Republican push to undo health law will be no easy task

Even as the GOP flexes its new political muscle, news outlets offer analysis of the difficulties involved in the long-term strategy to prevent the health law's implementation — including the difficulties involved in attempts to defund it. Meanwhile, PBS explores how this debate could trigger the return of the "death panel" issue.

NPR: GOP Faces Uphill Climb to Undo Health Law
One of the top items on Republicans' to-do list when they take over control of the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday is to undo one of the Democrats' signature achievements of the last Congress: the sweeping health system overhaul. And when that vote comes, which could be as soon as next week, it's expected to pass with overwhelming — possibly even unanimous — Republican support. But while House Republicans are likely to hail it as a major victory and campaign promise kept, it's unlikely to get far in the Senate, which remains controlled by Democrats. … But again, House Republicans can't act alone. And even delaying or defunding it won't be easy (Rovner, 1/4).

Los Angeles Times: Republicans Ready To Flex New Muscle In Congress
Stepping into the spotlight of a new Congress this week, freshly empowered Republicans are vowing to undo much of the work of the last Congress and launch investigations into a raft of Obama administration programs. But their heavily partisan strategy runs the risk of alienating voters who are more concerned about jobs. At a moment when Republicans finally have the attention of economically beleaguered Americans, they will spend the time on an effort to repeal the health care overhaul, challenges to federal regulations and a reading of the Constitution on the House floor (Mascaro and Hennessey, 1/3).

PBS NewsHour: Government Regulation Prompts New Look at 'Death Panel' Debate
As Republicans plan their strategy to go after the health care reform law "piece by piece" this year, one circa-2009 issue looks to be poised for a comeback: end-of-life-care (Winerman, 1/3).