Talks Continue on Health Care Reform
Eager for a major legislative accomplishment by his 100th day in office, President Donald Trump remains optimistic that Congress will advance legislation repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) despite its previous unsuccessful effort.
President Trump said, “I want both,” when asked if it was more important for Congress to approve a spending bill or repeal and replace the ACA.
House Republicans have dampened expectations for health care reform despite reports Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC), chairman of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, and Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-NJ), co-chairman of the moderate Tuesday Group, have made progress toward an agreement making changes to the American Health Care Act (H.R. 1628).
Modifications currently being discussed would allow states to waive ACA requirements for essential health benefits such as prescription drugs and mental health.
Those changes may help attract more conservatives to support the legislation, but it could also make it less likely to garner support from moderate Republicans.
Seeking to apply some pressure on reluctant House Republicans, the conservative group Club for Growth is airing a second round of television ads targeting GOP members that have yet to announce their support for the repeal and replace legislation.