Despite President Donald Trump's latest projection that an ACA replacement may take a year or more, Republicans in Congress are still "acting with urgency" to repeal and replace the law, according to House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis.
A statement prepared by Speaker Ryan's press office listed the following three healthcare action items on tap for Congress this week.
1. A subcommittee in the House advanced two bills Tuesday addressing loopholes in Medicaid. The first bill, H.R. 829, would close a loophole that currently allows lottery jackpot winners to still be eligible for Medicaid. The second bill, H.R. 181, would "ensure individuals with significant means are not burdening taxpayers instead of paying for their own care," according to a press release. The Energy and Commerce health subcommittee voted to advance H.R. 829 by a bipartisan vote of 20-11 and H.R. 181 by a vote of 19-13.
2. The House Small Business Committee held a hearing Tuesday to evaluate health insurance marketplace alternatives. The committee heard testimony from small business owners and experts against the ACA marketplaces. Tom Secor, president of Norwalk, Ohio-based Durable Corp., appeared on behalf of the National Small Business Association to testify the ACA offered small businesses fewer options. "We had one carrier that was willing to offer insurance, that's what our insurance agent told us," Mr. Secor said. "I'm in a rural section of Ohio and I think that's part of the difficulty … If you're in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, you have options. We do not."
3. The Senate may vote to confirm Rep. Tom Price, MD, R-Ga., for secretary of HHS. "Confirming Dr. Price, who has authority to reinvigorate the market, will be a big step forward for Americans struggling under Obamacare," Speaker Ryan's statement reads. President Trump also promised to unveil a replacement plan as soon as his nomination for HHS secretary is confirmed.
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