After 15 Years of Trying to Repeal ‘Obamacare’ — We Get This?
- William Robinson
- Dec 31, 2025
- 6 min read
After Over 100 Repeal Votes You Would Think they Would Have a Plan!
Marching people dressed in red carrying signs that read ‘MEDICARE FOR ALL’ — Image by portside.org
With the ACA, how many times has Trump said ‘I have a plan…’? How many times have the Republicans said ‘we have a plan…’? And they still have no plan.
What amazes me about OUR political system is the failure in addressing the problems that are most pressing on the ‘Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness’ of We The People.
I think it’s clear that our #1 issue, as you already know, is Affordability. Also known as ‘The Rent Is Just Too Damn High!’.
No candidate or political party can claim they will fix it overnight. Both parties, but more so the Republican Party, contributed significantly to America’s Affordability problem by passing two major trade bills that have cost America hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of good paying jobs.
Fixing two birds with one stone: Universal Healthcare
NOTE: If the Republican Party does come up with a healthcare plan I truly doubt it will address the real needs of the People — but instead the needs of the Insurance, Pharmaceutical and Medical industries. I base it on the analysis below of how the same party overwhelmingly supported the trade agreements that workers steadfastly fought against, while the corporations and CEO’s were salivating like rabid dogs. Who has won — the workers or the CEO’s?
First, let’s look at the two acts that Congress passed that have played one of the largest roles in America’s lowering of our standard of living.
Affordability — sorry my fellow Americans, this day has been coming at us for 40 years, but especially since NAFTA went into effect 32 years ago on January 1, 1994.
Note that NAFTA was a VERY BI-PARTISAN Act as President Reagan first proposed the idea in 1980, George H.W. Bush started negotiations, Clinton signed it into law in October, 1993. The Senate voted with 61 Senators in favor (27 Democrats and 34 Republicans in favor). Those against it were 28 Democrats and 10 Republicans. The House voted with 336 Representatives in favor (102 Democrats and 234 Republicans in favor). In OUR House, 157 Democrats and 43 Republicans voted against.
In summary, 84% of the Republicans in Congress voted in favor; while 42% of Democrats voted in favor, with 58% against. It was signed by Democrat President Clinton, against the wishes of his base.
ALL of them knew it created a gathering storm for American workers. ALL of them knew it would be great for Corporations and those few people they decide to reward well.
What did OUR Congress do to help Americans be aware of the impending NAFTA storm and its impact on OUR standard of living? Congress jacked it up even further to a CATEGORY 5 HURRICANE with Clinton signing the U.S.–China Relations Act of 2000 (China Trade Bill). The Senate passed it with 83 in favor and 15 against. OUR House passed it with 237 in favor and 197 against. Even though 65% of the Democratic Representatives voted against, Clinton signed it.
ALL of them knew it created a gathering storm for American workers. ALL of them knew it would be great for Corporations and those few people they decide to reward well.
In an article published in Baron in the fall of 2020, it noted this quote by President Clinton, ‘“China will open its markets to American products from wheat to cars to consulting services, and our companies will be far more able to sell goods without moving factories or investments there.”
The same article quotes the bill’s sponsor, Republican Representative Bill Archer, from Texas as saying, ‘“The American people support this agreement because they know it’s good for jobs in America and good for human rights and the development of democracy in China.
Such bullshit!
Stephen Roach, an economist from Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co. at the time stated, “This deal is about investment, not exports.”
He was right as I watched the impact in Michigan and the surrounding manufacturing states become America’s Rustbelt. Now the Rustbelt has expanded to the majority of American workers and families.
Both parties’ ‘Bought & Paid for Leadership’ pushed NAFTA and the ‘China Bill’ on the American People. A solid majority of Republicans supported it, and it was signed by a Democratic President.
It was a present to the rich donors, wealthy partygoers and corporations.
LOOK AT THE PATTERN- both bills pass in the Senate with a much larger majority than in OUR House, and a President signs it against the wishes of his own base.
It proves that in our political system, the higher on the rung of the ladder, the more they are bought and paid for.
