GOP Lawmakers Face Pushback On Obamacare Repeal Efforts
The Senate parliamentarian suggests that parts of the health law cannot be undone through the obscure procedure known as "reconciliation" because they don't affect the federal budget. Meanwhile, a study by the nation's actuaries questions the impact of Republican plans to quell market turmoil should the high court strike down the health law's insurance subsidies in about three dozen states.
Politico:
GOP Hits Another Roadblock On Obamacare Repeal
Repealing the law “root and branch” is probably out of the question, the chamber’s parliamentarian is hinting, because some parts of Obamacare don’t affect the federal budget. That’s a must in order to use the obscure procedure known in Senate parlance as reconciliation, which allows lawmakers to avoid the 60-vote filibuster hurdle and pass bills on a simple majority vote. That’s not the GOP’s only problem. Under those rules any Obamacare repeal has to reduce — not increase — the deficit. So Republicans will have to pick and choose which parts of the Affordable Care Act they most want to ditch. (Bade and Haberkorn, 6/1)
The Fiscal Times:
New Study Pours Cold Water On GOP Obamacare Plan
Republicans have spent months cobbling together a handful of plans to quell the fallout of a potential Supreme Court ruling that would strike down federal subsidies to millions of Obamacare enrollees living in the 34 states that rely on HealthCare.gov. However, a new report says by eliminating the very foundation upon which Obamacare was built -- the individual and employer mandates -- two of the GOP contingency plans will wreak havoc with the insurance industry that undergirds all health plans, private and public. (Ehley, 5/29)
And consumer advocates raise concerns about another bill on Capitol Hill -
The Wall Street Journal's Pharmalot:
Will The 21st Century Cures Bill Lower Standards For Some Drug Approvals?
Would a new Congressional bill designed to jumpstart medical innovation lower standards for approving new uses of existing medicines? Consumer advocates are raising this concern about the 21st Century Cures legislation, which passed the House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously last week and, in part, is designed to reform the approval process for drugs. Supporters say the bill is a long overdue move that, among other things, will give the FDA the tools to ensure treatments reach patients faster. (Silverman, 5/29)
