A top GOP strategist is focusing on parts of the reform law that would be easiest to repeal, including assigning Medicare beneficiaries to accountable care organizations without their consent, according to a report by The Hill.
While the GOP may not be able to repeal the entire law, James Capretta, a former Office of Management and Budget staffer under President Bush and now a fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, suggested repealing certain parts of the law. Speaking in a forum at the Hudson Institute, he suggested focusing on four changes:
1. Delaying cuts to Medicare Advantage until 2013, offset by delays to the subsidies for people to buy insurance.
2. Repealing the Independent Payment Advisory Board, which is opposed by many healthcare organizations, including the AMA and, most recently, the AHA.
3. Requiring Medicare beneficiaries' consent to join specific ACOs instead of being assigned to one.
4. Giving states more flexibility on how they implement the law.
Even though Democrats still control the Senate, Mr. Capretta said Republicans may be able to win over centrist Democrats on these issues.
However, Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), chair of both the Senate Health Committee and the Appropriations health subcommittee, vowed he would oppose all proposals to repeal or defund the law. "Frankly, I don’t think working Americans will stand for a Republican crusade to take away the benefits and protections in the new health reform law," Sen. Harkin said in a statement.
Read Mr. Capretta's remarks in The Hill on healthcare reform.
Read more coverage on repealing the healthcare reform law:
- 6 Ways Republicans Plan to Chip Away at Reform Law After Election
- Obama Open to 'Tweaks' But Not Revamp of Reform Law
- AHA Now Backing Repeal of Independent Payment Advisory Board
While the GOP may not be able to repeal the entire law, James Capretta, a former Office of Management and Budget staffer under President Bush and now a fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, suggested repealing certain parts of the law. Speaking in a forum at the Hudson Institute, he suggested focusing on four changes:
1. Delaying cuts to Medicare Advantage until 2013, offset by delays to the subsidies for people to buy insurance.
2. Repealing the Independent Payment Advisory Board, which is opposed by many healthcare organizations, including the AMA and, most recently, the AHA.
3. Requiring Medicare beneficiaries' consent to join specific ACOs instead of being assigned to one.
4. Giving states more flexibility on how they implement the law.
Even though Democrats still control the Senate, Mr. Capretta said Republicans may be able to win over centrist Democrats on these issues.
However, Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), chair of both the Senate Health Committee and the Appropriations health subcommittee, vowed he would oppose all proposals to repeal or defund the law. "Frankly, I don’t think working Americans will stand for a Republican crusade to take away the benefits and protections in the new health reform law," Sen. Harkin said in a statement.
Read Mr. Capretta's remarks in The Hill on healthcare reform.
Read more coverage on repealing the healthcare reform law:
- 6 Ways Republicans Plan to Chip Away at Reform Law After Election
- Obama Open to 'Tweaks' But Not Revamp of Reform Law
- AHA Now Backing Repeal of Independent Payment Advisory Board