Status of Health Care Reform Repeal

The push for repeal of the health care law passed by the Obama administration is still going on, although right now the Supreme Court ruling is the next thing on the agenda for most folks in the fight against the law.

House Republicans have voted to repeal multiple parts of the law since the passage of the bill, but they have not pushed for a vote on the individual mandate that is such an important part of the law because they don't want to interfere with the Supreme Court ruling. There's a good discussion of this in Health care reform: House GOP waits for Supreme Court from Politico.

Still, congressional Republicans are keenly aware that the Supreme Court could do what they have been unable to do for nearly two years: put a stake in one of the most significant pieces of the health law.

And they’re doing all they can to stay out of the way.

House Republicans voted last year to repeal or defund nearly a dozen pieces of the health law, and another vote is planned for next week to repeal the law’s CLASS Act. But the House hasn’t taken up repeal of the individual mandate, which polls prove is the least popular piece of the law.

The Senate continues to block the passage of any Health Care Reform repeal attempts. However, that hasn't stopped House Repulicans from attempting numerous repeals of the various parts of the law. One such vote is scheduled soon. The Hill's "Vote to repeal part of healthcare reform law set for next week" gives details.

The House Rules Committee on Tuesday approved instructions for consideration of a bill to repeal the health law's long-term-care CLASS Act, setting up a vote on the House floor next week.

While the attempts to stop the health care law are important, just as important is what new health care reforms will replace the law. Is this something we will want to take effect without thorough review of the details? And my answer is a resounding NO.

From GOP prepares bill to replace Obama's Supreme Court-bound healthcare law:

Republicans have made good on their promise to try to repeal Obama’s healthcare law, but the “replace” part of their “repeal and replace” strategy has proved more difficult. Pitts said Republicans will be ready for the opening a Supreme Court ruling will provide — no matter what the justices decide.

Although I would like to see certain reforms in the healthcare industry, I am hesitant to believe the federal government is going to be able to put anything into place that doesn't just make things worse. Any alternative reforms, no matter who puts them forth in congress, should certainly be met with a degree of skepticism and should be something we keep our eyes on.