Democrats winning on health care post-shutdown, some analysts say

Democrats emerged from the shutdown empty-handed on a health care subsidy extension, but the party is well-positioned for messaging ahead of next year’s midterms, according to analysts and early polling data.

Putting the focus squarely on health care could force Republicans into a binary choice — either they reach a compromise that achieves some Democratic goals or the GOP majority is unable to put forth anything on rising heath care costs. Though it’s early for such predictions, either could boost Democrats next November.

For one thing, the various Republican plans under development might not have happened if Democrats hadn’t dug in their heels, said Grant Reeher, a political science professor at Syracuse University.

“It did focus the attention in a way that obviously has sustained its