Wrong, if anything, related to china . Peter morici he stood by while china built the islands in the South China Sea and militarized them. He has tried to make china back down on currency and trade issues, but when the chinese stand firm, hes flinched. Sharyl what is it you advise President Trump to do . Peter morici bite the bullet and put up with the criticism and perils and put china back in its box. [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org] sharyl welcome to full measure. Im sharyl attkisson. The new Republicanled Congress was sworn in this week and one priority was clear doing away with obamacare. The promise of the law was Affordable Health insurance for all. But for too many, the hard unaffordable premiums, and huge out of pocket costs. Weve covered the pitfalls since our beginning here on full measure and, today, we begin by reviewing what went wrong and the prospects after obamacare. It was a popular election rally cry and will be one of President Trumps top priorities. Donald trump were going to repeal and replace obamacare, we have no choice, we have no choice. Sharyl Trump Supporters want him to follow through. I think it was a nice try, but it didnt work. It needs to be fixed and it needs to be torn down, dissected, bad things got rid of and improved on, get rid of what dont work. Sharyl now the big question is what comes next . Nathan nascimento is a Senior Policy Adviser at the conservative Freedom Partners Chamber of commerce. There was bipartisan agreement that something has to be done, whether its a fix or a complete overhaul or ho how does that begin . Nathan just moving forward with a fullon repeal and replace measure is not going to solve the underlying problems. Its just going to make things worse. Sharyl what do you think needs to be done . Nathan i think, as you start to target specific problems with the law, you allow for the multitude of free market solutions, marketcentered, patientcentered solutions to arise to the surface. You allow for a number of ideas to see the light of day, not just jammed in a massive bill thats going to be stuck with a bunch of cronyism, a bunch of giveaways to big corporations. We want to bring this back to the people and let the market flourish. Sharyl so, instead of a massive bill as you describe it, are you saying there should be a lot of smaller laws addressing targeted slices of issues . Nathan yes, absolutely. I think that is one way that you ensure that people are actually getting what they want. Sharyl what people want is insurance that actually covers their medical expenses without sky high deductibles and unaffordable premiums. Which was the promise of the Affordable Care act in the first place. More security and stability to those who have Health Insurance. It will provide insurance for those who dont. And it will slow the growth of Health Care Costs for our families, our businesses, and our government. [applause] Robert Laszewski you know what, i told them not to call this the Affordable Care act. [laughter] sharyl you told who . Robert laszewski the obama administration. The democrats. Every democrat i could find. Sharyl Robert Laszewski is a policy adviser and analyst for the insurance industry. Hes correctly predicted obamacares pitfalls since day one. Robert the fundamental problem is not enough Healthy People have signed up to pay for the sick, and not enough Healthy People have signed up because the insurance plans that people are being offered just simply arent of good value. Sharyl what do customers see as wrong with the insurance product . Robert the Insurance Products consumers see are still too expensive in terms of premium. And the deductibles and copays are sharyl Congress Passed obamacare in 2010 without a single republican vote, with the democrats house leader nancy pelosi admitting even they didnt know exactly what was in the bills 2,700 pages. Since then, some in congress say its created to a 20,000 page stack of rules and regulations. Rep. Pelosi we have to pass the bill so you can find out whats in it away from the fog of the controversy. We look back in time and we say, you have to pass the bill in order to know whats in the bill. Weve learned our history from what happens when Congress Passes the massive bills, that its chock full of a whole bunch of bad things and that, that dont really meet the needs of people. Sharyl philadelphia Investment Adviser rich weinstein became a citizen journalist and in 2014 unearthed a series of online videos showing obamacare architects admitting that they intentionally fooled the public about what was in store for them under the Affordable Care act. Rich weinstein i started noticing more in the news that these people called architects were out there basically trying to influence Public Opinion and i figured these architect people were, they were mostly academics and i thought maybe they would leave a trail of breadcrumbs for me to figure out what was going on. Sharyl one star in these videos was obamacare architect jonathan gruber, an economist at the Massachusetts Institute of technology. Jonathan gruber look, i wish mark was right. We could make it all transparent, but id rather have this law than not. Sharyl in a series of remarkable policy talks at conferences and in academic settings, gruber