President Donald Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan scurried feverishly – and unsuccessfully – today to secure enough House support for the Republican healthcare plan to replace the Affordable Care Act, Americans are saying a loud NO to the GOP effort.

Ryan delayed the vote, possibly until tomorrow. He and Trump couldn’t seal the deal.

In the meantime, people aren’t happy with the GOP plan. That’s the finding of a national Quinnipiac University Poll released today. The university is based in Hamden, CT.

“Replacing Obamacare will come with a price for elected representatives who vote to scrap it, say many Americans, who clearly feel their health is in peril under the Republican alternative,” said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll in a statement.

In the poll, voters “disapprove” 56% to 17% the Republican health care plan to replace the ACA, also known as Obamacare, the university said. Support among the Republicans is what the pollsters described as a “lackluster” 41% to 24%.

Such a vote wouldn’t be healthy for political futures of Senators or House members who vote for the Republican health care plan, the poll also found. Some 46% said they would be “less likely” to support those members of Congress who opted for the GOP plan.

The poll, of course, was taken before Trump and Ryan began to work feverishly to try to get more conservatives on board for the GOP bill. The conservative wing is seeking a trashing of more elements of the Affordable Care Act, such as insurance coverage for emergency, maternity, prescription drug and other services.  Moderates are resisting.

As an NPR announcer asked today, what’s the point of insurance, then?

— Joe Cantlupe