I've been trying to comprehend the compromise part of the Trump administration's compromise on healthcare. To wit:
The compromise Pence and the moderate members of the House discussed — and that Pence has taken to the conservative members on the Hill — would give states the opportunity to issue a waiver so they don't have to impose those requirements on the condition that states show that getting rid of the insurance regulations, such as essential health benefits, will lower the cost of premiums.
The waiver, once invoked, would also "get rid" of adequate health insurance. That would unquestionably lower the cost of premiums. I'll give the administration's argument that much. I noted with interest, however, that the NBC News story says that Pence and House moderates "discussed" — not agreed on — the administration's proposal. I can only assume that this is for good reason: How could such a policy-devastating waiver persuade House moderates of its superiority to the last proposed piece of crap?
And House conservatives? They're non-committal. The head of the Freedom Caucus, Rep, Mark Meadows, says of his plucky little band of the unremittingly heartless: "We are encouraged by at least the idea — intrigued by the idea — but would certainly need a whole lot more information before we take action in support or opposition." Translation: the proposal isn't mean-spirited enough, it doesn't do enough damage to the (literally) poor schmucks who need adequate health insurance.
I particularly admired this passage: "Trump told NBC News Monday night that he rejected the idea of working with Democrats right now and said that the best way to finish the bill is to reach consensus among Republicans" — for whom, quite obviously, there won't, can't, be one.
As for the others? The smartest thing Trump could have done was to work with Dems — and the very dumbest thing Dems could ever do is to work with Trump. So Donald, your withheld coquettishness is much appreciated.