Obama Health Care

With Republicans now in control of the House, it’s a sure bet that Obama health care will face new scrutiny.  As Republicans vow to repeal the new health law, it won’t likely prove to be an easy feat; in fact, it will probably be all but impossible to carry out their campaign promises since the President himself is the one in control of the veto pen.

In January, the new GOP majority will be large – but the Senate is still controlled by Democrats, who lean heavily in favor of Obama health care.  Combine that with the fact that the GOP is still too small to override a veto by the President, and things don’t look favorable for repealing Obama health care.

According to Michael Cannon, director of health policy studies for the libertarian Cato Institute, says House Republicans may still have a few effective weapons in their arsenal.  Cannon predicts that now that Republicans rule the House, Obama health care will become even less popular than it has been for the last year and a half, as they do everything possible to cripple or throw a wrench in the new laws.

Oversight hearings could either help or hinder Obama health care according to Cannon.  In his opinion, Republicans could actually help nail down public opinion against the health care laws by keeping bad news in the media, via hearings that would keep Obama administration health officials busy at Capitol Hill trying to actually implement the law.

On the other hand, Cannon says that numerous hearings could also give the Obama administration the opportunity to make its case, one that was often misunderstood or unheard by many during the election campaign.  Obama health care is not clearly understood by a large percentage of Americans, which is one reason it is so unpopular.

Following the recent elections, the President indicated that he may be open to a few change in Obama health care, even suggesting the repeal of increasing the number of 1099 forms that are required to be filed with the IRS by small businesses, a provision that was unpopular with small business owners.  From the looks of things, it’s a good bet that Obama health care will still be in the news for the foreseeable future.

Mark South
Obama Health Care

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