What Does The Election Hold For Healthcare Reform?

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With Election Day less than 24 hours away, President Barack Obama and former Governor Mitt Romney are winding down what has oftentimes been a contentious campaign for the White House. Party lines on topics ranging from the economy to foreign policy to immigration have been written in stone for some time. As both candidates have journeyed around the country, stumping for every last vote in key battleground states, there is a clear divide on how the nation should address these areas. 

Outside of the economy, perhaps no area has generated as much heated debate as healthcare reform. The passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), or “Obamacare” as it has come to be known, is intended to increase the number of insured Americans while reducing the costs of healthcare. Already the effects of the bill are taking place as there has been a seismic shift to pay-for-performance models such as value-based purchasing (VBP). 

Naturally, as seems to be the case in Washington nowadays whether it’s a bill championed by the Republicans or cause sponsored by the Democrats, there has been significant and immediate pushback from the opposing party. The GOP side was against the PPACA bill from the beginning, and has actively spoken out against its merits for the better part of two and a half years. As part of Governor Romney’s campaign platform, he promises to repeal and replace the law if elected. Of course, if President Obama wins a second term, healthcare reform will be go into full effect and changes to health policy in the United States will continue to roll out.

But because the margin of votes between the candidates is razor-thin, it is not known what will happen if either side wins. Marc Koch, MD, MBA, president and CEO of Somnia Anesthesia, provided his thoughts for both possibilities. Dr. Koch says, “Should the President be re-elected, it is almost guaranteed that his signature piece of legislation, Obamacare, will continue to be implemented, perhaps with less of a sense of urgency. It is unlikely that the Republicans will win enough seats in both houses to repeal the legislation and overcome a veto. Moreover, even with a Majority in the House, the Republican members have not shown an appetite to defund the legislation given that this would cause a terminal impasse resulting in a government shutdown.” If Governor Romney is the winner, Dr. Koch says, “What happens with Obamacare depends on what happens in the Senate. That is, assuming the House remains in Republican hands, which seems likely given polling data. Should the Senate go Republican, an all-out attempt to repeal is likely with special attention paid to avoid a filibuster. Should the Senate remain Democratic, then President Romney will dismantle the program through his administrative powers.”

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