- GOP Will Tackle Medicare, Medicaid, Welfare in 2018, Ryan Says CNN by Sophie Tatum — The House GOP caucus plans to work on entitlement reform next year as a way to "tackle the debt and the deficit," according to House Speaker Paul Ryan. Speaking to Ross Kaminsky on his talk radio show, the Wisconsin Republican said Wednesday that the House would be working to reform health care entitlements in 2018, calling them "the big drivers of our debt," during a discussion about the Republican tax bill. "Tax reform grows the economy," Ryan said. "So we basically planned in this term three big budget bills: two entitlement reform bills, one economic growth tax reform bill. The first one passed the House, failed the Senate, this one, both tax bills have passed the House and the Senate, we're on track with that, and then next year we're going to have to get back at entitlement reform."
- AARP: Congress Must Prevent 'Sudden Cut' To Medicare in 2018 The Hill by Nathaniel Weixel — The AARP is urging House and Senate leaders to waive congressional rules so the Republican tax bill doesn't trigger deep cuts to Medicare. If Republicans pass their tax bill, which would add an estimated $1 trillion to the federal deficit, congressional "pay-as-you-go" rules would require an immediate $150 billion in mandatory spending cuts to offset the impact. "The sudden cut to Medicare provider funding in 2018 would have an immediate and lasting impact, including fewer providers participating in Medicare and reduced access to care for Medicare beneficiaries," AARP said in a letter sent to congressional leaders Thursday.