Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
With Possible Individual Mandate Victory In Sight, GOP Warms To Plan To Stabilize Marketplace
The Wall Street Journal: Bipartisan Plan Would Boost Health-Insurance Markets
Republican lawmakers looking to repeal a rule requiring most people to have health insurance said Wednesday they were now more open to a bipartisan plan to bolster the insurance markets, since they would likely face political responsibility for the health-care system. The measure, reversing President Donald Trump’s halting of payments to health insurers, is now more likely to be in a year-end spending package, Republican aides said. Repealing the Affordable Care Act’s so-called individual mandate is expected to raise insurance premiums, health experts say, adding pressure on GOP lawmakers to take offsetting measures. (Armour and Peterson, 11/15)
The Hill: Key GOP Senator: ObamaCare Payments Likely To Be Included In Funding Bill
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said Wednesday that the Senate will likely include key ObamaCare payments in an end-of-year spending bill. "I think that's likely to happen," Cornyn, the second-ranking Senate Republican, told reporters when asked if the cost-sharing reduction payments would be included in the December funding bill. (Carney, 11/15)
The Hill: Schumer: Dems Won't Back ObamaCare Deal If It Is Tied To Tax Bill
Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) warned on Wednesday that Democrats won't help pass a bipartisan deal on key ObamaCare payments if Republicans use their tax plan to repeal the individual mandate. "The Republicans cannot expect to pass their own separate ideological health-care provision and then turn around and ask Democrats to vote to pass Alexander-Murray," Schumer said from the Senate floor, referring to a bill by Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.). (Carney, 11/15)
