Republicans on Health Care Reform Post Election

Finally, it’s over.  The mid-term 2010 election season has finally come to a merciful end.  For now, no more radio and TV ads of candidates trying to expose how their opponent is either stupid, crazy, or just a plain @ss-hole.  

Now the pundits will begin to theorize on how the now Republican-controlled House will impact things like economic stimulus, job creation, and the well-beloved health care reform bill.

Many Republicans (and I include the Tea-Party as Republicans for purposes here) ran, at least partially, on the platform that they would work to repeal the health care reform law.  Even the man who is likely to become Speaker, John Boehner of Ohio (I used to live in that district BTW) made the statement Wed, the day after the election - “We have to do everything we can to try to repeal this bill and replace it with common sense reforms to bring down the cost of health care.”  

Just one teensy, tiny problem there… Republicans only control the House, and the Senate remains in Democrat hands.  Not to mention that man living in the White House.  He might have something to say about it.

So the idea that the health care reform law passed under the Democrat-controlled Congress and White House earlier in 2010 is going to be repealed is unrealistic.  If you truly believe it to be possible, tell me how, because I don’t see Democrats in Congress or the White House abandoning their ideas and going along with a repeal, no matter the reasonability or the superiority of any alternative plans offered by Republicans. (which have not been offered yet)

What is much more likely would be Republicans putting healthcare reform on a diet.  Another part of the Republican platform is fiscal control.  Spend less, tax less, reduce deficits, etc.  It is conceivable that Republicans could attempt to alter the course of healthcare reform by treating it like they will likely attempt to treat many spending initiatives – with a scalpel.  

What Republicans may do is work to slash the funding necessary to implement many parts of health care reform.  The House-version of the next federal budget could include little, if any $ for implementation, while the Senate version might contain more. (donkeys and elephants at their finest)  They would have to work it out in conference committee, but the net result would likely be an inability (or reduced ability) at HHS to efficiently implement what the legislature has dictated.

Unfortunately, for stakeholders involved in this mess, while HHS would not have the $ to implement their portions, it’s likely that would not mean the reform measures would be dead.  Given HHS’s recent stance about insurance companies, it is likely that HHS, despite limited funding, would still attempt to require compliance with the law (taking action against those who are not compliant with requirements) despite this lack of funding.  

The impact of such a scenario playing out is hard to predict.  In any event, despite Republican speeches to the contrary, health care reform is likely not to be repealed, and “fixing” it (as best as we can) should be the agenda of the day.  Focusing rhetoric on a repeal is only going to hurt Republicans and tax payers in the long run, as it’s not an achievable (though worthy) goal.