Analysis: A non-American’s guide to the 2022 US midterms
There are few issues that unify the Democratic Party and the Republican Party in the country. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a prime example. The law has been widely popular and has generally improved the health of the United States. However, it has been the focal point of partisan bickering and has been the subject of intense political debate.
In the wake of the failed Republican healthcare reform efforts of 2017 and 2018 — including the repeal and replacement of the ACA with the so-called American Health Care Act — Republicans and Democrats had become increasingly divided and unable to come to an agreement.
In late 2018, President Donald Trump chose former US congressman and chairman of the Republican Party John Kasich to lead the repeal effort. Kasich had previously served as US ambassador to the European Union and as Ohio’s governor from January 2011 until January 2013. His efforts in Congress to repeal Obamacare earned him the epithet of “Mr. Healthcare” by the media.
In December 2019, two months after Kasich died, the Senate’s healthcare reform bill collapsed in large part because it lacked the necessary votes to pass. As a result, the legislation was withdrawn and the failed repeal bill became the law of the land.
As the year began, Americans felt energized and optimistic about the 2020 presidential election and potential for 2020 Democrats to retake the House of Representatives from the Republicans. In the meantime, Republicans continued to gain support in the Congress, increasing control over the Senate and raising the possibility of a Republican win in 2020. Democrats were energized by the failed GOP attempts to repeal Obamacare and, in turn, President Trump’s decision to appoint a former governor from a swing state into the next presidency.
When the Republican Party’s Senate majority passed their healthcare bill last year, Republicans were poised to have almost 60 seats in the upper chamber. With three-time former Ohio Governor John Kasich’ appointment as Trump’s running mate, the Republicans were now well above 60 seats. However, after the failure of the bill, Republicans lost five seats, including a fifth swing state, to Democrats.
