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

The Colorado Health Institute has begun dissecting the latest version of the Better Care Reconciliation Act: "We have updated our matrix of how the bill compares to the House version and the Affordable Care Act. Check it out here. And we have a blog about the highlights for Colorado. Although large Medicaid cuts seem likely to occur under the new bill, we are investigating whether it could limit Medicaid cuts to Colorado compared with earlier versions of the bill." 

From the Colorado Health Policy Coalition this morning:

"The wild ride on health care continues…As expected, this morning Senate Republican leadership unveiled a new version of their health care proposal. It is largely the same as the version that was circulated before the 4^th of July recess. Significant changes include:

·      A new provision allowing insurers to offer some health plans that do not meet the essential health benefit package required by the Affordable Care Act, so long as they also offer at least one plan that meets the EHB standard.

·      $70 billion of additional money for the state stability fund to support high risk pools and other strategies to help people with health care conditions access coverage.

·      $45 billion of additional money for the opioid crisis – a significant increase from the $2 billion included in the earlier Senate bill.

·      Retaining some of the Affordable Care Act taxes. The previous Senate bill eliminated ACA taxes.

·      Medicaid policy is largely the same from the previous Senate proposal. The only significant change is a provision to allow states more funding flexibility during a public health crisis.

 See coverage of the new Senate proposal here:

·      Politico: The updated Senate health care bill: what you need to know

·      The Hill: New GOP healthcare bill includes version of Cruz amendment

·      Washington Post: What the Senate bill changes about Obamacare

 Full text of the bill is available here.

 A new analysis of the revised bill is expected from the Congressional Budget Office next week. Senate leadership has expressed plans to hold a vote next week too. However, it is not at all clear that the bill has sufficient support to pass.

 Also this morning, in a surprise move, moderate Republican Senators Bill Cassidy and Lindsay Graham said in a joint interview on CNN that they plan to unveil an alternative proposal. Their bill will be largely focused on giving states control over health care policy and spending. It is unclear if the Cassidy / Graham proposal is a back-up plan in case leadership’s bill fails or if it will be considered as an alternative / competitive proposal. 

The next week is shaping up to be an interesting and meaningful one for health policy. Stay tuned."

The latest from the Protect Our Care Campaign:

"The Senate is back from recess, and today released a revised Health Care Repeal bill that is worse for Coloradans. A new amendment would allow the sale of cheap, deregulated insurance plans as long as each insurer provides 1 Obamacare-compliant plan.

The Senate is planning on voting on this bill next week. Call Senator Cory Gardner today!

This new proposed Senate bill:

• Ends Medicaid expansion, under which 450,000 Coloradans have gained coverage
• Drastically cuts and caps the entire Medicaid program - putting coverage at risk for 1.3 million Coloradans who are enrolled in Medicaid and shifting $15 billion in costs to the state by 2030
• Raises premiums and deductibles for millions of Americans who buy coverage in the individual marketplace by slashing tax credits and eliminating assistance to lower out-of-pocket costs.
• Older people and people in high cost areas would see especially large cost increases for worse coverage.
• Guts consumer protections, leaving people with pre-existing conditions without access to needed health care. The bill's "Cruz Amendment" would eviscerate protections for people with pre-existing conditions.
• Continues to give $400 billion in tax cuts to the wealthy, drug companies, insurers, and other corporations.

Senator Gardner needs to hear that you oppose this bill!

Tell him to vote no on the Better Care Reconciliation Act
Senator Gardner - Denver: 303-391-5777 DC: 202-224-5941

Senator Bennet - Denver: 303-455-7600 DC: 202-224-5852

Events: (we're waiting on details for some of these events and will provide more information when we can)

• AARP Facebook Live Monday 2pm
• Vote No Vigil 7/20, 6:30pm
• Representative Mike Coffman is holding a town hall in Adams County on August 1st. Register here.
• Colorado Lives on the Line - July 29th 10am
• Save My Care Bus Tour Event August 8th on the Auraria Campus

Sample Tweets and Facebook Posts: Use social media to tell our Senators to reject repeal and protect health care for Coloradans! Tag @SenCoryGardner, @SenBennetCO

• .@SenCoryGardner Revised bill is more of the same. It'll gut Medicaid & protections for people with pre-existing conditions. #ProtectOurCare
• .@SenCoryGardner Revised bill will increase costs for seniors and gut care for children, seniors, and people w/disabilities. #VoteNo
• .@SenBennetCO The #ACA has helped 600k Coloradans get health insurance, thanks for your work to #RejectRepeal #ProtectOurCare"