Health bill raises concerns
WASHINGTON — Pulling in different directions, Republicans are striving to get traction for a health care overhaul in danger of being dragged down by intraparty differences.
Some GOP governors weighed in Thursday evening in a letter to congressional leaders saying the House bill gives them almost no new flexibility and lacks sufficient resources to protect the vulnerable. It landed as Republican moderates and conservatives in the House remained split, and senators expressed reservations. Democrats are united in fierce opposition.
President Donald Trump, whose administration initially embraced the House health care bill, has lately called it “very preliminary,” adding that “we will take care of our people or I’m not signing it.”
On Friday morning, Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price is scheduled to meet with the restive House Republican caucus.
Although the House bill has cleared three committees, some lawmakers can visualize scenarios where things come apart. Rep. Bill Flores, R-Texas, said it’s important to get the legislation passed before Congress leaves for a two-week spring recess next month.
“That’s never healthy to let something sit out there too long because pretty soon you have a carcass left,” he said.
The House bill — called the American Health Care Act — would repeal major elements of former President Barack Obama’s law, create a new, leaner system of tax credits for health insurance, and cap future federal spending on Medicaid for low-income people. It would also reverse tax increases on wealth Americans used to finance Obama’s Affordable Care Act.
Critics say it would make health insurance more expensive for individuals, especially older adults. An analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office found 24 million people would lose their health insurance over a decade though the bill would also reduce the deficit.
Failing to pass a bill while Trump’s party controls both the House and Senate would be a devastating blow to his party.
