Anthem CEO Lobbies Trump And Price For Changes In Health Bill
Anthem CEO Joseph Swedish is seeking a continuation of cost-sharing subsidies and "appropriate" funding for Medicaid in Republican legislation to replace the federal health law. At the same time, several high-profile groups representing doctors and hospitals are gearing up to fight the GOP proposal.
Bloomberg:
Anthem Sought Changes To Obamacare Replacement In Trump Meeting
Health insurer Anthem Inc. sought changes to the Republican replacement plan for the Affordable Care Act when its chief executive officer talked with President Donald Trump on Tuesday. Anthem CEO Joseph Swedish talked with Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price about elements of the GOP plan that he’d like to see “enhanced,” such as making sure that cost-sharing subsidies continue, and that “Medicaid is appropriately funded,” the company’s finance chief, John Gallina, told investors at a conference on Wednesday. Swedish also discussed “some of the things in the bill that we want to ensure stay in the bill, such as the elimination of the taxes,” Gallina said. (Tracer and Olorunnipa, 3/15)
CQ Roll Call:
Medical Groups Ramp Up Lobbying Against GOP Health Care Bill
Major hospital and physicians' groups are actively lobbying against the House bill to replace the 2010 health care law ahead of a crucial committee vote on Thursday. Among those mobilizing against the legislation are the American Hospital Association and the American Medical Association, two of the most influential lobbying groups in Washington. The two spent a combined $37 million on lobbying in fiscal 2016. (Williams, 3/15)