Should Republicans back down on health care?
With the public's opposition to the health-care law waning, pushing repeal could get risky for the GOP

As House Republicans launched debate this week on repealing the health-care law, public opposition to President Obama's signature legislative achievement may be softening. A new poll finds that 40 percent of respondents say they support the law, which would expand coverage to 30 million uninsured Americans, while 41 percent oppose it. (By comparison, after the November midterms, only 38 percent supported it and 47 percent were opposed.) Only one in four Americans now want to scrap the law entirely. Should the GOP cool its fervor for repeal? (Watch an AP report about health care opposition)
After the symbolic House vote, the GOP should drop repeal: Even if the House pushes this "charade" through, says Dan Amira in New York, "the hilariously named 'Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act'" will be stopped in its tracks in the Senate. The GOP should drop the matter after this "symbolic protest" — otherwise, Republicans will actually have to come up with a viable approach.
"Republican health-care repeal charade will please only one in four Americans"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
No, repeal is a winning issue for Republicans: It's "wishful thinking" for liberals to dismiss repeal as a stunt, says Jennifer Rubin in The Washington Post. The House will pass it, and then red-state senators "will be forced to vote again and again on the deeply flawed legislation." During the debate, the public will find out how problematic the law is — and how the $1 trillion price tag we've been sold is a low-ball lie.
This is an opportunity for both sides: Predictably, the House's Republican majority will pass repeal, says Barbara Shelly at McClatchy Newspapers, then it will die in the Democratic-controlled Senate. But that's when both parties can rise above the rancorous debate and act like adults — honoring calls for civility that followed the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and "negotiating a health care detente." Perhaps, for instance, they can find a better alternative to mandated coverage, one of the main "sticking points."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Help! Do we really need four Beatles biopics?
Talking Point The cast of Sam Mendes' Beatles biopics has been announced
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Test driving the Rolls-Royce Spectre Black Badge
The Week Recommends We take the most powerful Rolls-Royce ever built for a spin in Barcelona
By Fergus Scholes Published
-
Tuberculosis is seeing a resurgence, and it's only going to get worse
Under the radar The spread of the deadly infection is buoyed by global unrest
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
By The Week Staff Published
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are the billionaires backing?
The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published