SR: No reason to celebrate AHCA

Sunday editorial in The Spokesman-Review:

The process to pass the American Health Care Act in the House was irresponsibly rushed and overtly political. We don’t ever recall representatives partying at the White House for a bill that had yet to be scored.

White House chief of staff Reince Priebus compared Thursday’s vote to a punt into the end zone. Who celebrates a touchback? Changing sports, President Donald Trump told Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell that the ball was in his court now.

This will not be a slam dunk, nor should it be. The president promised to protect Medicaid. This bill severely undermines it.

The massive cuts to Medicaid alone would have a negative ripple effect in every community. The progress on mental health care would be lost. Instead of early treatment – made possible by expanded coverage – needy people would be neglected.