Following the Republicans' significant victory in Tuesday's election, President Obama said he was willing to consider "tweaks" of the healthcare reform law but he would not engage in a broad debate on it, according to a report by the New York Times.
"If the Republicans have ideas for how to improve our healthcare system, if they want to suggest modifications that would deliver faster, more effective reform … I am happy to consider some of those ideas," President Obama said. But he added: "We’d be misreading the election if we thought that the American people want to see us for the next two years relitigate the arguments that we had for the last two years."
He invited Republicans to bring their ideas for changing the health care legislation and said he would take another look at a controversial provision in the reform law requiring businesses to file 1099 tax forms for large purchases. Meanwhile, he challenged Republicans to take a position on popular provisions of the law, such as ending the practice of denying health insurance to those with pre-existing conditions.
Republicans, who picked up an estimated 60 seats in the House, with about two-dozen races still undecided, vowed they would strive to repeal the law. "I believe that the healthcare bill that was enacted by the current Congress will kill jobs in America, ruin the best healthcare system in the world and bankrupt our country," said Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio), who is expected to become the next speaker of the House.
Read the New York Times article on healthcare reform.
Read more coverage of the election.
- At Least 10 New GOP Governors May Slow Down Reform Implementation
- 7 Planned Actions Against Healthcare Reform Upon GOP Takeover of Key House Committee
- Reform Law is Key Reason Why GOP Expected to Win Most House Swing Districts
"If the Republicans have ideas for how to improve our healthcare system, if they want to suggest modifications that would deliver faster, more effective reform … I am happy to consider some of those ideas," President Obama said. But he added: "We’d be misreading the election if we thought that the American people want to see us for the next two years relitigate the arguments that we had for the last two years."
He invited Republicans to bring their ideas for changing the health care legislation and said he would take another look at a controversial provision in the reform law requiring businesses to file 1099 tax forms for large purchases. Meanwhile, he challenged Republicans to take a position on popular provisions of the law, such as ending the practice of denying health insurance to those with pre-existing conditions.
Republicans, who picked up an estimated 60 seats in the House, with about two-dozen races still undecided, vowed they would strive to repeal the law. "I believe that the healthcare bill that was enacted by the current Congress will kill jobs in America, ruin the best healthcare system in the world and bankrupt our country," said Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio), who is expected to become the next speaker of the House.
Read the New York Times article on healthcare reform.
Read more coverage of the election.
- At Least 10 New GOP Governors May Slow Down Reform Implementation
- 7 Planned Actions Against Healthcare Reform Upon GOP Takeover of Key House Committee
- Reform Law is Key Reason Why GOP Expected to Win Most House Swing Districts