Some Democrats wrestle with reform positions, others file amendments on repeal to force GOP votes against popular consumer protections

As the House vote on repealing the health law looms in the near future, some Democrats are contemplating their votes in the context of stiff election pressure or expressing their doubts about the measure's individual mandate. Meanwhile, in a strategic measure, other Democrats are pursuing amendments to the GOP repeal bill that would force up-or-down votes on the health care law's popular consumer provisions.

Politico: McCaskill Moves Away From Mandate
Speaking on MSNBC Wednesday morning, Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill suggested that Democrats should ditch the individual mandate required in President Obama's health reform law (Catanese, 1/5).

The Hill: Dems Up For Reelection Under Pressure To Nix Healthcare Mandate
Democrats who are nervous about reelection are increasingly ready to consider scrapping the new health care law's provision that forces people to buy health insurance or pay a fine. Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), one of President Obama's closest allies in the Senate, on Wednesday said she would consider scrapping the controversial mandate in favor of a "viable" alternative (Millman and Bolton, 1/5).

The Hill, in a separate story: Amendments To Health Reform Repeal Filed By Dems To Force Vote
House Democrats on Wednesday filed four amendments to Republicans' health care reform repeal bill in a bid to force an up-or-down vote on popular patient protections in the bill (Pecquet, 1/5).