A protest against Republican efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, in Los Angeles.
Credit: David McNew

What exactly are we fighting over when it comes to health reform? Is there really a fundamental philosophical difference between the parties’ positions? Does either party actually have a philosophy of American health care?

On the one hand, the difference between the parties seems clear: the GOP plan is basically a tax cut for the rich that takes health care away from the poorest Americans and leaves the states holding the bag. But, as a matter of structure — as opposed to generosity — the GOP plan may differ from Obamacare a lot less than it looks (setting aside the cruelty of its effects).

The House plan relies on government tax credits, regulation of the insurance industry, and continued government funding to keep the low-income population insured. In other words, it is a plan that relies on both government intervention and the private sector. And it walks a thin line between the idea that […]

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