House GOP Lawmakers Contemplate Efforts To Stabilize Obamacare Insurance Markets

Reports indicate that Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) and Rep. Tom Arthur (R-N.J.) are considering legislation to fund payments to insurers known as cost-sharing subsidies in exchange for increased state flexibility in waiving health law coverage requirements. However, Democrats have a different view. They see must-pass legislation -- such as critical spending fights on tap for September -- as giving them leverage to secure those subsidies.

The Hill: Conservative Chairman In Talks About ObamaCare Stabilization Deal

Reps. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) and Tom MacArthur (R-N.J.) are in talks for a bill that would stabilize ObamaCare markets. The measure would fund key ObamaCare payments known as cost-sharing reductions, possibly in exchange for expanded flexibility favored by conservatives for states to waive ObamaCare regulations through broadening an existing provision known as 1332 waivers. (Sullivan, 8/11)

The Hill: Democrats See ObamaCare Leverage In Spending Fights

House Democrats want to use the looming battle over government spending and raising the debt limit as leverage to shore up ObamaCare. The minority party believes Republicans will need their votes on the critical fiscal issues, and they think they can secure concessions on healthcare. (Lillis, 8/13)

Meanwhile, the House Freedom Caucus is signaling its hope to bring up another Obamacare repeal vote -

The Washington Post: House Conservatives Hope To Revive Obamacare Repeal Vote

Members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus want to seize control of the health-care debate by petitioning Republicans to hold a vote on a version of a repeal bill that passed the House in 2015. Conservatives say they believe a repeal measure can pass without a replacement, despite warnings from Ryan and other leaders that the votes aren’t there. The long-shot effort gained momentum last week with support from influential outside groups. (Snell, 8/13)

The Associated Press: Freedom Caucus Conservatives Begin Uphill Fight For Fresh Health Care Repeal Vote

Hard-line conservatives began an uphill fight Friday to force a fresh House vote this fall on erasing much of President Barack Obama's health care law without an immediate replacement, the latest instance of Republican rifts in what's been a fractious week for the GOP. The effort by the House Freedom Caucus seemed to have no chance of passing Congress. (Fram, 8/11)

This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.

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