Senator Mike Lee explained his reasons for being against the health care bill just released by the Senate, but gave one change that would allow him to vote for it.

He wants an “opt-out” for states and individuals.







The entire piece is worth reading because he sets out how conservatives in the Senate have compromised just to get to this point, and how the bill just isn’t what Republicans promised the voters.

Conservatives have compromised on not repealing, on spending levels, tax credits, subsidies, corporate bailouts, Medicaid, and the Obamacare regulations. That is, on every substantive question in the bill.

Having conceded to my moderate colleagues on all of the above, I now ask only that the bill be amended to include an opt-out provision, for states or even just for individuals.

Then he comes to his conclusion – since we’re all divided on what the answer is, we need an opt-out clause.

And so, for all my frustrations about the process and my disagreements with the substance of BCRA, I would still be willing to vote for it if it allowed states and/or individuals to opt-out of the Obamacare system free-and-clear to experiment with different forms of insurance, benefits packages, and care provision options. Liberal states might try single-payer systems, while conservatives might emphasize health savings accounts. Some people embrace association health plans or so-called “medishare” ministry models. My guess is different approaches will work for different people in different places — like everything else in life.

And,

At some point Washington elites might at least entertain the possibility that we may not have all the answers. I think right now — with President Trump’s shocking upset of the establishment still fresh in our minds — would be a good time for Congress to add a new ingredient to its legislative sausage: a dash of humility. To win my vote, the Republican health care bill must create a little space for states and individuals to sidestep Washington’s arrogant incompetence, and see if they can do better. Recent history suggests Washington couldn’t possibly do worse.

I very much doubt they’ll go for this. Though they are showing signs of wanting to compromise – while Trump allies are attacking Senator Heller for going against the bill, they did so while saying they want to reach out to the other four detractors, including Lee.

For a fiery attack on the bill, check out Mark Levin’s response here.