Sorry Republicans — you’ve had 15 years to present YOUR healthcare plan to the American People. Where is it? What is it? What is in it for The People?
All we have gotten from your party is discourse and discord.
The quickest way to help Americans in the lower 90% income group is by enacting a Citizens’ Care Contract with Americans — based on a ‘Medicare For All Universal Healthcare’ system. Yes, that would require corporations and the wealthy to chip in more than they do. They certainly can afford it.
Yes, it means the pharmaceutical and medical companies will make less profit. But they can afford it, as evidenced by:
Between 2006–2015 the largest 25 pharmaceutical companies had profit margins fluctuating between 15% and 20%, compared to 4% to 9% for non-drug companies in the global top 500;
By 2018, the profit margin for U.S. drugmakers had risen to 23.4% of sales, up from 15.3% in 1979;
A March 2025 report by PENN LDI shows the drastic growth of Medical Industry share buybacks and shareholder payouts from 2001–2020 totaling $2.6 Trillion of patients’ hard earned money. Talk about blood money.
Assuring EVERY American has basic access to insurance similar to a ‘Medicare for All’ type plan achieves several key things for the Average American.
We won’t have the stress of fearing going bankrupt because we can’t afford the medicine or treatment,
We won’t have to put off needed medical care or procedures due to deciding whether I buy food, pay the rent, or have my cavity fixed,
No more SURPRISE bills of $8,000;
No more concerns about pre-existing conditions; plus-
American Entrepreneurship will flourish — directly addressing Affordability
The assurance of health care allows individuals and families the real opportunity to chase their ‘Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness’
As much as THEY want us to believe just how great America is as an Entrepreneurial Society, we don’t. Not when compared to other democracies that have Universal Healthcare.
Our self-employment rate is only at 6% — lower than Canada at 14%.
Breaking the ‘healthcare lock’ that large employers have on employees would be catalyst for explosive growth of American entrepreneurs. It would also help the small businesses of America that can’t afford healthcare for employees compete for and retain employees.
Corporations want to have an authoritarian regime that limits its employees mobility by the trap of company paid healthcare. It’s time this ends!
Note: ChatGPT helped with the following — I’m sure you can tell.
Benefits for kids
Earlier detection of developmental issues
More consistent treatment for asthma, allergies, chronic conditions
Better dental access
Improved mental health outcomes
Benefits for adults
Earlier cancer detection
Better control of expensive chronic diseases (diabetes, hypertension)
More preventive screenings
Lower maternal mortality
Faster postpartum care access
Better mental health treatment continuity
Healthier families = stronger long-term educational, financial, and community outcomes.
Increased Family Stability & Emotional Well-Being
Healthcare insecurity is one of the top stressors in American households.
Universal coverage reduces:
Anxiety about losing coverage when changing jobs
Stress around caring for aging parents
Fear of having a baby without sufficient insurance
Tension around medical debt
Families experience:
Peace of mind
More confidence changing jobs or careers
Less relationship strain due to money
Stronger Mobility for Working Parents
Decoupling coverage from employment gives families more control.
Parents could:
Leave toxic workplacesStart their own business
Reduce hours to care for children
Move between states without losing coverage
Take gig or flexible jobs without penalty
This increases economic opportunity and mobility
Reduced Employer Control Over Family Life
Today, a parent’s ability to change jobs or negotiate working conditions is often limited by “insurance lock.”
Universal healthcare restores worker power
Families can prioritize schedule, location, and safety over benefits
Domestic violence survivors can leave abusive relationships without losing coverage
Freedom from employer-based benefits increases family autonomy.
Stronger Support for Seniors and Multi-Generational Households
Universal healthcare helps families caring for older adults by:
Reducing out-of-pocket costs for chronic care
Avoiding coverage gaps between Medicare and employer insurance
Making long-term care easier to coordinate
Lowering family financial burden for prescriptions and appointments
This reduces the “sandwich generation squeeze” — people supporting both children and aging parents.
It’s time Independent and Democratic candidates run on a platform of Universal Healthcare, promoting Affordability and American Entrepreneurship.
FIX THE DAMN SYSTEM!
PROJECT1305.org — SIZE UP THE HOUSE
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