With Republicans replacing Democrats as governors in at least 10 states in Tuesday's elections, these new GOP executives could slow implementation of the healthcare reform law, according to a report by Kaiser Health News.
On the federal level, Republicans won control of the House but fell short in the Senate and still face President Obama's veto. On the state level, however, GOP governors could slow down implementation of the law until the party has a chance to take over the White House in 2012.
The governors could seek waivers from some provisions in the law, veto related state legislation and appoint insurance commissioners opposed to the law. Each state must decide whether to set up health insurance exchanges, grant insurance commissioners more authority over premium increases and plan on enrolling some 16 million new Medicaid recipients nationwide in 2014.
In addition to winning new governorships in states like Kansas, Tennessee and Oklahoma, the GOP increased representation in many state legislatures and two candidates opposing the reform law won races for state insurance commissioner.
Many of the governors-elect have spoken out against the reform law in no uncertain terms. Sam Brownback of Kansas called it "an abomination." Bill Haslam of Tennessee said it is an "intolerable expansion" of federal power and a "reminder of the incredible arrogance of Washington." And John Kasich of Ohio said it is "giving bureaucrats more control over our personal healthcare decisions."
Read the Kaiser Health News report on healthcare reform.
Read more coverage of the elections:
- Reform's Fate More Closely Tied to State Races Than Congressional Outcomes
- Reform Law is Key Reason Why GOP Expected to Win Most House Swing Districts
- GOP Victory Might Prompt Longer-Term Physician Fee Fix
On the federal level, Republicans won control of the House but fell short in the Senate and still face President Obama's veto. On the state level, however, GOP governors could slow down implementation of the law until the party has a chance to take over the White House in 2012.
The governors could seek waivers from some provisions in the law, veto related state legislation and appoint insurance commissioners opposed to the law. Each state must decide whether to set up health insurance exchanges, grant insurance commissioners more authority over premium increases and plan on enrolling some 16 million new Medicaid recipients nationwide in 2014.
In addition to winning new governorships in states like Kansas, Tennessee and Oklahoma, the GOP increased representation in many state legislatures and two candidates opposing the reform law won races for state insurance commissioner.
Many of the governors-elect have spoken out against the reform law in no uncertain terms. Sam Brownback of Kansas called it "an abomination." Bill Haslam of Tennessee said it is an "intolerable expansion" of federal power and a "reminder of the incredible arrogance of Washington." And John Kasich of Ohio said it is "giving bureaucrats more control over our personal healthcare decisions."
Read the Kaiser Health News report on healthcare reform.
Read more coverage of the elections:
- Reform's Fate More Closely Tied to State Races Than Congressional Outcomes
- Reform Law is Key Reason Why GOP Expected to Win Most House Swing Districts
- GOP Victory Might Prompt Longer-Term Physician Fee Fix