NARAL Issues Warning Shot to Democrats Who Aid in ACA Overhaul

NARAL Pro-Choice America, a leading reproductive rights group, is warning Democrats not to work with Republicans to repeal the Affordable Care Act if they want the group’s backing in the future.

“NARAL has a clear message for Democratic lawmakers: if you support Republicans in their effort to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, NARAL, our one million member activists, and our PAC will not support you in 2018 or beyond,” Ilyse Hogue, the group’s president, said Thursday in a statement.

The statement was issued in response to reports that some Democrats are considering assisting efforts to dismantle the health care law, the group said. Hogue praised the law for expanding access to health coverage to millions of people and for guaranteeing coverage of reproductive health care services, noting a recent Kaiser Family Foundation survey that showed 49 percent of Americans want to either continue implementing the ACA as is or expand it.

“Republican leaders have made clear their only intention is to repeal the law,” Hogue added. “They do not have now, nor are they likely to ever have, a meaningful plan to ‘replace’ this historic expansion of Americans’ health care. Democrats should not play this game with them.”

With Republicans poised to control Congress and the White House next month, lawmakers and the incoming administration are plotting to repeal parts of Obamacare early next year, and say they will replace it over the next few years. Republicans are planning to use the budget tool of reconciliation to repeal the law with a simple majority in the Senate, but have indicated they want to advance bipartisan measures for a replacement.

NARAL and affiliates gave $253,201 to candidates, all Democrats, during the 2016 election cycle, according to OpenSecrets.