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Tuesday’s pivotal mid-term elections have brought us a new Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives and a tighter Democratic majority in the U.S. Senate. At this time, the margin in the House is: 240 Republicans and 186 Democrats, with 10 seats undecided - a net gain as of this date of 60 GOP seats. The current margin in the Senate is: 52 Democrats (including 2 Independents) and 46 Republicans - a net gain of six GOP seats, with two seats (AK and WA) undecided. Although the GOP are assured 47 seats, as Lisa Murkowski or Joe Miller is likely to be Alaska’s next Senator, holding the seat for the GOP. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) was able to retain his seat.

The election to-date also has brought seven Republican net gains in governorships (with three races undecided) as well as Republican gains in most state legislatures across the country.

Also of note, exit polls found healthcare was the second most important factor driving votes (19 percent), trailing voters’ top issue, the economy (62 percent). In addition, exit polls show that about half of voters want the health reform law repealed while nearly half wanted it expanded or kept in place.

With the election now behind us, Congress will return to Washington the week of November 15 for leadership and organizational elections (e.g., committee assignments and chairmanships, committee ratios, etc.). Congress will then reconvene after Thanksgiving for a lame-duck session to complete work on outstanding issues, including government funding bills and an extension of the Medicare “doc fix.”

Looking ahead to the new 112th Congress, the election results represent a new post-reform political landscape for us. With Republicans now in charge of the House, we are likely to see increased congressional oversight hearings on health reform implementation as well as efforts to repeal or de-fund portions of the health law. We also expect continuing legal challenges to key health reform provisions, including the individual mandate. On the Democratic side, the Administration will continue to move forward with implementation efforts.

Under the new split-control in Congress and a continuing Democratic Administration, our goal will remain the same - work with all policymakers on a bipartisan basis to educate and advocate for affordable, high quality and accessible healthcare for all Americans.

Stay tuned…