Despite Vance’s Remarks, GOP Seems to Have Little Appetite for ACA Reform

With five weeks to go until election day, the vice presidential candidates sparred over health care during their Oct. 1 debate. There were no new revelations, but the Affordable Care Act was top of mind for both Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) and Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), despite some industry observers’ belief that Republicans might want the candidates to steer clear of any major reforms. 

Vance briefly touched on his idea to move higher-risk people into separate risk pools in the individual market and allow states to “experiment a little bit” on coverage for healthier people and those with pre-existing conditions. Vance claimed protections for pre-existing conditions would remain in place but that he would also try to “make the health insurance marketplace function a little bit better.”