Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Congress Continues To Wrestle With Budget Bill, ACA Funding Provisions In Play
The Associated Press: Possible Tax Deal Would Give Big Wins To Both Parties
The White House, against the will of some congressional Democrats, was resisting Republican attempts to pare taxes on medical devices and costly health insurance policies, which were enacted under Obama's 2010 health care law to help pay for that overhaul. "We're always willing to engage in conversations about ways to strengthen the ACA that don't harm health care access, affordability, quality or the middle class," said White House spokeswoman Katie Hill, using the acronym for Obama's Affordable Care Act. (Fram, 12/10)
Politico: Ryan, Pelosi In Staredown Over Budget
The House on Friday will vote on a short-term funding measure to keep the government open until Dec. 16, and additional continuing resolutions are possible. With both sides confident that time is on their side, there is no pressure for a quick agreement; for Speaker Paul Ryan and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, a good deal is more important than a quick deal. Politically, Ryan can afford to continue passing short-term funding bills to keep the government open while he tries to reach an agreement. (Bresnahan, Sherman and French, 12/9)
Modern Healthcare: Congressional Budget Deal May Hamstring ACA Funding
Congress is targeting funding sources for the Affordable Care Act as it works to reach a budget agreement before the end of the year. Republicans want the omnibus budget package to extend funding restraints that insurance companies and failing co-op insurers say are forcing them out of the ACA's insurance exchanges. (Muchmore, 12/9)
The Hill: Dem Fault Lines Emerge On ‘Cadillac Tax’ Delay
Prominent ObamaCare supporters are lashing out against a plan backed by other Democrats to delay the contentious “Cadillac tax” for two years, warning that the delay would blow a hole in the healthcare law. A two-year suspension of the 40 percent tax on high-cost health insurance plans is expected to appear in a year-end package of tax breaks known as “tax extenders,” though negotiations aren’t yet complete. (Sullivan, 12/10)
The Hill: White House Would 'Strongly Oppose' Cadillac Tax Repeal
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Wednesday that the Obama administration would “strongly oppose” any efforts to repeal ObamaCare’s so-called Cadillac tax, but stopped short of a full veto threat. While Earnest said he would not comment on ongoing negotiations, he delivered his strongest criticism yet of efforts to repeal — or at least pause — the Cadillac tax as part of the year-end tax extenders package. (Ferris, 12/9)
