GOP Senators Want To Give Governors Power To Waive Health Law Restrictions Under New Bill
Legislation from Senate Finance Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Sen. Michael Crapo (R-Idaho) shows Senate Republicans are continuing to pursue ways to modify the current health care law after failing earlier this year to repeal large portions of it.
Roll Call:
Governors’ Obamacare Waiver Power Would Broaden Under GOP Proposal
Legislation from two Republican senators would allow governors to implement a waiver under the 2010 health care law without approval from state legislatures, a departure from current law, according to a discussion draft obtained by Roll Call. The bill from Senate Finance Chairman Orrin G. Hatch and Idaho Sen. Michael D. Crapo would end the requirement for states to pass legislation to implement a so-called 1332 waiver. It would also let governors unilaterally end the program and would mandate that the Department of Health and Human Services secretary make a determination on a waiver application within 100 days. (Williams, 11/8)
In other health law news —
The Baltimore Sun:
Enrollments In The Maryland Health Exchange Up In First Week
Enrollments in Maryland’s health exchange are well ahead of last year in the first week of the sign-up period, exchange officials said. Those buying policies for the first time are up 15 percent to about 4,020. And total enrollments, which includes new and returning consumers, are double the number at this time last year, at 10,420. (Cohn, 11/8)
