GOP Eyes Sen. Warren As Key Vote On Medical Device Tax Repeal
Meanwhile, in advance of congressional action on Medicare physician payment, skilled nursing facilities go on offense with a campaign to avoid cuts and more detail on the Capitol Hill effort to limit transfers between Social Security and disability funds.
The Hill:
GOP Courts Warren To Repeal Medical Device Tax
Republicans are looking to an unlikely ally in their bid to repeal a controversial piece of ObamaCare: Sen. Elizabeth Warren. The Massachusetts Democrat, who has emerged as a liberal hero, has shown support for efforts led by the GOP and business groups to scrap Obamacare's medical device tax, a 2.3 percent levy on medical devices and supplies projected to raise almost $30 billion over the next decade. (Cirilli, 1/10)
The Wall Street Journal:
GOP Hopefuls’ 2016 Theme Has A New Pitch
A group of conservative scholars, under the banner of the YG Network, a group affiliated with GOP leaders in the House, published a collection of essays last year to address middle-class concerns, from K-12 education to lower-cost health care. “One of the weaknesses Republicans have had during the Obama years is that they have struggled at times to talk to the middle class, particularly how they can boost low-wage workers,” said Yuval Levin, a fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, a conservative think tank, who outlined a new vision for government in the essays’ introduction. (O'Connor, 1/11)
The Hill:
Skilled Nursing Launches Campaign To Influence 'Doc Fix'
Skilled nursing facilities are launching a new campaign to avoid cuts and offer policy proposals ahead of Congress's debate over the next fix for Medicare doctor payments. The American Health Care Association (AHCA), which represents nursing homes, assisted living facilities and other subacute care providers, is blanketing Washington in multimedia advertisements starting Monday to shore up its position ahead of deliberations. (Viebeck, 1/12)
Kaiser Health News:
Congress Seeks To Limit Transfers Between Social Security And Disability Funds
A sweeping rules package the House approved at the start of the 114th Congress includes a provision that has set off a war of words about the future of Social Security and benefits for disabled workers. The measure would stop House lawmakers from transferring money from Social Security’s Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund to the program’s Disability Insurance Trust Fund unless lawmakers took steps to “improve the actuarial balance” of both funds. (Carey, 1/12)
