Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Murkowski, Who Has Emerged As Key Player In Health Debates, Says Any Fixes Must Be Bipartisan
The Hill: Murkowski: ObamaCare Bill 'Needs To Be Bipartisan'
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said Wednesday that ObamaCare-related legislation "needs to be bipartisan" following the collapse of GOP efforts to repeal the health-care law this week. "You know what, I think it needs to be bipartisan and that's why I'm working with Sen. Alexander and Sen. Murray," Murkowski said when asked whether a Republican-only ObamaCare bill could pass next year. (Sullivan, 9/27)
CQ: Market Stabilization Talks Resume As Insurers Finalize Rates
Republican senators are signaling an openness to stabilizing the individual insurance market in the short term after giving up on a last-ditch effort to replace President Barack Obama’s health care law. The negotiations are restarting just as insurers finalize contracts for the exchanges that will use HealthCare.gov next year on Wednesday. (Clason, 9/27)
The Hill: Problem Solvers Caucus Pushes To Stabilize Insurance Markets
The House Problem Solvers Caucus is urging congressional leaders to consider bipartisan health-care policies aimed at stabilizing the insurance markets. “When we work across the aisle and govern together, Democrats and Republicans alike can find consensus on real solutions for the American people,” the group wrote to Democratic and Republican leaders in both chambers. (Roubein, 9/27)
Meanwhile —
The Hill: GOP Senators Push For Delay Of ObamaCare Insurer Tax
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and 10 Senate Republicans introduced a bill Tuesday to delay an ObamaCare insurer tax before it goes into effect next year. The health insurance tax, a fee on insurance companies to help pay for health care subsidies, is slated to return in 2018 after a one-year hiatus. (Hellmann, 9/27)
