What's next at the national level with health care reform?

The Colorado Health Policy Coalition shared these thoughts earlier today:

"Two quick updates to round out this busy week on the health care front:

(1) Earlier today Congress passed a one-week funding bill to avoid a government shut-down. This relates to our coalition because agreement on the temporary funding extension was reached, in part, because the White House announced on Wednesday afternoon that Cost Sharing Reduction payments would continue. However, that announcement was short on details, specifically regarding how long the administration would continue the payments. As such, Molina Healthcare warned lawmakers on Thursday that they need assurance that CSR payments will continue and so want to see them included in the long-term spending bill Congress is expected to debate next week.

(2) House Leadership failed to garner the support necessary to bring the American Health Care Act to the floor for a vote this week, as they had hoped to do. The bill still may be considered next week, if moderate Republicans embrace changes to the bill offered through the MacArthur Amendment, which was detailed in our email to you on Wednesday. However, many of those moderates, including Colorado Congressman Mike Coffman, continue to express questions and concerns."

On Wednesday of this week the Coalition shared these thoughts:

"Late yesterday, House Republicans began circulating text of a proposed amendment to the American Health Care Act (AHCA), their health care “repeal and replace” proposal which was pulled from consideration in late March due to lack of support. The Amendment, text of which is attached, is focused exclusively on insurance market provisions of the AHCA and is designed to provide additional flexibility to states.

Specifically, the amendment would:

·      Reinstate Essential Health Benefits as the federal standard for coverage

·      Maintain many of the consumer protection provisions of the Affordable Care Act and the American Health Care Act, including guarantee issue, dependent coverage to age 26, prohibition of denial of coverage based on preexisting conditions and others.

·      Provide a limited and expedited state waiver option to allow for (a) “skinnier” plans to be sold that do not include all of the Essential Health Benefits; and (b) exemption from most of the Community Rating Rules. The waivers would be approved by default, unless specifically rejected by the Secretary of Health and Human Services within 60 days of submission.

Analysis of the amendment is available at the Health Affairs Blog.

The Amendment is being offered by moderate Republican Congressman Tom MacArthur of New Jersey and is supported by President Trump’s administration; however, it is not yet clear if this amendment is sufficient to garner necessary support for passage of the AHCA in the House. The House Republican caucus is meeting this morning to discuss it. There is not yet any timeline for formally debating the amendment. 

Here are some key articles about the latest developments and the political prospects for support of this proposal:

·      House GOP moves to revive failed Obamacare repeal, Politico, 4.26.17

·      House GOP circulates new changes to health bill, The Hill, 4.25.17

·      Moderates chafe at Republican healthcare compromise, Politico, 4.26.17

Meanwhile, discussion about the future of Cost Sharing Reduction (CSR) payments and implications for passing a government funding bill (the topic of our email update to you last Friday) continue. Here is the latest on that subject: Mulvaney and Pelosi feud over Obamacare funds, Politico, 4.26.17."

We don't know what will happen next so I encourage you to continue to engage via the Protect our Care Colorado Campaign!