Obamacare repeal is repealed

It would appear that Obamacare is here to stay.

A months-long effort by Senate Republicans to pass health legislation collapsed early Friday after GOP Senator John McCain joined two of his colleagues to block a stripped-down Obamacare repeal bill.

“I regret that our efforts were simply not enough, this time,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on the Senate floor after the vote. “This is clearly a disappointing moment.”

“It’s time to move on,” he added after pulling the bill from the floor.

Okay, if we are going to have Obamacare, let’s make it work. The only way to do that is to give the individual mandate teeth. If everyone is entitled to receive care, then everyone must have insurance. If you are poor, you get subsidies. If you are not poor you must buy it or face the consequences.

It is the only way a system that allows anyone to receive care at emergency rooms and that requires policies to cover pre-existing conditions can possibly work.