Health Industry Growing Increasingly Alarmed That Tax Bill Is ‘Leaving Too Many Patients Behind’
Apart from repealing the individual mandate, the Republicans' tax package may force tens of millions of dollars in cuts to the Medicare program and open a $1.5-trillion hole in the federal deficit that could put pressure on government health care programs such as Medicaid. Meanwhile, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) reiterates her confidence that GOP leadership will keep the promise to shore up the Affordable Care Act exchanges in return for her "yes" vote on the tax legislation.
Los Angeles Times:
Republican Tax Bill Fuels Anxiety Across The Nation's Healthcare System
Doctors, hospitals, patient advocates and others who work in the nation's healthcare system are growing increasingly alarmed at the Republican tax bill, warning that it threatens care for millions of sick Americans. The legislation – which GOP leaders are rushing to pass this week – will eliminate beginning in 2019 the Affordable Care Act penalty on consumers without health coverage, a move many experts warn will weaken insurance markets in parts of the country. (Levey, 12/18)
Modern Healthcare:
Final GOP Tax Cut Bill Has Big Loss And Smaller Wins For Healthcare Stakeholders
As part of their tax cut bill, House and Senate Republicans have agreed to preserve tax-exempt, municipal private-activity bonds as a way for hospitals and other not-for-profit organizations to raise capital for construction projects. (Meyer, 12/15)
Kaiser Health News:
No Sweeteners Added To Tax Bill To Spread Use Of Health Savings Accounts
The ongoing uncertainty about congressional changes to the health law — and their impact on insurance and the online marketplaces — continues to raise questions among consumers. Here are answers to recent queries. (Andrews, 12/19)
The Wall Street Journal:
GOP Gets A Key ‘Yes’ Vote For Its Tax Bill
Republican leaders planning to put their tax package to a vote in coming days got a boost late Monday when Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, who had yet to commit to backing the proposal, said she would be a ”yes.” ... Ms. Collins said she was encouraged that the House and Senate negotiators had retained several provisions she had pushed to get into the Senate bill, including retaining a deduction for medical expenses that the House bill had originally scrapped. The final tax bill allows people to deduct medical expenses above 7.5% of their income for 2017 and 2018, down from 10% under current law. Ms. Collins reiterated her confidence, which has come under question recently, that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) and President Donald Trump would honor an agreement they made with her on two bills addressing cost-sharing payments to insurers and high-cost claims. (Hughes and Rubin, 12/18)
The Hill:
GOP Senator Says Must-Pass Funding Bill To Include ObamaCare Fix
Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) says that his bipartisan ObamaCare insurer fix will be added to a government funding bill this week, potentially setting up a showdown with House conservatives who oppose the measure. Alexander told local reporters on Friday that the bill aimed at stabilizing insurer markets — from him and Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) — would be added to a stop-gap government funding bill that must pass before this Friday's funding deadline, according to a pledge from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). (Sullivan, 12/18)
CQ:
McConnell Lays Out Senate Stopgap Priorities
McConnell, R-Ky., also said he wants to include a waiver from provisions of the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 (PL 111-139), which if left unchecked would cut as much as $90 billion from a wide range of mandatory benefit programs, including $25 billion from Medicare. Those cuts would otherwise start in January as a result of the $1.5 trillion, 10-year deficit increase in the comprehensive tax bill (HR 1). The "paygo" waiver, as well as the health insurance market stabilization measures,were part of the price extracted for Sen. Susan Collins' backing for the tax bill. The Maine Republican wants to see inclusion of a draft bill by Sens. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., and Patty Murray, D-Wash., that would, among other things, provide funding for the law’s controversial cost-sharing reduction payments, and another from Collins and Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., to provide funding for states to set up high risk pools or reinsurance programs. (Shutt, 12/18)
