about the future of essential programs.
COMMENTS