Thompson predicts ‘piecemeal’ approach to Obamacare repeal and replace

Former Gov. Tommy Thompson predicts that Republican lawmakers will likely pass several bills to repeal and replace the federal health reform law, although they haven’t agreed on a replacement yet.

“My expectations are that they’re going to come together more piecemeal and pass several pieces of legislation and not do the repeal, but do things that could improve Obamacare,” Thompson, who previously served as secretary of health and human services, told attendees at a WisPolitics.com event Tuesday.

Thompson expects lawmakers will maintain provisions allowing children to stay on their parents’ plan until the age of 26 and prohibiting insurance companies from discriminating against those with pre-existing conditions.

He predicted Republicans will allow the sale of insurance across state lines. And he said they want an “unlimited insurance exchange” allowing insurers to “be able to sell anything on there, unfettered, free enterprise,” he said.

He also predicted Republicans will approve block granting for Medicaid, but it remains to be seen whether the federal government will cut back on expansion or move all states to the expanded match.

“Money matters,” he said. “Money is a bigger driver and it’s going to be a huge fight as to who gets this baseline and how they’re going to do it, and until they solve the baseline and the tax question, not much is going to get done.”

Thompson said the biggest problem facing Republicans is coalescing around a replacement. But he noted that plans are in flux.

“Every single day it’s changing,” Thompson said. “Even though I’m plugged in, nobody seems to know exactly from morning to night what’s going to take place.”

Thompson said he told President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, his estate in Palm Springs, Fla., that he could change 75 to 80 percent of the law through administrative rules.

Republicans are waiting for U.S. Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., to be confirmed as secretary of health and human services to begin that process, according to Thompson who supports Price for the position.

Thompson also predicted that Ryan and others likely won’t pursue changes to Medicare in part because of Republicans’ focus on the Affordable Care Act, changes to the tax code and infrastructure.

“You can only gore so many cows and still remain standing,” he said. “You’ve got to pick your fights, pick your issues.”