What Next for Efforts to Repeal Healthcare?

Making News

President Hu Meets with Congressional Leaders ()

After the toasts and tributes at the Obama White House, China's President Hu Jintao got a mixture of international diplomacy and domestic politics on Capitol Hill as he met with leaders of both the House and the Senate. That's according to Helene Cooper, diplomatic correspondent for the New York Times.

Guests:

• Helene Cooper: Diplomatic Correspondent, New York Times

Main Topic

Healthcare, the Congress and Presidential Politics ()

As promised during last year's campaign, House Republicans have voted unanimously to repeal the President's healthcare reform. Three Democrats joined the 242 Republicans yesterday to pass what's officially called the Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act. Democrats, who control the Senate, have said they won't even allow a vote on the measure, trumpeting the benefits they say would be lost. If it did pass in the Upper House, it would face a presidential veto. As both parties strategize for next year's presidential campaign, attorneys general in 26 states have taken the matter to federal court. What are the political risks for both sides?  What's at stake for the federal deficit, job growth and business, and coverage for 30 million uninsured Americans?  

Guests:

• Ron Brownstein: Political Director, Atlantic Media, @RonBrownstein
• James Gelfand: Senior Manager of Health Policy, US Chamber of Commerce
• Ezra Klein: Staff Writer, Washington Post, @ezraklein
• Chris Littleton: Co-founder, Ohio Liberty Council, @clittleton
• Ron Pollack: Executive Director, Families USA, @FamiliesUSA

Links:

• CBO's preliminary analysis of HR 2 (to repeal healthcare reform)
• Brownstein on parties' competing plans to control healthcare costs
• US Chamber of Commerce's stance against HR 2
• Klein on GOP vote to repeal, not replace healthcare reform
• Klein on the look of healthcare in 2030
• OLC's petition drive on the 'Health Care Freedom Amendment'
• Families USA's opposition to HR 2

Reporter's Notebook

Walmart's Plan to Sell Healthier Foods ()

Walmart sells more groceries than any other American company, enough to make it a major force in shaping the marketplace. Today, First Lady Michelle Obama appeared with Walmart officials, including Walmart President and CEO Bill Simon, as the company announced a five-year plan to make packaged foods healthier and fruits and vegetables cheaper. The announcement was made at a community center in Washington's Anacostia neighborhood. Kim Severson, who writes about nutrition for the New York Times, is the author of Spoon Fed: How Eight Cooks Saved My Life, due out in paper in March.

Guests:

• Kim Severson: Food Writer, New York Times

Links:

• Board of Health bans trans fats from NYC restaurants