CNBC Anchor: ‘No Doubt’ Obamacare Has Hurt Economy

CNBC anchor Joe Kernan said “there is no doubt” in his mind that Obamacare has hurt the economy and hurt the quality of medical care during an interview Wednesday on “The Laura Ingraham Show.”

Kernan, the co-host of CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” spoke to the bitter debate raging Wednesday on Capitol Hill: What is to be done about Obamacare?

“Republicans must be careful in that the Dems own the failed Obamacare disaster, with its poor coverage and massive premium increases.”

“Obamacare has hurt the economy — there is no doubt in my mind, and it’s hurt the quality of service, as well,” Kernan said.

LifeZette Editor-in-Chief Laura Ingraham agreed, saying, “We certainly have seen a drag on this economy from the increased costs of health care since Obamacare was put into effect. And I don’t think enough people talk about that, just what that ultimately does to the overall growth of this economy or lack thereof.”

Republicans and Democrats in Congress met with Vice President-Elect Mike Pence and Obama, respectively, to discuss dueling strategies on Obamacare Wednesday morning. After the meetings, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer condemned the repeal effort, alleging the dismantling of Obamacare would “Make America Sick Again.”

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The president-elect quickly took to Twitter to harangue Schumer and the Democrats.

“Republicans must be careful in that the Dems own the failed Obamacare disaster, with its poor coverage and massive premium increases … like the 116% hike in Arizona,” Trump tweeted. “Also, deductibles are so high that it is practically useless. Don’t let the Schumer clowns out of this web … massive increases of Obamacare will take place this year and Dems are to blame for the mess. It will fall of its own weight — be careful!”

Trump’s tendency to take public spats to Twitter prompted Ingraham to refer to some comments from Washington Post editorial writer Charles “Chuck” Lane during an appearance Tuesday on Fox News’ “Special Report” with Bret Baier.

While discussing Trump’s tweets — particularly the recent ones that called out companies and CEOs for moving jobs to Mexico — Lane said it “astonishes” him that the American people condone such unorthodox behavior.

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When Ingraham asked Kernan what his response would be to Lane’s concerns, Kernan said it would be, “You know, grow up.”

“I mean, there may come a time where there’s a tweet that becomes a real problem, I think,” Kernan noted. “So far, it has not been the disaster that people have forecasting.”

Kernan blasted The Washington Post, saying that the publication has “a little echo chamber” that is completely out of touch with both reality and with the American people.

“OK, they’ve got a little echo chamber, and they all finish each other’s sentences. But how much of it is not fake news and how much of it is, you know, just music to their own ears?” Keenan said.