seems to brag that obamacare only passed through its lack of transparency and the stupidity of voters. For example, gruber says he and other backers of obamacare hid the fact that it would be costly to healthy americans. Jonathan gruber if you had a law which said Healthy People are gonna pay in, you made it explicit that Healthy People pay in and sick people get money, it would not have passed, okay. Lack of transparency is a huge political advantage and basically, you know, call it the stupidity of the American Voter or whatever, but basically that was really, really critical to getting the thing to pass. Sharyl at its core, it was supposed to provide affordable insurance for everybody who needed it. Robert yes. The Affordable Care act was supposed to ensure that whether you were employed or unemployed or selfemployed, you would have access to Affordable Health insurance. For someone whos not getting a subsidy, whos paying the full cost of insurance, its likely that theyre now paying about double what they paid before under the old market, where only Healthy People could get in. Sharyl can you explain in simple terms how the Insurance Companies are losing so much money if theyre charging so much for premiums and if deductibles are so high . Robert its real simple. If you only provide a Health Insurance plan that the sickest people buy, you cant charge enough. Sharyl its expensive, say experts, because nearly all of the governme backfired. Take the abysmal failure of the obamacare coops 23 nonprofits started up with your tax dollars. After sometimes paying exorbitant salaries to their executives, theyve gone belly up one by one. Robert there were 23 and 17 have gone broke so far. Sharyl and thats our tax money that went down the tubes with it. Robert about 3 billion when its all over, yeah. Sharyl forprofit Insurance Companies are jumping ship, too. Robert like aetna, humana, united healthcare, some blue cross plans pulling back. A number of blue cross plans losing substantial amounts of money and having to go after major rate increases to stay in the business. Sharyl when it comes to replacing obamacare, it will be complicated. And voters will likely demand more transparency this time. Sharyl if you could wave a wand, what would the new system look like . Nathan one that is free for people to pick and choose whether its Health Insurance plans or not even carry a Health Insurance plan. That they have a multitude of options piece of plastic in their wallet or not. One that allows for expedited treatments to see them, to get to the marketplace so that people can have those new, innovative ideas that are being offered, one that is chock full of innovation and incorporates new technologies so that people can get real, Timely Health care in a fashion that makes sense for them. Sharyl one trick will be fixing whats sorely broken while keeping facets of obamacare that work. Is it true that more people have Health Insurance today as a result of the obamacare plans . Robert it is true that more people have Health Insurance today because of obamacare. Particularly because of the Medicaid Expansion in the 31 states that have taken it. Sharyl obamacare has also opened up affordable insurance to many with preexisting medical conditions. Illnesses that once made it impossible for some to get affordable insurance. Virginia Health Insurance broker ed obrien helps match up policies. Ed obrien a lot of people were able to get insurance that couldnt get it before because they had preexisting conditions. So i suppose, in some respects, that was a good thing. Unfortunately, these preexisting conditions which arent looked at any longer have caused insurance rates to go up at catastrophic rates. Sharyl marvin clark is unemployed, but has insurance under obamacare, subsidized, or partly paid for, with tax money. He worries about looming change under the trump administration. Marvin clark im very concerned. Because right now, me being 55, 56 years of age, you know, i have so many Health Complications and you know the medications that i take is so expensive and so without obamacare or the insurance that its provided though my health care and medstar, i wouldnt be able to afford it. President trump . Nathan i expect from President Trump to listen to the, what people have said, that theyre tired of the one size fits all approach. Theyre tired of washington telling them what to do. They want options for their families. They want Affordable Care, and they know that when government is involved, they dont get that. President trump should be mindful of this. He should really listen to the people. Sharyl repeal of obamacare could come as early as next month, but is not expected to change 2017 insurance policies. Coming up on full measure. You already know how the u. S. Press is covering trumps victory. Scott thuman goes to moscow to find out what russians think about trump. I love paying extra to file my state returns. I want my tax software to charge me at the last second. Said no one ever. File your taxes for free with credit karma tax. Sharyl this week, u. S. Intelligence officials declared russia and president Vladimir Putin major threats to the u. S. Some claim they even rigged our elections. The facts are a matter of some debate. With all the scrutiny, we