Could they please just not.
Could they please just not. Stefan Zaklin

For the last couple weeks, we've been playing the will-they-won't-they game with the Republican attempt to revive their failed Obamacare repeal bill / massive tax cut for the rich at the expense of the poor and elderly. On Tuesday, Congressman Tom MacArthur (R-NJ) answered that question by adding an amendment to the American Health Care Act so odious that bloodthirsty Freedom Caucus members are already endorsing it. The newly amended bill could see a vote in the House as early as THIS FRIDAY. But how could a bill that kicks 24 million people off of health insurance be worse, you ask?

According to CNN, MacArthur's amendment would "allow states to apply for waivers from several key Obamacare insurance reforms aimed at giving those with pre-existing conditions access to affordable, comprehensive policies." Good luck trying to find health insurance, people with pre-existing conditions who live in states that refused to expand Medicaid!

Of course, Representatives trying to push this bill through again won't need that luck: "The amendment specifically says the waivers could not apply to members of Congress and their staffs, who are required to obtain coverage on the exchanges under Obamacare." What's good enough for their constituents, apparently, isn't good enough for them.

Right now, Paul Ryan and the White House are trying to convince Republicans who pretend to be moderate to vote for the bill. If you don't want your local congressperson to vote for this new version of the bill, now would be a good time to call them and tell them how you feel. Here's a little list:


In March, Washington state's most elusive representative, Dave Reichert (Auburn), only considered pulling his support from the AHCA once Ryan & Co. started gutting protections to appease the Freedom Caucus. His staffers are in D.C. right now, waiting to hear from you. Why not give them a ring? (202) 225-7761

Jaime Herrera Beutler ended up opposing the AHCA, but only late in the game, and only because the bill included a $800 billion cut to Medicaid.

“While I appreciate this week’s effort by Speaker Ryan and his leadership team to better protect older Americans from health-care cost increases, the difficulties this bill would create for millions of children were left unaddressed,” she said in a statement back in March.

Wonder what she thinks about leaving coverage of children with pre-existing conditions up to the states? Maybe give her a ring? (202) 225-3536

Reichert and Herrera Beutler have not responded to my requests for comment. As always, I'll let you know if they get back to me on this or anything else ever.