Partisan Bickering Threatens Health Law Talks As Political Ramifications Prowl In The Shadows

Lawmakers are trying to stabilize the health law marketplaces but partisan demands may bring the whole thing down during a politically charged election year. Meanwhile, a liberal group is making the argument that Congress funding the cost-sharing subsidies would actually "do more harm than good."

The Associated Press: Lots Of Talk, Little Action On Curbing Health Care Costs

It started as a bipartisan attempt to curb soaring health care premiums. But Congress' effort to stabilize the nation's insurance markets is faltering amid escalating demands by each party and erratic positions by President Donald Trump. Democrats want bigger federal subsidies for consumers under President Barack Obama's health care law while Republicans, still fighting that statute, aim to relax its coverage requirements and win abortion restrictions. (Fram, 3/12)

The Hill: Liberal Group Warns ObamaCare Funds Would Do 'More Harm Than Good'

A liberal group is warning against funding ObamaCare payments that are at the center of a debate in Congress, marking a shift from Democrats’ earlier position on the payments. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities on Friday published an analysis warning against funding the payments, known as cost-sharing reductions (CSRs), which are the at the center of a bipartisan bill aimed at stabilizing the ObamaCare marketplaces. The bill could be included in a government funding measure this month. (Sullivan, 3/9)

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