sent scott thuman to moscow, to find out how russia is watching america. Scott for many americans, its a foreign country and concept, russia. With its oniondomed churches, red star symbols of communism, and of course, the mysterious kremlin, the centuriesold center of intrigue and power. It ruled the old soviet empire and helped the u. S. And allies win world war ii, then launched the decadesold cold war that brought both countries to the brink of a nuclear one. Now, under putin, the russian bear has regained its swagger and the new threat isnt just the renewed reach of russian weaponry, but also a new age of propaganda war, conducted in mass media messaging. We were welcomed inside the Television Headquarters of rt, formerly known as russia today, to see america through the reverse lens of the Russian Media with Political Correspondent anissa naouai. How, overall, would you say americas perceived through the rt lens . Anissa naouai i think we point out stories and things about america that they American Government would not like. Scott rt tells us it is watched by 70 Million People a week in 38 countries with a significantly stronger presence online, claiming to be the most with some 4 billion views. It is also completely funded by the russian government. Do you ever get any pressure from above to be tougher on america . Anissa naouai no, ive been very lucky. Im american. And i was not tough on america at all before i started working at rt, and its not because rt made me tough, its because i started to see, and it was even before, it was when i was studying in russia and someone asked me, who won world war ii . And i said, america, and it was the first time i realized that i was living in a bubble. So maybe rt is lucky to have me because im quite critical of america in a way. But again, rts goal is not to criticize america, its to show another side of the story. Scott whenever someone is funding something, it doesnt, there has to be a trickle down of some sort, doesnt there, as far as how to present the news . Anissa naouai there has to, but thats how the news works all over. Every news channel, i mean, you know how much it costs to run a news channel, so they know when they theyre getting. Theyre getting a channel thats funded by the russian government. This is going to be the russian perspective. Ic the truly propagandist message relayed by cnn, abc. Scott and that perspective is often highly critical of the u. S. Media. Cnn, a favorite target. Vladimir putin ordered this attack. Scott but the broadcasts are designed for an overseas audience and, in fact, isnt widely seen within russia. So even with claims of worldwide viewership, the constant critique of america and its media has little impact on many in moscow. My perception is positive, i understand that there is an information war, but it is between the governments and not the ordinary people. Scott do you look at america as a friend or enemy . Of course as a friend because i have many friends there, my relatives live there, and i dont see any confrontation between us. Scott just how ruia perceive and portray americans depends on where in the country you ask that question, but will also depend in the future a great deal on what happens next in american politics, under a trump presidency. Its good country and with new president donald trump. We invite you to come to Vladimir Putin to talk together and make good relations. Scott and here, some attribute trumps victory to Vladimir Putin. Mr. Putin is capable to elect american president s, do you know that . Do you think its you . Forget about this. If you listen to russian tv, then of course it is Vladimir Putin is god on earth, who has managed to elect a good president over the United States, good for the russian people. Scott Yevgenia Albats is editor of new times, what she says is the only independent weekly in the Worlds Largest country and in a constant battle of being drowned out by stateowned media. How strong is that voice . How loud is that voice of propaganda . Yevgenia albats its the loudest voice we have here in russia. On a daily basis, 24 7, they report to russian people that there is one guy whos capable to save them and his name is Vladimir Putin. Scott youre an independent agency, do you still feel pressure from the government . Yevgenia albats i mean, of course, we do feel pressure on a regular basis. Scott is it dangerous for you . Yevgenia albats you know, everything is dangerous in this type of regimes, you never know. Scott including, she claims, presenting too positive an image of putin opponents. Yevgenia albats and if you ask me, am i going to be in printing two months from now . I have no idea. A month from now . I have no idea. Scott just as its unclear if there will be any real thawing of relations in a country where theres long been a popular punch line, vyavsoom dyanavat obama, meaning everything is obamas fault. Mr. Trump i say it is time for us to come together as one, united people. Scott trumps win has widely been seen as a russian win, too, reportedly even eliciting applause at the highest levels. But couched with a healthy dose of caution. Anissa naouai i think if you went on the streets of moscow like you did, people would be hopeful, but they were just as hopeful eight years ago. And