How Republicans Could Dramatically Undermine Health Reform Law Without A Fight

Brian Beutler | March 7, 2011, 8:45AM

In the coming days, Republicans could quietly weaken the health care law by imposing a major financial burden on middle-class consumers, without even having to put up a fight. And privately, Democratic sources in both chambers say they fear that the Senate Democratic leadership won't go to bat to prevent it.

The issue arises because of a bipartisan consensus that one financing provision in the law -- the so-called 1099 provision -- should be repealed. Bipartisan majorities in both the House and Senate have voted to strike the measure, which requires businesses to report all transactions with vendors in excess of $600 to the IRS. Lax reporting requirements cost the U.S. Treasury billions of dollars a year.