With Possible Individual Mandate Victory In Sight, GOP Warms To Plan To Stabilize Marketplace
One of the main goals of the measure is to reverse President Donald Trump's decision to cut off cost-sharing payments to insurers. However, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) says Democrats won't support the bipartisan plan if the individual mandate repeal remains in the tax package.
The Wall Street Journal:
Bipartisan Plan Would Boost Health-Insurance Markets
Republican lawmakers looking to repeal a rule requiring most people to have health insurance said Wednesday they were now more open to a bipartisan plan to bolster the insurance markets, since they would likely face political responsibility for the health-care system. The measure, reversing President Donald Trump’s halting of payments to health insurers, is now more likely to be in a year-end spending package, Republican aides said. Repealing the Affordable Care Act’s so-called individual mandate is expected to raise insurance premiums, health experts say, adding pressure on GOP lawmakers to take offsetting measures. (Armour and Peterson, 11/15)
The Hill:
Key GOP Senator: ObamaCare Payments Likely To Be Included In Funding Bill
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said Wednesday that the Senate will likely include key ObamaCare payments in an end-of-year spending bill. "I think that's likely to happen," Cornyn, the second-ranking Senate Republican, told reporters when asked if the cost-sharing reduction payments would be included in the December funding bill. (Carney, 11/15)
The Hill:
Schumer: Dems Won't Back ObamaCare Deal If It Is Tied To Tax Bill
Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) warned on Wednesday that Democrats won't help pass a bipartisan deal on key ObamaCare payments if Republicans use their tax plan to repeal the individual mandate.
"The Republicans cannot expect to pass their own separate ideological health-care provision and then turn around and ask Democrats to vote to pass Alexander-Murray," Schumer said from the Senate floor, referring to a bill by Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.). (Carney, 11/15)
