GOP: Don't Just be the 'Party of No'
Published on
September 28, 2009
By Whit Ayres | Politico
Paying for health care costs has become the No. 1 financial concern of American voters today (see the Resurgent Republic website at www.resurgentrepublic.com). Consequently, efforts to control health care costs enjoy majority support. Americans support initiatives such as greater use of information technology, more emphasis on preventive care, and medical malpractice reform to reduce defensive medicine.
Americans also support ensuring greater access to health insurance to help pay for health care costs. Requiring health insurance companies to accept applicants with pre-existing conditions and forbidding companies from canceling policies garner overwhelming support.
Republicans have every incentive to support health care reform with these provisions. They should not be just the “party of no.” Come campaign time, voters need to know what health care reforms Republicans have supported.
Unfortunately, Republicans in Congress are unlikely to have the opportunity to vote on a bill with those limited options. Democratic proposals being advanced on Capitol Hill are far more expansive and expensive.
There is no political downside for Republicans to oppose health care bills that will raise insurance premiums, hike taxes or expand the mountain of federal debt.