In a fierce race in Congress, Republicans have been tight-lipped on health care, removed campaign websites containing anti-abortion language, and in some cases distanced themselves from past criticisms of the Affordable Care Act. ing.
Important reasons: This contrasts sharply with the fragile Democrats who have campaigned relentlessly to defend abortion rights and the healthcare provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act.
- And then there’s the bigger question of what would happen to Republican health care policy if the Republicans took control of one or two Houses of Representatives.
Axios contacted the Republican campaign In the nearest 10 races of the House and Senate. Only Adam Laxalt, who is a Nevada senatorial candidate, responded. Also, an examination of the candidate’s website and past statements shows that even the hardliners that former President Trump endorsed have refrained from speaking out on his social media channels and avoided positions such as repealing the ACA. I understand.
- Laxalt campaigned against the ACA while running for Nevada Attorney General in 2018. When he ran for governor two years later, he said he supported the protection of patients with pre-existing medical conditions. Now, as he challenges incumbent Democrat Catherine Cortez Mast, the only healthcare issue on his website is the government’s COVID-19 response. to investigate what he calls the public health failure of
- His spokesman, Brian Frymus, did not elaborate on Laxalt’s position on the ACA, but said that if elected, it would “reduce costs, expand choice and protect patients with pre-existing medical conditions while helping patients Our priority is to be able to retain the doctors we want.” .”
- Ohio Senator candidate J.D. Vance, who also doesn’t have a health care agenda on his website, said at a February election event that “Obamacare is a disaster” and that it should be repealed and “substantial.” said that it should be replaced with “things”.
- Georgia senator hopeful Herschel Walker doesn’t talk much about health care, but on his website he says: “To ensure that all Georgians have access to quality and affordable health care. We want to increase the number of competitive market options in order to
- North Carolina Senator Candidate Ted Budd has also shared policy points and talked about health care since lamenting the Senate death of the Obamacare repeal bill he endorsed in 2017 on a podcast in April. didn’t say much.
- Pennsylvania senator candidate Mehmet Oz, a former cardiothoracic surgeon, said he would expand access to private short-term health insurance plans backed by former President Trump as an alternative to ACA coverage. CNN reported in March that Oz had previously supported mandatory federal health insurance and pushed for the Affordable Care Act, but his campaign prompted him to tell CNN that he had changed his stance. rice field.
- Madison Gesiot Gilbert, who is running for Ohio’s 13th congressional district, said at a Trump rally in Ohio in April that she supported repealing Obamacare, but has since taken her position on behalf of all Americans. limited to opposing and supporting Medicare. “It is patient-centered healthcare that removes the role of the federal government. ”
Line spacing: Republican strategist Brendan Bach said this kind of distance makes sense.
- “Republicans have talked about health care almost entirely around elimination and replacement for the past decade. I withdrew.”
- Republicans want midterm elections on the economy, Buck said. “It’s not a prejudice against health care. But if it’s not inflation or gas prices, it’s not a frontline issue.”
Flashback: Republicans have been unable to repeal the Affordable Care Act in Congress, and in June 2021 a lawsuit filed by a group of Republican Attorneys General to invalidate the law was dismissed by the Supreme Court.
- But Republicans have had big wins in health care in the past, in response to the passage of the ACA in 2010 over former President Clinton’s universal health care plan in 1994.
Big picture: Larry Levitt, executive vice president of the Kaiser Family Foundation, said clearly the Republican Party’s approach to health care is getting harder.
- “When Republican candidates talk about health care, it’s generally against Democrats’ plans.”
- A recent KFF poll showed 55% support for the Affordable Care Act, one of the highest levels of support since its enactment.
What’s next: If Republicans control the House or Senate, Buck expects Republican interest in health care policy to be far less ambitious and focused on issues such as the expansion of telemedicine and the use of medical savings accounts. doing.
- There may also be an investigation into the origin of COVID-19 and the response of the Biden administration. Topics under consideration include whether the coronavirus is man-made and scrutinizing US funding for the Wuhan Institute of Virology, reports Axios.
- “They’re not going to stop full system reform,” Buck said. “Repeals and replacements are totally over. I’m sure Republican leaders won’t resume play even if they control both the House and Senate. The ACA will stay here.”
But, but, but: The Inflation Reduction Act extends enhanced ACA health insurance subsidies for an additional three years. If Republicans are elected president in 2024 or if Republicans control Congress, it’s certainly possible that lawmakers could choose not to renew the subsidies again.
- Republicans may also seek to repeal prescription drug price negotiations in a new law due to begin in 2026. Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Georgia) hinted at such a possibility in a recent Fox News interview.
To the point: Republican wariness about health care commitments confirms that the Affordable Care Act has become a permanent fixture in the health care system, while Democrats have pushed for greater coverage and policy reforms beyond the law. It gives them a great opportunity to claim their achievements.
