tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512362.post587243985464455809..comments2024-03-10T13:59:19.230-04:00Comments on xpostfactoid: Trump threatens ACA marketplace collapse and nuclear blame warAndrew Sprunghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17601269968798865106noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512362.post-42711487927335744482017-03-25T10:35:34.471-04:002017-03-25T10:35:34.471-04:00In his interview with Tucker Carlson the other day...In his interview with Tucker Carlson the other day, Trump mentioned negotiating drug prices, as he has done from time to time. He even referenced a conversation with Elijah Cummings ("He's a congressman") where Cummings came to his office to talk about it, seeming favorable to the idea. It's unclear whether he knows Cummings is a Democrat - a pretty influential Dem as far as I know - because later in the interview he said the Democrats wouldn't vote for anything Trump proposed.<br /><br />Now, I fully understand that Trump's words, even words he's repeatedly repeated (even the "best words"), are not intended to convey useful information, and in no case can he be held accountable for them. Even so, if there was a public way to call his bluff, it's better than nothing. So, why not see if there is support among Dems and a few Republicans to allow the feds to negotiate drug prices? This would be very popular with the public, and I'm pretty sure would free up money that could shore up ACA finances, or just reduce the price tag.<br /><br />I know Dems tried this with Med Part D, and most Republicans are implacably opposed, but it really might be an area where Trump could do the jawboning, cajoling, and "dealmaking" that he believes, and definitely wants us to believe, is right in his yuuuge wheelhouse. You might even be able to sell it as the new Phase One for Obamacare repeal or reform. I don't think Trump would have any trouble claiming that this brilliant idea never occurred to the corrupt Democrats who are totally in Big Pharma's pocket, and that even if it had, Obama lacked the dealmaking skills needed to make it happen. Not Trump. He could move mountains, if only he wasn't such a team player that he was willing to let Ryan drive O-care repeal into a ditch. Geoff Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17117921607237662932noreply@blogger.com