House GOP mulls health-law alternative

Associated Press

WASHINGTON

House Republican leaders took a small step Friday toward pulling together a viable alternative to President Barack Obama’s 4-year-old health care law but faced deep divisions over whether the GOP caucus can coalesce around a comprehensive proposal.

Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Virginia met privately with Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington state, the vice chairwoman of the Republican Conference, and three Republican committee chairmen — Budget’s Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, Education’s John Kline, of Minnesota, and Ways and Means’ Dave Camp of Michigan — to discuss a way forward.

The session, which produced no legislation, comes in an election year in which Republicans see the unpopular law as their ticket to political victory in November. Democrats have struggled to defend the Affordable Care Act, especially vulnerable Senate incumbents whose fate could decide majority control.

The GOP expects to keep its House majority and sees a legitimate shot at gaining the six seats necessary to seize control of the Senate.

Republicans who have derided Obama’s law have voted some 50 times to repeal, gut or change the Affordable Care Act, but they’ve been unable to unify around a credible alternative. The House is slated to vote next week on a measure that targets one element of the law, eliminating the penalty for individuals who fail to sign up for health care insurance.