were quickly disappointed. Sharyl at a hearing thursday, director of National IntelligenceJames Clapper said russias rt network was very active in disparaging our system and said its a grave concern. Another recent concern is russia flexing its military muscle. Scott also travelled to kaliningrad, a crucial port where russia is said to be aggressively posturing against the west. That in the weeks ahead on full me when we come back today. Why you should care about another big Foreign Policy challenge c sharyl this week, communist china threatened to use a big stick if President Trump starts a trade war. To explain the challenges trump faces and why china should matter to you, we spoke with economist peter morici, a professor at the university of maryland. In simple terms, what is the u. S. Beef with china . Prof. Morici china doesnt play by the rules, whether its trades, security issues, what have you. Its violating its neighbors sovereignty in the South China Sea, militarizing the area, its making territorial claims that are unreasonable. And on trade, it cheats on its wto commitments and, as a consequence, we have a huge trade deficit with china that probably costs americans about 2 million to 3 million jobs. Sharyl wto is the World Trade Organization. Prof. Morici correct. China cheats on its commitments to the World Trade Organization in a manner that costs america about 2 million to 3 million jobs. Sharyl in short order, what do you think president obama has done right and what has he done wrong, if anything, related to china . Porf. Morici he has enabled china and thats the problem. He stood by while china built the islands in the South China Sea and what are supposed to be neutral waters, militarized them, intimidated their neighbors, and weve lost face with allies like the philippines. In addition, he has tried to make china back down on currency and trade issues, but when the chinese stand firm, hes flinched. So, by and large, its been a policy of appeasement and this hasnt served american interests well. Sharyl what do you see as President Trumps biggest challenge coming in . Prof. Morici well, you cant do anything about china without offending somebody in america. If you clamp down on Chinese Investment coming in the United States to free up access for americans, therell be american businesses that will lose out because they hope to sell out to china. If you clamp down on trade with china, you have American Companies invested, like general electric, ibm, ford, general motors. If you challenge china in the pacific, there is the potential for real conflict, but if you dont challenge china in the pacific, it will grow to be the dominant power in the region and push out the United States. 40 of the worlds shipping goes through the South China Sea. The South China Sea has huge Oil Resources and has considerable mineral resources. Those belong to all the nations in the region and china is taking them for their own. Sharyl china has militarized the china sea. Prof. Morici correct. China has basically created artificial islands and an air strip and is putting military assets on those islands. In addition, its using the money that it gains in trade from the United States and its huge trade surplus to build a string of 20 ports from basically the eastern pacific, all the way to the persian gulf in the mediterranean. In addition, its using those monies to build a real navy, one that can challenge the american navy, not defeat it, but make our day. So, overall, we are enabling the creation of a Regional Power with disruptive intentions that offers an alternative view of how our society should be organized that is not particularly sympathetic to American Values of democracy and individual freedom. Sharyl if, as you describe, nearly every course of action carries with it criticism and perils, what is it your advice President Trump to do . Prof. Morici bite the bullet and put up with the criticism and perils and put china back in its box. Sharyl morici adds that our focus on the middle east, while important, has caused us to neglect our interests in asia. Still to come, a look at the sharyl next week on full measure. More challenges for the Incoming Trump administration. What are the Top National Security threats you see President Trump will be facing . I think the president elect faces a north korea that is not too far down the path from getting an icbm. Sharyl on the korean threat, cia director john brennan agrees. I think it presents a direct threat to the United StatesNational Security. Sharyl what could a cyber threat lead to that threatens our National Security . It would have a fundamental life changing impact on our country. Sharyl that is all next week. Im sh thanks for watching the Weekend Edition of Government Matters featuring the latest topics that matter to the business of government like technology, defense, workforce, security, and industry. Government matters is the only show exploring trends in the federal community. Im your host, francis rose. The state departments top personnel leader is taking the agencys message to College Campuses across the country. His visits are part of an effort to recruit the next generation of diplomats for the United States. Mr. Ambassador, thank you, very much for coming on the program