Washington Times (DC)
A Republican chairman on Thursday said talks to shore up
Obamacare markets are "making good progress," suggesting a renewed
quest for bipartisan fixes for the struggling health law after GOP repeal
efforts failed.
Senate Health Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander said he's
already trying to round up votes from fellow Republicans even as he negotiates
final details of the package with Sen. Patty Murray, Washington Democrat.
It's not clear what the appetite for shoring up Obamacare
is among Republicans, including President Trump, who this week signaled another
try at repeal early next year.
For his part, Mr. Alexander, Tennessee Republican, said
Congress needs to put aside broader fights and pass a bill that helps the
nearly 20 million Americans who buy insurance on their own. Many of them will
face higher prices and dwindling choices in 2018, due to problems with
Obamacare itself and Mr. Trump's wavering commitment to it.
"This isn't the 'Patty and Lamar Show.' This is a
chance for us to see if we can find a significant amount of senators on both
sides of the aisle who agree on a limited, bipartisan proposal to keep premiums
down and avoid chaos in the individual market over the next two years, while we
debate which direction we go with health care," he said.
As envisioned, the compromise would fund cost-sharing
payments that reimburse insurers who cover low-income Obamacare customers'
costs — a win for Democrats. Republicans would win more waivers for state
governors to control their markets.
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer said he spoke to
Mr. Alexander and Ms. Murray early Thursday, and '"they both informed me
they are on the verge of an agreement."
It's a stark turnaround from nine days prior, when Mr.
Alexander said the parties couldn't find a path forward. Democrats cried foul
at the time, saying Republicans left the bargaining table to clear the way for
a repeal bill pushed by Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and
Bill Cassidy of Louisiana.
Lacking the votes, GOP leaders decided to yank the bill on
Tuesday. Mr. Alexander and Mrs. Murray promptly resumed talks.
Prospects of an imminent deal enthused Democrats, who say
constituents are being forced to pay higher premiums because insurers are
hedging against the potential loss of cost-sharing payments. Mr. Trump is
paying them now but hasn't made a long-term commitment.
"Our healthcare system needs it, our constituents
need it," Mr. Schumer said. "They don't want premiums to go up and
coverage to go down, and it would be a great start for some bipartisanship in
this place."
The National Governors Association also applauded Mr.
Alexander and Mrs. Murray, saying Congress must snap out of its partisan fights
and "create a healthy future for our country."
Still, it's unclear if any stabilization plan can make it
through the GOP-controlled Congress or win Mr. Trump's signature.
Many conservatives say they have no interest in voting for
insurer funds they view as a "bailout," or propping up a law they
think is hopelessly flawed. Conservatives pressure groups are holding their
feet to the fire, as the GOP eyes another repeal push next year.
"Some lawmakers will reflexively demand a 'bipartisan
market stabilization' in response to Obamacare's deteriorating markets,"
said Heritage Action CEO Michael Needham. "That is unacceptable, and
Heritage Action will oppose efforts to prop up the failing law."
Mr. Trump, meanwhile, has shown little interest in
enforcing or promoting his predecessor's signature domestic achievement.
Beyond threats to cut off cost-sharing payments, he's made
it harder for the IRS to enforce Obamacare's "individual mandate"
requiring people to hold health insurance and slashed outreach funding ahead of
open enrollment this fall.
Democrats say the uncertainty is causing real harm and
will burn Republicans who've professed an affinity for market-oriented health
care.
"What does the private sector care about the most?
Certainty and predictability," said Sen. Ron Wyden, Oregon Democrat.
"For months and months, the president of the United States has been
pouring gasoline on the fires of uncertainty in the private health care
marketplace."
https://insurancenewsnet.com/oarticle/schumer-negotiators-verge-deal-shore-aca
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