Despite Election Results, Repeal of Healthcare Reform Unlikely in the Near Future

A key Republican message during the election was a promise to “repeal and replace” the healthcare reform law. With a resounding Republican landslide in this year’s general election, the House majority will likely introduce a repeal bill early in the 112th Congress. However, even if a repeal bill is passed through both chambers, it would almost certainly be vetoed by the President. Other possibilities are repeal of certain provisions rather than the entire law and a refusal to provide additional implementation funding. Republican-led committees are likely to conduct more oversight of the Department of Health and Human Services in an attempt to increase public opposition to the law.

Key Senate and House committees will also be impacted by the election results. Only one Democratic member of the Senate Finance Committee was defeated and the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee lost just two Democrats to retirement.

With a rash of retirements and Democratic losses, most House Committees will experience an overhaul in their respective make-up. The Energy and Commerce Committee is no exception, where Fred Upton (R-MI) is likely to take the reins from current Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA). House Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Dave Camp (R-MI) is expected to become chairman.

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