The rationale Republicans are giving for the Graham-Cassidy monstrosity is that it gives power back to the states and gives them the “flexibility” to implement healthcare to meet local needs. But Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana will offer an amendment to the bill that would take away states’ power to set up single payer systems.
"I mean look, I don't believe in a single-payer system," Kennedy said. "I don't think putting in a guardrail that says you cant have a single-payer system is inconsistent with giving states flexibility. That's our job."
So, he wants the give states the power to choose, as long as their choice is something he believes in. This is the kind of hypocrisy we’ve come to expect from the Republican Party. And if you didn’t think Graham-Cassidy was bad enough, count on a Republican to try to make it worse.
The good news is that Lindsey Graham says he opposes this amendment. But that gives me small comfort. I don’t know about you, but I don’t trust Lindsey Graham.