President Donald Trump's administration and the House of Representatives on Monday asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to further delay a lawsuit over ACA insurance cost-sharing subsidies, reports Politico.
The Republican-led House filed the lawsuit in 2014, arguing that the payments, which help insurers subsidize the cost of coverage for low-income Americans, were not legally funded. Two years later, House Republicans prevailed in the lawsuit, which was followed by an appeal from former President Barack Obama's administration. The current White House delayed the lawsuit in February, providing until May 22 to file a status report. The Trump administration now seeks another 90-day extension for House v. Price, according to Politico.
"The parties continue to discuss measures that would obviate the need for judicial determination of this appeal, including potential legislative action," the House and White House said, according to the report.
The Trump administration's request comes as Republicans continue efforts to repeal and replace the ACA, and as insurers try to make decisions on their future in the ACA marketplaces. President Trump has suggested letting the ACA markets collapse could help spur passage of a healthcare overhaul, according to Politico.
The subsidies have been paid for this month, although the future of the payments is unclear, the report notes.