Republicans Now Own Health Care - And All Its Political Ramifications

Republicans Now Own Health Care -- And All Its Political Ramifications

Long used as a political weapon against Democrats, health care now stands to cast a shadow on Republican lawmakers' 2018 campaigns. "We have the House, the Senate, the White House," said David Winston, a GOP strategist who advises congressional leaders. "People are going to expect points on the board." Meanwhile, House Speaker Paul Ryan's approval ratings among staffers drops to its lowest point.

The Associated Press: Health Care Defeat Means GOP Risks Blame In '18 Elections

The crash of the House Republican health care bill may well have transformed an issue the party has long used to bash Democrats into the GOP's own political nightmare. Since former President Barack Obama's health care overhaul was enacted in 2010, Republicans have blamed Democrats for rising premiums and diminished choices of insurers and doctors in many markets. Repealing Obama's law has been a paramount GOP campaign promise that helped them grab control of the House that year, the Senate in 2014 and elected Donald Trump to the White House last November. (Fram, 4/1)

CQ Roll Call: Survey: GOP Staffers Reel In Aftermath Of Health Care Setback

Republican aides are reeling from the implosion of their attempt to repeal President Barack Obama’s health care law, according to the latest CQ Roll Call Capitol Insiders Survey. Paul D. Ryan’s approval rating among House GOP staffers has dropped to its lowest level since he became speaker in 2015, plummeting from 85 percent three weeks after Election Day to 44 percent in March. Those are levels not seen — for either party’s congressional leaders — since the ouster of Ryan’s predecessor, John A. Boehner of Ohio, a year and a half ago. (Zeller, 4/3)

Morning Consult: Conservative Groups Offer Political Cover To HFC As Sniping Continues

A group of conservative organizations on Friday circled the wagons for the House Freedom Caucus in the face of attacks by President Donald Trump and other Republicans over the failure of the House GOP’s health care plan. On Friday morning, a week after the bill’s failure and day after some HFC members were name-checked by the president on Twitter, representatives from nine conservative groups held a conference call for reporters to offer the lawmakers political cover. (Yokley, 3/31)

And Politico talks with two moderates about the future of health care —

Politico: Sen. Susan Collins And Rep. Charlie Dent On What's Next For Health Care

Conservatives are feuding with the White House over health care. House Speaker Paul Ryan is warning President Trump against doing a deal with Democrats. If there's a path to health reform, it may run through moderate Republicans — and on this PULSE CHECK, you’re going to hear from two of the most prominent in Congress. (Diamond, 3/31)

This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.

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