Confrontation Between Democrats and Republicans Over Obama's Healthcare System

On Wednesday, Barack Obama urged Democrats in Congress to defend the healthcare law enacted during his presidency and prevent its repeal by Republicans. Meanwhile, Mike Pence, the Vice President-elect of the United States, stated in a meeting with Republicans in Congress that providing an alternative to Obama's healthcare law would be the top priority of the next administration. Reuters reports that Democrats in Congress have adopted a strategy to warn that the consequences of repealing the Affordable Care Act, or 'Obamacare', without offering a replacement could lead to chaos for millions who benefit from this insurance. According to this report, Republicans believe that this healthcare system is inefficient and that they will repeal the law without cutting insurance services for those covered by it while simultaneously working on a replacement system. On Wednesday, Barack Obama and Mike Pence met behind closed doors with members of Congress to discuss the state of the healthcare system in the upcoming administration. Mike Pence stated that the first action of the next government would be to fulfill the promise to repeal 'Obamacare', and they would replace it with a reformed healthcare system that reduces the cost of providing health insurance without expanding government. Barack Obama, whose presidency ends on January 20, also told reporters after meeting with Democratic members of Congress that his message is to take care of 'the people'. Reuters notes that Democrats know they do not have enough votes in the Senate and House of Representatives to prevent the repeal of 'Obamacare', which is why they are trying to warn about the consequences of repealing this healthcare law. The report adds that without replacing a healthcare system with 'Obamacare' by early 2018, approximately 20 million Americans who use this healthcare system will face problems. Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader in the U.S. Senate, stated that the Republican plan to repeal the U.S. healthcare law will not make America healthier again. Schumer's reference is to Donald Trump's central campaign slogan. The Senate Democratic leader said that repealing the healthcare law would make America sick again and would lead to chaos rather than an affordable healthcare system. Republicans oppose government intervention in the U.S. healthcare system and argue that government involvement in this sector reduces job creation and increases costs for business owners. According to Reuters, since the law was enacted in 2010, Republicans have voted more than 50 times to repeal or amend parts of this healthcare system. Meanwhile, Paul Ryan, the Republican Speaker of the House, stated on Wednesday that 'Obamacare' has disrupted the healthcare system in America. Mike Pence also said that the Trump administration would work with congressional representatives to smoothly replace a market-compliant healthcare system. Donald Trump, the President-elect of the United States, previously stated that he would like to preserve parts of Barack Obama's healthcare program. Earlier, U.S. media reported that two sections—insurance coverage for patients with pre-existing conditions and coverage for individuals under 26 through their parents' insurance—are favored by many Republicans, making it likely that these two key sections of Obama's healthcare system will be preserved.