Republicans plan on highlighting their repeal of the individual mandate in the Affordable Care Act in their midterm campaigns, risking a backlash should insurers announce premium increases in the fall.
The GOP couldn't enact their plans to fully repeal Obamacare, but they were able to remove the individual mandate in their tax law.
"That's the only fundamental change we've been able to make to Obamacare, legislatively, and rates were a disaster before," Rep. Patrick McHenry, House GOP deputy whip, told Axios.
He added that whether members will choose to highlight their votes "depends on the district, depends on the member."
A senior House GOP aide described the party's strategy: "Every time it is brought up, use that as an opportunity to remind voters who paid the mandate tax. It was people who already couldn't afford [health care]. Not people choosing not to purchase. Most immoral tax we had."
This aide added, "Premiums going up is a 'hey let's chat about tax reform' moment. But if mandate [repeal] contributes to higher premiums, it means that they were artificially made lower on the backs of low income individuals."
Some, both in and out of the party, are less than convinced that this strategy is a smart move for Republicans, and worry that it would remind voters of the GOP's failure to follow through on repealing Obamacare, or that voters might draw a connection between Republicans and rising premiums.
"If Obamacare is popular in your district, taking credit for repealing the mandate makes you vulnerable to Democrats' message that you screwed up Obamacare," an unnamed former Republican aide said.
"Apparently Republicans think it's a good idea to tell voters that they really wanted to fully repeal health care but only got the first chunk, which will raise premiums 10%. Good luck with that," Democratic consultant Jesse Ferguson added.
"The only thing worse than voting for rate hikes is trying to convince voters it was a good thing."
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