Insurer Subsidies Likely To Be In Spending Bill, Collins Vows
The Trump administration earlier in the year stopped payment on the cost-sharing subsidies that are designed to help offset insurers’ costs for reducing out-of-pocket costs such as deductibles and co-pays for lower-income individuals. Meanwhile, House Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) says that Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) never made a promise either way on the subsidies.
The Hill:
Collins Confident Health Subsidies Will Be In Spending Bill
Funding for key ObamaCare insurer subsidies is likely to be included in the upcoming government funding bill, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said Wednesday. Collins said she had received reassurances Tuesday from Vice President Pence that the subsidies, opposed by House conservatives, would be in the funding bill. (Weixel, 12/13)
Roll Call:
Those That Shall Not Be Named: Cost Sharing Reductions
In Congress, where most lawmakers are hesitant to spill secrets about ongoing negotiations, answers are often found in what lawmakers are not saying. And House Republican leaders are not saying much about subsidies for health care insurers lately. GOP leaders’ continued refusal in recent weeks to rule out funding the cost-sharing reduction subsidies, or CSRs, which President Donald Trump’s administration has stopped paying, is not a guarantee that Congress will do so. But it’s certainly a green light for negotiations to continue. (McPherson, 12/14)
Politico Pro:
Freedom Caucus Chairman Says Ryan Never Vowed To Block Obamacare Stabilization
House Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows said on Wednesday morning that GOP leaders never vowed to keep funding for key Obamacare insurance subsidies out of a year-end spending agreement. That contradicts claims made last week by the head of another group of conservative House members, Republican Study Chairman Mark Walker, who said that Speaker Paul Ryan had promised not to restore the cost-sharing payments that President Donald Trump halted earlier in October. (Cancryn, 12/13)
In other news —
Politico Pro:
House Panel Includes CHIP Funding In Spending Bill — But With Partisan Pay-Fors
House appropriators tonight introduced a bill to fund the government through Jan. 19 that includes funding for the CHIP program and community health centers. The bill includes the CHIP language approved by the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the full House to fund the children's health program for five years and the health centers for two. (Haberkorn, 12/13)
The Hill:
Alabama Result Deals Heavy Blow To ObamaCare Repeal
The surprise election of a Democrat in Alabama has dealt a major blow to Republican hopes of reviving ObamaCare repeal next year. Republicans already failed multiple times this year to pass an ObamaCare replacement through the Senate with a 52-48 majority. Next year, thanks to the election of Democrat Doug Jones in Alabama, their margin for error will be even slimmer, at 51-49. (Sullivan, 12/14)
