Bipartisan Efforts To Stabilize Marketplace Halted As Graham-Cassidy Gains Traction
Senate HELP Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) says there's not a path forward for the bipartisan work in a clear sign that Republicans are optimistic about the prospects of the Graham-Cassidy bill. Democrats call the move a political strategy to bolster the replacement bill.
The Hill:
GOP Chairman Declares Bipartisan ObamaCare Fix Dead
The Senate Health Committee chairman on Tuesday released a statement ending a bipartisan effort to find an ObamaCare fix amid a new GOP push to repeal the law. "During the last month, we have worked hard and in good faith, but have not found the necessary consensus among Republicans and Democrats to put a bill in the Senate leaders’ hands that could be enacted," Senate Health Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) said in the statement. (Sullivan, 9/19)
Bloomberg:
Key Republican Says No Deal On Bipartisan Obamacare Fix Bill
Alexander had been working with Democratic Senator Patty Murray of Washington on a package of fixes, such as making payments to health insurers to help poorer people afford to use their coverage, and giving states flexibility in how they run the Affordable Care Act. (Edney, 9/19)
Politico:
Ryan, White House Reject Bipartisan Health Fix
House Speaker Paul Ryan and the White House have informed Senate Republican leaders that they oppose a bipartisan plan to stabilize Obamacare being written in the Senate, according to Trump administration and congressional sources, in a clear bid to boost the Senate's prospects of repealing the health law. (Everett, Dawsey and Bade, 9/19)
Nashville Tennessean:
Obamacare: Sen. Lamar Alexander Ends Push For Bipartisan, Short-Term Fix
Murray, the committee’s top Democrat, said the negotiations with Alexander had taken place in “good faith.” “We identified significant common ground, and I made some tough concessions to move in Chairman Alexander’s direction when it comes to giving states more flexibility,” she said. “I am disappointed that Republican leaders have decided to freeze this bipartisan approach and are trying to jam through a partisan Trumpcare bill. But I am confident that we can reach a deal if we keep working together — and I am committed to getting that done.” (Collins and Fletcher, 9/19)
CQ:
Alexander Says No Path Forward On Bipartisan Health Deal
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer of New York said the impasse was due to political strategy. "This is not about substance," said Schumer spokesman Matt House. "We gave them many of the things they asked for, including copper plans and wide waiver authority. The Republican leadership is so eager to pass Graham-Cassidy that they’re scuttling a balanced, bipartisan negotiation.” (McIntire, 9/19)).
Roll Call:
Bipartisan Health Care Talks Shut Down Amid Rush To Repeal
The announcement by Alexander, who chairs the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, was the clearest signal yet that the GOP conference is charging forward with the Graham-Cassidy measure to dramatically reshape the U.S. health care system. (Dick, 9/19)
Other heath care efforts are feeling the strain as well —
CQ:
Children's Health Program Progress Threatened By Repeal Plan
Senate Finance members are eager to move a new bill that would renew funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program, but Democrats worry that the reconciliation time crunch for Graham-Cassidy could cause further delays .“Unfortunately, just when this committee ought to be celebrating a big victory for the millions of kids who count on CHIP, the Cassidy-Graham-Heller proposal threatens the health care of millions of children and families,” said Senate Finance ranking member Ron Wyden of Oregon at a hearing on business tax issues on Tuesday. (Raman, 9/19)
