Republicans adding high-risk pool funding to save ACA replacement plan
House Republicans reportedly worked late into the night May 2 on further amendments to the American Health Care Act (AHCA) to address opposition from moderates about the bill’s lack of protections for people with pre-existing conditions.
According to the Independent Journal Review, the focus was on Reps. Fred Upton, R-Michigan, and Billy Long, R-Missouri. Upton had said on Holland, Michigan, radio station WHTC that he couldn’t support the bill as it “torpedoes” pre-existing conditions protections by allowing states to waive the ACA’s “community rating” provision, which opens the door to insurers charging customers higher premiums based on their medical history.
To earn their support, moderates and conservatives have agreed to add $8 billion in funding for high-risk pools to the legislation, which had already included $130 billion for that very purpose.
“I think we're finding that sweet spot,” a Republican aide told IJR.
Liberal groups, however, say the extra $8 billion is well short of what the high-risk pools would actually need. Read the full article below:
John joined TriMed in 2016, focusing on healthcare policy and regulation. After graduating from Columbia College Chicago, he worked at FM News Chicago and Rivet News Radio, and worked on the state government and politics beat for the Illinois Radio Network. Outside of work, you may find him adding to his never-ending graphic novel collection.