Cruz has emerged as an influential figure among grassroots conservatives. Were he to make not just repealing Obamacare, but advocating for a specific market-based reforms, a central part of his run for president — mentioning those reforms in ads and in campaign stops — it would change the nature of the healthcare debate as it has existed.

It would go a long way toward convincing conservatives that opposing Obamacare is not enough. And if the man who has perhaps emerged as Obamacare’s most identifiable critic starts talking seriously about alternatives, it would help change how Republicans are perceived on this issue.

For now, a spokesman for the Cruz campaign told me that Cruz is evaluating various alternatives to Obamacare.

If he detailed an alternative vision on healthcare, Cruz would also change the perception of his own candidacy.