- Leaked GOP Obamacare Replacement Shrinks Subsidies, Medicaid Expansion Politico by Paul Demko—A draft House Republican repeal bill would dismantle the Obamacare subsidies and scrap its Medicaid expansion, according to a copy of the proposal obtained by POLITICO. The legislation would take down the foundation of Obamacare, including the individual mandate, subsidies based on people's income, and all of the law's taxes.
- GOP Health Plan: Lower Costs, Better Care, or Road to Ruin? AP by Alan Fram—Top House Republicans say their outline for replacing President Barack Obama's health care law is a pathway to greater flexibility and lower costs for consumers. Democrats see a road to ruin for millions who'd face lost coverage and higher medical expenses, particularly the poor.
- Repeal of Health Law Faces Obstacles in House, Not Just in Senate New York Times by Jennifer Steinhauer—Ever since Republicans got down to the business of repealing the Affordable Care Act, the Senate has been singled out as the likely problem. Any plan that could zoom through the House would hit roadblocks among Senate Republicans, many of whom have resisted a wholesale repeal of the health law without a robust replacement plan. But after weeks of loud protests, boisterous town hall meetings and scores of quieter meetings with health care professionals, patients, caregivers and hospital managers in their districts, it is becoming increasingly likely that a consensus in the House may be just as hard to reach.
- Trump Vowed to Protect the Safety Net. What If His Appointees Disagree? New York Times by Yamiche Alcindor—When President Trump addresses Congress this Tuesday and follows the speech with a budget blueprint for the fiscal year that begins in October, his White House will finally address in concrete numbers one of his central contradictions: He campaigned as the populist protector of programs for the working class, yet he has pledged to control the budget deficit, cut spending and cut taxes. Moreover, Mr. Trump has surrounded himself with traditional small-government conservatives bent on cutting back or eliminating many of the programs he has championed. Former Representative Mick Mulvaney of South Carolina, for example, the new White House budget director, has called Social Security a "Ponzi scheme".
- Obamacare Fix Hinges on Medicaid Clash in Senate The Hill by Alexander Bolton—The most divisive issue for Senate Republicans when it comes to repealing and replacing Obamacare is what to do with Medicaid. The Affordable Care Act gave states the option of accepting federal funds to expand Medicaid, the health care program for the poor and disabled. Millions of people gained health insurance after 31 states—including many with Republican governors—decided to accept the deal.
