Mid-Term Elections and The Future of Healthcare Reform

With the elections just over, and the Republicans gaining a majority in the House, the future of healthcare reform could change direction from the direction initially intended when the Affordable Care Act was signed into law on March 23, 2010.

Republicans could possibly interpret their mandate as a sign to change the legislation. They could possibly keep the provisions that have broad support, while adding elements such as malpractice reform, and methods of cost containment that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act currently lacks. As Republicans see many facets of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that need to be altered, they could also drastically change or remove those provisions that will increase the cost of care and not benefit consumers. Lastly, Republicans could see last week's victory as a signal to repeal the healthcare reform legislation, and reject compromise on important changes.

Rejecting compromise may earn Republicans political points in the short term, but it's terrible public policy. The damage that an ideological point of view can have on controversial legislation such as the PPACA has been proven in the results of these elections. While a full repeal of healthcare reform will face a presidential veto, lawmakers are most likely instead to go after incremental changes to the law in order to keep the healthcare reform debate at the top of Americans' minds leading up to the 2012 elections. If Americans are fortunate, the GOP House members will elect to repeal the new healthcare reform law, but then compromise for useful changes to the PPACA when the Senate decides against the repeal.

Political strategists also say that Republicans could potentially make use of the oversight authority of Congress to either block regulations or slow them down, which would ultimately stall the progress of the law. Congressional hearings will most likely focus on implementing the new law, with a focus on the impact of the immediate reforms on costs and coverage. They will also focus on those reforms that will take place in 2014, and a stronger direct oversight of federal regulators.

Exit polls after the election showed that healthcare reform was the 2nd most important issue to voters, after the economy. Also, nearly 3 in 4 voters expressed dissatisfaction with the current Congress.

On November 18th, Republican and Democratic leaders of Congress are meeting with President Obama at the White House to talk about ways in which to work together in this new political landscape. The tone of this meeting will certainly dictate the direction of healthcare reform.


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