What editorial writers are saying about GOP's pledge on health care

The document, unveiled on Sept. 23, when several provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act took effect, is a template for what Republicans promise to do if they win control of Congress in November's midterm elections. Even before the "Pledge," the GOP spoke of wanting to overturn health reform if they gained control.

Repeal reform? Then what?

The pledge to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 must be addressed if the Nov. 2 election provides Republicans with a majority in Congress. Too many GOP candidates are promising repeal to forget about the idea around Nov. 3 or so. ... Candidates who oppose the law on economic grounds should be able to explain ... why making sure that 32.5 million more people are covered is not worth the cost. If the answer is "life is not fair," that's hard to deny. But the argument did not prevent the implementation of programs such as Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare. Now is not the time to challenge such fundamental government services. Now is not the time to halt progress on health care. We hope that time never comes. The Commercial Appeal (Memphis, Tenn.) Sept. 17

Pledge shows Republicans have been listening to Americans

Certainly the GOP's pledge isn't perfect. But it is responsive to what Americans have been saying the past year and a half: Enough! Republicans promise greater transparency, to try to turn back the unpopular Obamacare health reforms, to keep tax rates where they've been for the better part of a decade and to curb government spending. The Oklahoman (Oklahoma City), Sept. 27

The GOP's "pledge"

The Republican plan to "repeal and replace" the new reform law is set forth in a skimpy chapter that fails to offer any real alternative to cover uninsured Americans or reduce medical inflation. ... The pledge document does not mention the Republicans' plan -- should repeal fail -- to block the annual appropriations needed to carry out reform. That just-say-no approach is flat-out irresponsible. The health care reforms are so intertwined that it is hard to eliminate one provision without undermining others. The New York Times, Sept. 25

Realistic cuts to federal budget needed

As to repealing the health care reform bill, unless they're able to create a replacement, Republicans would create an even worse situation for Americans at the end of their ropes already. Aurora (Colo.) Sentinel, Sept. 26

GOP pledges to return America to basics

Republicans say they will repeal and rewrite Obamacare, a promise their voters expect them to keep, but one they may find difficult to fulfill absent control of the White House. Again, this is purely politics. Putting promises on paper to address the things that are most worrying Americans is a smart political move. But it also puts would-be Republican lawmakers on record saying what they will do if they take control of Congress. The Detroit News, Sept. 24

GOP's "Pledge to America" offers no answers to serious problems

So if Republicans succeed in repealing the health care law, what would they replace it with? Ironically, many of their suggestions build on or borrow from the law they want to eliminate, such as medical liability reform, a ban on insurance company rescissions and the elimination of lifetime spending caps. They do get one thing right -- it's true that the health care law doesn't do enough to control costs -- but they offer no meaningful mechanisms for addressing the inefficiencies and uncontrolled demand that are driving medical costs unsustainably higher. Los Angeles Times, Sept. 24