Health Care Issues Being Used As Bargaining Chips For Both Sides As Congress Tries To Avoid Shutdown
A six-year extension of funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program has been included in a short-term funding bill to try to woo the Democrats, while a delay of certain Affordable Care Act taxes was included to sway Republicans. But Thursday morning, President Donald Trump tweeted that he doesn't think CHIP should be part of short-term solution. House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) says he's confident he'll have the votes to pass the stopgap legislation by the time it gets to the floor. Media outlets offer a look at what else lawmakers are pushing to have included, and give perspective on what would happen to the industry if the government shuts down.
The Wall Street Journal:
Republicans Bet Health-Care Funds Shuffle Will Help Get Spending Bill Passed
Republicans are hoping to land support for a short-term spending bill by agreeing to delay some Affordable Care Act taxes and renewing funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program, a gamble that shows the continuing resonance of health-care issues in the national debate. House GOP leaders, seeking to soften Democratic opposition to the spending bill, have included six years of renewed funding for CHIP, which Democrats urgently want. At the same time, they have inserted a repeal of ACA taxes on medical devices, generous employer plans, and health insurance, likely to appeal to conservatives. (Armour, 1/17)
Modern Healthcare:
House Delays ACA Taxes, Funds CHIP In Short-Term Spending Bill
The House will vote on a fourth short-term budget patch Thursday that includes a six-year funding extension of the Children's Health Insurance Program and delays of the Affordable Care Act's health industry taxes. Congress must pass the continuing budget resolution by Friday to avert a government shutdown. The expired Medicare programs that rural hospitals especially rely on, as well as a delay for the disproportionate-share hospital cuts that went into effect Oct. 1, will wait until a big spending omnibus, GOP lawmakers said Wednesday after their briefing with leadership. (Luthi, 1/16)
The Hill:
Trump Tweets CHIP Should Not Be In Short-Term Funding Bill
President Trump on Thursday appeared to break with GOP congressional leaders on the morning of a key vote in the House, saying he did not want children's health insurance funded in the short-term funding bill now being considered. "CHIP should be part of a long term solution, not a 30 Day, or short term, extension!" Trump tweeted, referring to the Children's Health Insurance Program. (Sullivan, 1/18)
Politico:
Republicans Lack Votes To Prevent A Shutdown
House Republicans are short of the votes they need to avoid a government shutdown, but Speaker Paul Ryan and GOP leaders remain confident they will pass a stopgap funding measure when it comes to the floor on Thursday. President Donald Trump is personally leaning on GOP lawmakers to fall into line, especially hard-line conservatives who are opposed to virtually anything Ryan and his leadership team propose. (Bresnahan, Ferris and Caygle, 1/17)
The Hill:
Senate Dems Push For Health Center Funding In Spending Bill
Senate Democrats are pushing for additional health-care measures like funding for community health centers to be included in a short-term funding bill this week ahead of a impending government shutdown. Sen. Ron Wyden (Ore.), the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, said at a press conference with Democratic leaders on Wednesday that he wanted the community health center funding added, as well as an extension of programs for home visits from nurses and for rural healthcare. (Sullivan, 1/17)
The Hill:
Lawmakers Weigh Measure To Fight High Drug Prices
Lawmakers are considering adding a measure aimed at fighting high drug prices to an upcoming spending deal, in what would be a rare defeat for the powerful pharmaceutical industry. The measure, known as the Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples Act, is intended to prevent branded drug companies from using tactics to delay competition from cheaper generic drugs. It is co-sponsored by a set of unusual bedfellows in both parties. (Sullivan, 1/17)
The Hill:
Opponents Urge Congress To Suspend ObamaCare Tax This Year
Opponents of a tax on health insurance are urging lawmakers to suspend the ObamaCare tax starting this year after House Republican leadership unveiled a stopgap spending measure that included a one-year delay only for 2019. GOP leaders unveiled the measure late Tuesday as part of their plan to avoid a government shutdown. It included a six-year reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) as well as a two-year delay of a tax on high-cost insurance plans knows as the Cadillac tax and a medical device tax in an effort to get their members on board with another short-term spending bill. (Roubein, 1/17)
The Hill:
Kimmel Spars With Ryan Staffer Over CHIP
Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel sparred with a spokesman for Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) on Wednesday over legislation to fund a children's health program. Doug Andres, the press secretary for Ryan, included Kimmel on his retweet of a health-care reporter who said it would be "interesting" to see how many Democrats will vote against a short-term spending bill that could include a six-year extension for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), a longtime Democratic objective. (Delk, 1/17)
Stat:
How A Government Shutdown Could Affect Drug Safety, Flu Response, And More
Unless Republicans coalesce this week around a short-term spending deal, the federal government will shut down — a scenario that will likely have widespread and long-lasting consequences for public health. The Food and Drug Administration would likely have to forego updating mislabeled medications or conducting routine food safety inspections. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would furlough key staff amid one of the most severe flu seasons in recent memory. And the National Institutes of Health might have to stop enrolling hundreds of patients in clinical trials. (Mershon and Swetlitz, 1/17)
