In the Nov. 2 elections, the fate of the healthcare reform law may depend more on what happens in dozens of state-level races than on the outcome of the Congressional races, according to a report by Politico.
While a Republican majority in Congress still wouldn't be able to override President Obama's veto, GOP governors and their appointees could throw up roadblocks for major parts of the law.
For example, governors could refuse to set up state-based insurance exchanges, where most Americans would purchase coverage beginning in 2014. Governors in many states appoint the insurance commissioners and Medicaid directors who would administer the exchanges.
Current Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback, who is expected to win the gubernatorial race in that state, has promised to fight health reform "every step of the way." And the state's GOP candidate for attorney general, Derek Schmidt, has pledged to join the 20-state lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the health law.
In South Carolina, Republican gubernatorial candidate Nikki Haley has promised to lead governors in repealing the law, and Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett, running for governor in that state, has joined the multistate lawsuit.
Read the Politico report on the elections.
Read more coverage of the elections:
- Healthcare Trade Groups Shifting Support to Republicans
- GOP Victory Might Prompt Longer-Term Physician Fee Fix
- GOP Senate Candidate Rand Paul Suggests Wealthy Should Pay More for Medicare
While a Republican majority in Congress still wouldn't be able to override President Obama's veto, GOP governors and their appointees could throw up roadblocks for major parts of the law.
For example, governors could refuse to set up state-based insurance exchanges, where most Americans would purchase coverage beginning in 2014. Governors in many states appoint the insurance commissioners and Medicaid directors who would administer the exchanges.
Current Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback, who is expected to win the gubernatorial race in that state, has promised to fight health reform "every step of the way." And the state's GOP candidate for attorney general, Derek Schmidt, has pledged to join the 20-state lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the health law.
In South Carolina, Republican gubernatorial candidate Nikki Haley has promised to lead governors in repealing the law, and Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett, running for governor in that state, has joined the multistate lawsuit.
Read the Politico report on the elections.
Read more coverage of the elections:
- Healthcare Trade Groups Shifting Support to Republicans
- GOP Victory Might Prompt Longer-Term Physician Fee Fix
- GOP Senate Candidate Rand Paul Suggests Wealthy Should Pay More for Medicare