Tax Proposals In GOP Repeal Plan Could Be Hard To Swallow For Conservatives
In addition to a credit to help people buy insurance, Republicans have suggested opening up some employer-sponsored health insurance plans to taxation. Both ideas are drawing opposition from the right wing of the party. Meanwhile, the fight over Medicaid looms large in the Senate.
The Hill:
Two Tax Issues Dividing Republicans On ObamaCare
Republican lawmakers are objecting to two key elements of their party's plan to replace ObamaCare, creating obstacles in the road to repeal. Conservatives worry a tax credit to assist people with the cost of insurance, which would help people maintain or get coverage, will be too costly and that recipients might abuse the government help...Objections also are being raised against a proposal to open up some employer-sponsored health insurance plans to taxation. Some Republicans worry that proposal is essentially a new version of ObamaCare’s much-reviled “Cadillac tax." (Sullivan, 2/21)
The Hill:
ObamaCare Fix Hinges On Medicaid Clash In Senate
The most divisive issue for Senate Republicans when it comes to repealing and replacing ObamaCare is what to do with Medicaid. The Affordable Care Act gave states the option of accepting federal funds to expand Medicaid, the healthcare program for the poor and disabled. Millions of people gained health insurance after 31 states — including many with Republican governors — decided to accept the deal. Repealing ObamaCare would end the Medicaid expansion, cutting federal funds to all of those states. (Bolton, 2/22)
Iowa Public Radio:
Loebsack: GOP Plan To Replace ACA "Wholly Inadequate"
Iowa’s only Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives says he still doesn’t know the details of what Republicans will propose as a replacement for the Affordable Care Act. Dave Loebsack is on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which will vote on a replacement before sending it to the full House. (Kieffer, Perkins and Leland, 2/21)
