The latest Republican primary debate had lots of clashes over a slew of issues including the Iran deal, taxes, the Middle East, Planned Parenthood and even Donald Trump’s casinos.
But there was one issue that was largely ignored by the 11 GOP hopefuls on stage at Ronald Reagan Presidential Library: Obamacare.
The controversial healthcare law only got glancing blows from the GOP candidates. Some said they would repeal the law as part of a laundry list of things they would do if elected president.
“We would repeal every word of Obamacare,” said Texas Sen. Ted Cruz in his closing remarks.
But there wasn’t any substantial discussion on the healthcare law, especially on what the various candidates would do once Obamacare was replaced.
The closest the candidates came to addressing the healthcare law was in relation to other issues.
For instance, CNN moderators asked former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush about the appointment of Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts.
Conservatives have criticized the chief justice, nominated by Bush’s brother, former president George W. Bush, for two separate votes to uphold key parts of Obamacare.
Bush, who is number four in the Washington Examiner’s presidential power rankings, quickly pivoted to discussing the type of justice he would appoint to the court.
The lack of discussion on the healthcare law, which is unpopular among Republicans, is part of a growing trend at the GOP debates. During the first debate in August, the healthcare law was also left relatively untouched.
Obamacare has been controversial since it was proposed in 2010.
Even though Republicans control both chambers of Congress, there is little chance of repealing the law with President Obama in office.
The House has voted more than 50 times to repeal the law, and House leadership is even suing the president over how he implemented parts of it. A federal judge recently ruled that lawsuit can move forward.
Even though discussion about what to replace Obamacare with was missing in the debate, it is still a part of the campaign trail. Several candidates have introduced plans on what they would install instead of Obamacare.
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker introduced a plan last month that would provide tax credits to anyone without employer-sponsored health insurance.
Gov. Bobby Jindal, relegated to the undercard debate earlier on Wednesday, has long proposed a healthcare plan that includes reforms such as giving all individuals the same standard deduction for health insurance and creating additional incentives for health savings accounts.
