Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Republican Tax Bill Proves Congress Wasn't Done With Health Policy
Politico: Will GOP Finally Take Down Obamacare With A Tax Bill?
After spending nearly a year on a failed effort to repeal Obamacare, Republicans on Capitol Hill are on the verge of repealing the law’s individual mandate as a footnote to their rewrite of the American tax system. At least two of the three Senate Republicans who blocked the repeal effort over the summer have no problem undoing the requirement that nearly all Americans carry insurance — a provision Democrats say is vital to keeping the Affordable Care Act afloat. (Haberkorn, 11/30)
Kaiser Health News: Congress Isn’t Really Done With Health Care — Just Look At What’s In The Tax Bills
Having failed to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, Congress is now working on a tax overhaul. But it turns out the tax bills in the House and Senate also aim to reshape health care. Here are five big ways the tax bill could affect health policy. (12/1)
The New York Times: Without Obamacare Mandate, ‘You Open The Floodgates’ For Skimpy Health Plans
The drive by Senate Republicans to repeal the requirement that most Americans have health insurance is not only likely to discourage people from signing up for coverage during the current enrollment period, but also could result in higher premiums. If repeal is approved, people could opt out of buying policies because they would no longer face a tax penalty and millions could go uninsured. With the Affordable Care Act already weakened by the Trump administration, big drops in enrollment would deal yet another body blow to the law and wreak more havoc in the individual insurance market. (Abelson, 11/30)
CQ: Health Lobby Frets Over Lack of Insurance Mandate Alternative
The health care industry is increasingly concerned that lawmakers could roll back a requirement that most Americans have health insurance coverage without putting a replacement policy in place. Senate Republicans could vote to repeal the requirement that most Americans purchase health insurance or pay a fine under the 2010 health care law as part of a sweeping tax bill as soon as this week. Unlike the health care bills considered by Congress earlier this year, Republicans have not put forward an alternative policy that would incentivize people to buy health insurance coverage. (McIntire, 12/1)
Modern Healthcare: Healthcare Industry Braces For Multiple Hits From Senate Tax Bill
The sprawling tax cut legislation speeding through Congress is likely to result in major changes in healthcare, including significant insurance coverage losses, higher premiums, tighter access to capital, and greater margin pressure for not-for-profit health systems. Senate Republicans are making last-minute changes to their version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act before they expect to pass it on a straight party-line vote Friday. ... Then House Republicans, who passed their own tax bill earlier this month, either will simply pass the Senate bill or negotiate differences between the two bills in conference committee. (Meyer, 11/30)
The Hill: AARP Comes Out Against Senate GOP Tax Bill, Warns Of Medicare Cuts
The AARP said on Thursday that it opposes the Senate GOP tax bill, warning senators it could lead to billions of dollars in Medicare cuts. In a letter to senators, the influential seniors group urged lawmakers to work on a bipartisan version that won’t result in entitlement cuts. (Weixel, 11/30)
The Oregonian: Threat To Medical Deduction In GOP Tax Plan Worries Oregonians
But a Republican-sponsored tax proposal in the U.S. House of Representatives would eliminate the deduction, which is taken by nearly 9 million people, U.S. tax data show. That includes about 165,000 people in Oregon, according to an analysis by the Oregon Center for Public Policy. The Senate version of the bill, up for a vote Friday, would preserve the medical deduction. The provision allows medical bills above 10 percent of income to be deducted in calculating federal taxes. (Terry, 11/30)
