It is hard to begrudge Democrats a little self-satisfaction as they watch Republicans struggle to overhaul the American health-insurance model. Facing passionate denunciations from constituents at town halls and amid increasing dissension from within their own ranks, Republicans are getting a taste of what Democrats endured in 2009 and 2010. Given the growing list of Republicans expressing discomfort with what has been billed as “phase one” of a three-phase ObamaCare repeal and replacement process, prospects for passing the House version of the bill are murky. Democrats would, however, be mistaken to presume that they are positioned to benefit in the near-term if the GOP's reform effort stalls. Democrats are by no means off the hook for the effects of the Affordable Care Act.
Despite the assertions of Republican House leadership that the current bill is virtually non-negotiable, it is by no means assured that this iteration will be the one that passes the House much less the Senate. With Republicans like Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton feeling stronger about attacking the House plan in public and insisting the lower chamber goes back to the drawing board, House leadership should be nervous but not panicked. If they want to force through this bill, there are tools at their disposal to punish recalcitrant members. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has signaled his intention to force through the House bill and, if worse came to worse in the upper chamber, the White House appears prepared to deploy the president to pressure Republican holdouts.
Read Full Article »