Senators Lay Out Their Health Care Reform Plans Ahead of Congressional Retreat

Federal Health Care Reform

This week, President Trump will join congressional Republicans for a three-day retreat in Philadelphia to discuss health care reform, with members wanting to hear directly from the President before moving forward on a plan.  Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN), chairman of one of the two Senate committees with jurisdiction over the Affordable Care Act, recently said he first wants to offer a "rescue plan" for the current ACA exchanges by March 1, 2017, while the country transitions to a new system.  Sen. Alexander's replacement plan would give states more flexibility, repeal the ACA's restrictions on grandfathered health plans and wellness benefits, and allow people to stay on their parent's plans until they're age 26.  Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Susan Collins (R-ME) also unveiled a bill this week that would allow any state that likes the ACA to keep it.  For those states that choose to go in a different direction, their bill would eliminate many of the ACA’s mandates, allow for automatic enrollment in individual coverage, and require price transparency.  Separately, bipartisan bills to repeal the Cadillac Tax (H.R. 173 and S. 40) have been introduced in both the House and Senate.  Although there will be much to discuss at the retreat, Rep. Pat Tiberi (R-OH), a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee, said it is unlikely Republicans would finalize their replacement plan in Philadelphia.  According to Rep. Tiberi: "It's critically important to find out what the President is prepared to do.  He has said he's working on a plan that is going to come out when [his HHS nominee Rep. Tom Price] is put in place.  I just think we don’t want to get ahead of him."  Once Congress returns the week of February 1st, the reconciliation bill process is scheduled to begin, and HR Policy will be closely monitoring the state of play.  The Association is holding a special membership conference call with the American Health Policy Institute on Monday, February 6, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. EST to discuss the latest health care reform developments.  Association members can register for the call here.