We can expect a lot of Republican votes to repeal Obamacare, and a lot of complaints that Obama won't "negotiate" or "meet" with Republicans. Obama should call the bluff, and give a speech on the Republican campaigns to "Repeal and replace."
My Republican colleagues complain about Obamacare, and I acknowledge that there are ways we can make it better. But Republicans keep saying that they want to "Repeal and Replace" "Repeal and Replace." But so far, we only see votes to "Repeal" with no plans to "Replace." If there are any good ideas out there for actually replacing the ACA with something better. Please, show it to me, and show it to the American people, so that we can act on a plan that is better.
You have been told that I won't negotiate and I won't collaborate. That is nonsense. I have always been willing to listen to any good ideas, whether they come from Republicans or Democrats, as long as they are good ideas, ideas that will help the American people.
When I went looking for a healthcare plan, I went to Mitt Romney's plan that was backed by Senate Republicans, and made that the model for Obamacare. The truth is that Obamacare always has been a Republican healthcare plan. A plan that helps more Americans get coverage from private insurance companies. If any Republican has a better plan, show it to me, and show it to the American people. And explain to us how it will work better than Obamacare, than Mitt Romney's plan that he put in place in Massachusetts. Show America how it will make sure that more Americans get better health insurance, and show America that your plan won't blow a hole in a deficit and I will support that.
But don't come to me and say "Repeal" first, and work out a plan later. That doesn't help the 10 million new people who are insured through Obamacare's healthcare exchanges and through Medicaid expansion programs like Kynect in Kentucky.
The Republicans told America that if Americans gave them majorities in the Senate and House, that they would be able to move America forward and get things done. I am here willing and able to move America forward with any plan that will help average Americans. So please, come to me with a plan that will help insure Americans and will help create jobs for Americans and that will do a better job of spreading our current American recovery from the great recession to the middle class. But don't come to me with that tired slogan, give tax cuts to the wealthiest one percent, and it will trickle down to the middle class later. The one percent are doing great in this country already. The one percent have benefited the most from our current recovery. Show me and show America your plan for helping middle class America and I will be your partner in moving America forward.