The GOP tax plan will likely damage health care

Plus: Trump's Islamophobia No Images? Click here         Even With ‘Fixes,’ The GOP Tax Cut Plan Would Likely Damage Health Care The biggest political hang-up in the debate over the Senate Republican tax cut bill is likely to be its potential effect on the deficit. But that’s not the only issue, or even the most important one. There’s still the matter of the health insurance mandate ― the requirement, which became law as part of the Affordable Care Act, that all Americans get coverage or pay a fine. The tax cut bill would eliminate the mandate. If that happens, experts warn, both health insurance premiums and the number of people without coverage will go up. Insurers would be more likely to exit markets altogether.  Now some Republicans are talking about passing yet another piece of legislation, in order to make sure insurance markets don’t deteriorate. It’s not a crazy idea. But the new legislation would have only a modest impact ― and, even then, only on a temporary basis. Premiums would still go up. More people would still end up without health insurance, struggling to find care when they need it or facing the prospect of crippling medical bills. Insurers would still have new reason to leave. And that’s assuming this new proposal could even get through Congress, which is no sure thing. READ MORE     WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING? President Donald Trump retweeted inflammatory Islamophobic videos on Wednesday, drawing swift condemnation. The videos, posted by Britain First deputy leader Jayda Fransen, claim to show violent crimes committed by Muslims. Britain First is widely known in the U.K. for spreading Islamophobic and racist videos, including many proven to be fake. READ MORE Roy Moore criticized efforts to make sure all eligible voters can vote in Alabama. His attack on registration clinics run by activists was egregiously misleading. READ MORE Trump keeps denying his sexual misconduct, but calls out other alleged predators. He still claims all the women who accuse him are liars, and now reportedly says the “Access Hollywood” tape is fake. READ MORE    .     ICYMI Roy Moore backers say George Soros is paying women to lie about him. To be clear, there is zero evidence that Soros is paying women to make up stories about Moore’s inappropriate sexual advances on them. But the idea fits with other unfounded right-wing conspiracy theories about Soros being a ringleader of a secret radical left agenda.   James O'Keefe's credibility is on trial as the DOJ seeks felony convictions for Trump protesters. A video shot by Project Veritas takes center stage in the ongoing felony prosecution of six individuals caught up in a mass arrest on Inauguration Day.   Asian-American cops sued a California police department over discrimination allegations. San Gabriel police officers allegedly used mock Asian accents to speak to colleagues and referred to residents as “f**king gooks.”    . Want more?  Sioux Leader To Trump: ‘Leave The Office You Bought And Take Your Swamp Things With You’ The Birther’s Back: Trump Reportedly Reignites Racist Lie About Obama Sarah Sanders Gleeful That CNN Won’t Be A Guest At White House Christmas Party     How will Trump’s administration impact you? Sign up for our email and find out. Did a friend send you this? Subscribe here. Like what you see? Share it. Want more? Here are two other newsletters you'll love: The Morning Email and Must Reads. ©2017 HuffPost | 770 Broadway, New York, NY 10003 You are receiving this email because you signed up for updates from HuffPost Feedback | Privacy Policy | Unsubscribe    . - - Preferences  |  Unsubscribe