Congressional Republicans have had some success in shifting the healthcare debate back to the reform law, but speculation about health entitlement cuts in a debt-ceiling deal could thwart their momentum.

After weeks of dominating the healthcare headlines, Rep. Paul Ryan’s (R-Wis.) Medicare proposal has taken a backseat to heightened criticism of the Affordable Care Act. Republicans are renewing their assault on the law’s Independent Payment Advisory Board, which they say will "ration" care.

The GOP also seized on a report that up to 3 million middle-class families could become eligible for Medicaid because of the reform law.

But with negotiations over the debt ceiling and spending cuts reaching a critical phase, the focus is likely to shift away from the reform law and onto entitlements. Read More