Republicans respond to ads attacking Rep. Taylor over health-care vote

May 09--Republicans responded Tuesday to online ads critical of Rep. Scott Taylor's vote for a GOP health care bill with an ad of their own.

The 50-second GOP spot that is being pushed via the internet to residents of Taylor's 2nd Congressional District alternately praised the Republican health care bill that passed the House of Representatives last week and lambasted the existing health care law.

The ad, which has aired in 23 congressional districts outside Virginia, doesn't mentioned Taylor, a Virginia Beach Republican. It says the GOP bill, which repeals key parts of the Affordable Care Act known as Obamacare, would give people more health care options and be more affordable. It argues that Obamacare is "collapsing" and Democrats aren't doing anything about it.

Maddie Anderson, spokeswoman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, said her party intends to make health care an issue in next year's congressional elections.

"The status quo was insufficient, and Republicans took action. Delivering on promises to Americans should not be a groundbreaking concept, but somehow the Democrats are unable to wrap their minds around it," Anderson said in a statement.

The message contrasts with online ads critical of Taylor by the Democratic Party and the advocacy group Save Our Care. They contend the GOP bill will harm people by -- among other things -- loosening the rules requiring that all policies provide a minimum package of benefits and weakening protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions.

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