EDITORIAL: Health fix on life support

Sept. 25--It appears we can strike the death knell for the last-gasp Obamacare repeal effort known as Graham-Cassidy. U.S. Sen. John McCain has announced he won't support the bill, likely leaving Republicans short of the votes they need to pass a bill without having to rely on any Democratic support (of which they have none).

That's probably good news for Massachusetts, given the huge financial hit the commonwealth was expected to take if that particular measure were to pass.

But ... now what?

It's puzzling -- in fact, infuriating -- that this Congress has been unable to deliver on its promise to fix Obamacare and its many, expensive flaws. But McCain is right -- a meaningful overhaul, if it is to outlive this administration or a change in control of Congress, must be the product of at least nominal bipartisan consensus.

The Republicans' failure to sell enough of their own members on their repeal efforts ought to convince more of them to accept that. And we include President Trump among those letting the perfect (complete repeal) be the enemy of even the halfway decent.

Now, before Sens. Lindsey Graham and Bill Cassidy tossed their Hail Mary last week the leaders of the health care committee in the Senate had been working on a limited, bipartisan measure that would reduce pressure on insurance premiums and buy time for Congress to come together on a broader fix. The committee leaders sought input from a range of stakeholders of both parties -- including Gov. Charlie Baker and other governors, who are the ones dealing with the reality of federal health care policy on the ground.

There is an opportunity now to return to that work, to provide some relief to Americans who are being crushed by the high costs associated with Obamacare. That will, of course, require the White House and health care bitter-enders in Congress to put the practical ahead of the political. We hope they have it in them.

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