You may be missing one important salient point. Which is, only bill which can be passed with reconciliation is the budget part, in 2017. Because GOP can not stop the filibuster.
By failing to repeal Obamacare as ALL REPUBLICANS promised and ran on in 2016, failure to do so is almost certain to cause a bloodbath in 2018.
Here's the content of the health care reform plan proposed by candidate Donald Trump in March 2016:
1. Completely repeal Obamacare. Our elected representatives must eliminate the individual mandate. No person should be required to buy insurance unless he or she wants to.
2. Modify existing law that inhibits the sale of health insurance across state lines. As long as the plan purchased complies with state requirements, any vendor ought to be able to offer insurance in any state. By allowing full competition in this market, insurance costs will go down and consumer satisfaction will go up.
3. Allow individuals to fully deduct health insurance premium payments from their tax returns under the current tax system. Businesses are allowed to take these deductions so why wouldn’t Congress allow individuals the same exemptions? As we allow the free market to provide insurance coverage opportunities to companies and individuals, we must also make sure that no one slips through the cracks simply because they cannot afford insurance. We must review basic options for Medicaid and work with states to ensure that those who want healthcare coverage can have it.
4. Allow individuals to use Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Contributions into HSAs should be tax-free and should be allowed to accumulate. These accounts would become part of the estate of the individual and could be passed on to heirs without fear of any death penalty. These plans should be particularly attractive to young people who are healthy and can afford high-deductible insurance plans. These funds can be used by any member of a family without penalty. The flexibility and security provided by HSAs will be of great benefit to all who participate.
5. Require price transparency from all healthcare providers, especially doctors and healthcare organizations like clinics and hospitals. Individuals should be able to shop to find the best prices for procedures, exams or any other medical-related procedure.
6. Block-grant Medicaid to the states. Nearly every state already offers benefits beyond what is required in the current Medicaid structure. The state governments know their people best and can manage the administration of Medicaid far better without federal overhead. States will have the incentives to seek out and eliminate fraud, waste and abuse to preserve our precious resources.
7. Remove barriers to entry into free markets for drug providers that offer safe, reliable and cheaper products. Congress will need the courage to step away from the special interests and do what is right for America. Though the pharmaceutical industry is in the private sector, drug companies provide a public service. Allowing consumers access to imported, safe and dependable drugs from overseas will bring more options to consumers.
What a sad, sorry pile of nothing the AHCA was, compared to this. The GOP didn't even make the Democrats take a public stand against anything listed here.
“almost certain to cause a bloodbath in 2018”
The dirty little secret around here is that 9 out of 10 of the Freedom Caucus supporters are all set..they have their finances in good shape..they don’t have to worry about where their retirement money is coming from and I’ll bet they are sitting on Medicare(you know..that Government run health plan) and they probably have a supplement for a whopping $75 a month.
They demand that the Federal Government get out of health care right up until you ask them what kind of insurance they have....
then the narrative changes....”cough, cough...”well..but..we’re’ not talking about Medicare in this conversation”
Truth is they want government out of everybody else’s health plan but theirs!! And everybody else is supposed to go along with this siren song of Constitutionality. So now that they have what they want...they can play the Freedom Caucus/Koch Brothers game of “let’s blow up DC for the good of America” and be damned if everyone else suffers.
I hope Trump/Bannon and anyone else who will work with them run the Freedom Caucus out of Washington and out of our lives.