(CNN) -- The first day of 2014 was a day to celebrate in our history -- it was the first time that all Americans could buy health insurance regardless of pre-existing medical conditions, thanks to the Affordable Care Act. But despite the good news, criticism of the ACA continues. Some Republicans have eagerly identified individuals who are not happy with the ACA. Sanjay Gupta: Better health not about Obamacare, it's about you As 2014—a midterm election year—dawns, it is time to ask: What does the GOP offer other than negativism? What is the GOP alternative to the ACA, who would it help and who would it hurt?
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Timothy Jost: The first day of 2014 was a day to celebrate in our history
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Jost: Despite promises of Obamacare, Republicans are critical or call for repeal
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He says alternative proposals offered by House Republicans help the rich and healthy
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Jost: As high cost sharing under Obamacare will be discussed, just look at GOP plans
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A targeted repeal of the less popular provisions of the ACA, the individual and employer mandates and some @placeholder taxes and fees, might be more feasible.
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Tax deductions are valuable to high-income Americans with high tax rates, but offer little or nothing to the low-income @placeholder helped by the ACA.
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By repealing the ACA, @placeholder would reinstate pre-existing condition exclusions for many of the uninsured.
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Exclusion of @placeholder from insurance coverage would also likely increase under Republican proposals to permit interstate health insurance sales, which could drive a race to the bottom in state insurance regulation.
Americans
One cannot imagine a GOP health care proposal that did not promise to place more barriers in the way of @placeholder injured by medical negligence who seek compensation.
Americans
The vast majority of privately insured @placeholder are covered through their work.