What to watch for as Republicans convene this week

Can President Donald Trump claim victory over the virus?

Democrats have made Trump’s handling of the coronavirus a central part of their appeal to voters, claiming the president was slow to force companies to manufacture medical supplies, ignored experts, failed to develop a coordinated national testing regime, and set a poor example of mask wearing and social distancing. Case numbers nationally have declined from their peak in mid-July, but the fall brings new concerns. Trump’s rebuttal of Democrats’ claims will be key to his reelection pitch as the pandemic wears on.

How does Trump address concerns about protections for people with preexisting conditons?

As his administration pursues a lawsuit that could invalidate the Affordable Care Act, Trump seems aware that the ACA's popular protections on preexisting conditions are a vulnerability. He's teased a potential executive order, but he may just repeat a promise he made during the State of the Union to protect patients.

What does Trumpcare look like?

Throughout his presidency, Trump has repeatedly promised to propose a “phenomenal” and “fantastic” plan to replace the ACA. “We’re signing a healthcare plan within two weeks, a full and complete healthcare plan,” Trump told Fox News Sunday anchor Chris Wallace during a July 19 interview. At deadline, no such plan had come out. So beyond preexisting conditions, industry leaders and voters will be waiting to see if further details emerge.