Ryan Promises GOP Will Work On Repeal, Replace ‘Concurrently’ As Anxiety Continues To Mount
Some within the Republicans' own party have been wary about moving so quickly on repeal without a plan to replace the health law.
The Associated Press:
Ryan: GOP Will Work On Repealing, Replacing Health Law
Republicans will work on unraveling and replacing the health care law at the same time, House Speaker Paul Ryan said Tuesday as GOP leaders struggled to align their zeal to rapidly erase one of President Barack Obama's proudest achievements with Congress' legislative and political pitfalls. (1/10)
The Hill:
Ryan: GOP's Goal Is To Replace, Repeal ObamaCare 'Concurrently'
“It is our goal to bring it all together concurrently,” Ryan told reporters after meeting with House Republicans behind closed doors.
“We’re going to use every tool at our disposal through legislation, through regulation, to bring replace concurrent along with repeal, so that we can save people from this mess.” (Wong and Sullivan, 1/10)
Roll Call:
Ryan Says Obamacare Repeal, Replacement Will Happen ‘Concurrently’
A growing number of lawmakers are uncomfortable with delaying a replacement plan further after a repeal vote. The interest in moving quickly on both fronts comes from a range of members, including moderates in The Tuesday Group and conservatives in the House Freedom Caucus. (McPherson, 1/10)
CQ Roll Call:
GOP Leaders Vow To Replace Health Care Law Along With Repeal
Ryan, R-Wis., said he doesn’t know how many replacement provisions will be in the repeal bill, which has yet to be written and would be passed through the fast-track budget reconciliation process.
"That's a question that really is more of a Senate question, as to what you can put in reconciliation, what you cannot put in reconciliation,” he said. But he added: “We will pass as much as we can through whatever vehicle we've got. And then we will pass all the other things through regular order outside reconciliation that show you the full scope of what a real replacement effort looks like." (Krawzak and McCrimmon, 1/10)
CQ Roll Call:
Alexander Outlines His Health Care 'Rescue Plan'
Republicans should take steps by March 1 to start work on relaxing health care overhaul rules requiring insurers to offer broad benefits, the chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee said Tuesday. Alexander (CQ Roll Call)Tennessee Republican Lamar Alexander, who oversees one of the four committees that will lead the effort to repeal and replace the health care law (PL 111-148, PL 111-152), described what he called a “rescue plan” in a floor speech. Republican leaders, including Vice President-elect Mike Pence, have said the incoming Trump administration would pursue executive action to make some changes to Obamacare. (Siddons, 1/10)
Morning Consult:
No. 4 House Republican: ‘No One’ Will Lose Coverage Over Obamacare Repeal
House Republican Conference Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers made a big pledge Tuesday on the GOP’s health care repeal plan, one that top congressional Republicans have so far shied from. “Let me be clear,” the Washington Republican told reporters after a House GOP conference meeting where lawmakers discussed how it would repeal President Barack Obama’s signature health care law. “No one who has coverage because of Obamacare today will lose that coverage. We’re providing relief. We aren’t going to pull the rug out from anyone.” The promise is reminiscent of a variety of vows made dozens of times by Obama and administration officials, both before and after the president signed the Affordable Care Act into law in 2010: “If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor,” and, “If you like your health care plan, you can keep your health care plan.” (Yokley, 1/10)
Morning Consult:
House Panel Launches Online Portal for Health Reform Info
The House Energy and Commerce Committee wants to be a go-to reference for all things related to the Obamacare repeal-and-replacement process, and its launching an online portal Wednesday meant to serve as “health care central” for inquiring minds. ... The online portal — which committee aides say is the only one to be put forth from any of the relevant committees — will compile fact sheets, infographics, blog posts and videos for a one-stop shop about the health law and the process to repeal and replace it. The items being released today focus on what Republicans say are problems with Obamacare and the reasons it needs to be repealed. (McIntire, 1/10)
Politico:
How The GOP Plans To Repeal Obamacare
The Republican Party’s quest to kill Obamacare is about to get real. Here’s a step-by-step guide to how it will go down in the coming days and weeks — assuming they don’t manage to mess it up or get cold feet. (Weyl, 1/11)