Dive Brief:
- Republicans leaders continue to press the rank and file to support the ACA replacement bill set for a House vote Thursday. President Donald Trump made a visit to the Hill on Tuesday and told lawmakers that a “no” vote could cost them their seats.
- The American Health Care Act (AHCA) is in a rules committee hearing Wednesday, but none of the offered amendments are expected to pass and few will get a vote.
- Medicaid Health Plans of America CEO Jeff Myers told Bloomberg that “it’s hard to be supportive (of the bill) seeing the size of the cuts.” His members include Aetna, UnitedHealth Group and Cigna.
Dive Insight:
Passage of the AHCA in the House is still far from assured as moderate Republicans and hard line conservatives in the Freedom Caucus have come out against the bill for different reasons. If the bill does get through the House, it faces an even steeper climb in the Senate.
Republican leaders approved a manager’s amendment to the bill Monday night but it had only minor changes meant to appease far right members. It would allow states to choose a Medicaid per capita cap or block grant and creates a reserve fund to supplement tax credits for older people who are not yet on Medicare.
Multiple industry groups remain opposed to the bill, including the American Hospital Association and the American Medical Association. Other heavy hitters who have come out against the AHCA include the AARP and the Heritage Foundation.
Moderate Republicans are concerned with the findings of the Congressional Budget Office, which said the AHCA would result in 24 million fewer people with coverage. Members of the Freedom Caucus, however, say the bill does not do enough to undo the Affordable Care Act and gives too much in tax credits.