Tough Questions From Judges In Health Law Case Spark New Urgency For GOP To Come Up With 'Replace' Plan

Republican lawmakers are taking a new look at the options to replace the health law in case the court challenge working its way toward the Supreme Court is successful. The party has long struggled to craft replacement legislation, and had in previous months abandoned efforts to do so.

The Hill: Republicans Make U-Turn On Health Care

Senate Republicans are reversing course and now taking a hard look at health care legislation to replace the 2010 Affordable Care Act in case the courts strike down former President Obama’s signature achievement. There’s a sense of urgency among GOP lawmakers to come up with a plan to replace the most popular components of ObamaCare after a panel of appellate judges on Tuesday aggressively questioned whether the law passes legal muster following Congress’s repeal of the tax penalty for not having insurance. (Bolton, 7/14)

Politico: Republicans Ready To Dive Off A Cliff On Obamacare

After a decade of trying to gut Obamacare, Republicans may finally get their wish thanks to a Trump administration-backed lawsuit. Its success would cause chaos not only in the insurance markets but on Capitol Hill. And Republican senators largely welcome it — even if they don’t know what comes next. “I’m ready for it to succeed,” said Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.). “I would love to get back in and actually deal with health care again.” “Do I hope the lawsuit succeeds? I do,” said Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.). “What I wish is we had some idea where we are going if it does succeed, as it looks more and more like it might.” Even Republicans not known for taking a hard line are eager for a forcing mechanism to take on Obamacare. (Everett, 7/14)

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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