The Washington Free Beacon’s Liz Harrington appeared on Fox News to discuss Republicans’ plan to replace Obamacare subsidies if the Supreme Court rules against the administration in King v. Burwell.
Republicans, under the leadership of Rep. Paul Ryan (R., Wis.), are closing in on an extension of subsidies for two years while rolling back major elements of the health care law. The proposal would cover those who would lose their coverage while buying Congressional Republicans time to come up with their own full replacement healthcare system.
Harrington explained that by winning the Supreme Court case, Republicans actually feel like they might be losing.
"They're not really excited about it because it is a tough position for them because if they win in the Supreme Court, they really feel like they're going to lose because they're really scared of the messaging war," Harrington said." "They could be blamed for millions of Americans losing these subsidies they're used to under Obamacare."
The Republicans are trying to come up with a plan so that they would not be blamed for losing the subsidies but also chip away at Obamacare. They would extend the subsidies for a short period of time and then the House would offer block grants so it is left up to the states to decide how to spend that money, Harrington explained.
On the other side, Harrington said she believed Democrats secretly wish they lose the case so they can blame Republicans for the deficiencies in the law they wrote.
"The Democrats want to lose in court. President Obama wants to lose in court; that is what they like to do best," Harrington said. "They want to unite and do what they like, which is hammer Republicans even though no Republicans voted for this law, they didn't write it."
The Supreme Court’s King v. Burwell decision is expected within a month.