Republicans Begin To Shape Obamacare Alternative

By Rachel Christiansen

Four Republicans were identified Thursday as the architects of a Republican alternative to the health care reform law passed during the last Congress. 

Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.), Rep. Dave Camp (R-Mich), Rep. John Kline (R-Minn.) and Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas)  are the chairmen of four committees who will help draft the replacement bill.

“We have been instructed to meet broad goals related to bringing down health care costs, expanding access to coverage, and maintaining the doctor-patient relationship,” said Rep. Upton, the Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee. 

Camp, Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, said that they will approach the issue through a standpoint of creating jobs and economic growth.

Kline is the chair of the Education and Workforce Committee and Smith chairs the Judiciary Committee.

The House voted 245-189 Wednesday night to repeal the current health care law. However, the repeal is unlikely to gain much traction in the Democratically controlled Senate.