Republican Lawmakers Begin Hearings On Revamping Medicaid But Bypass The Big Issues
The House subcommittee looked at specific issues such as third-party liabilities and excess spending but didn't tackle some of the larger questions on whether to keep the health law's expansion of Medicaid or turning to a block grant program. Also, Democrats complained about claims by some conservatives that the expansion left many disabled people on waiting lists for services.
Morning Consult:
Republicans Consider Broader Medicaid Changes As They Weigh Its Future
Republicans are eyeing how they can reform Medicaid, and health insurers that offer Medicaid plans want them to look beyond questions of funding and expansion. A hearing before the Energy and Commerce Oversight Subcommittee Tuesday offered some insight into how lawmakers on a key health care panel want to change the federal program for low-income Americans, such as making it more efficient. But the hearing offered no details on the biggest question facing Republicans: whether to repeal an Affordable Care Act provision that expands Medicaid, which 31 states and D.C. have signed up for. There was also no clarity on President Donald Trump’s suggestion to use block grants to expand the program’s coverage. (McIntire, 1/31)
Modern Healthcare:
Dems Say GOP Is Using 'Alternative Facts' To Justify Ending Medicaid Expansion
Democratic lawmakers say a key GOP talking point that Medicaid expansion is leaving disabled and mentally ill individuals without care is an example of “alternative facts” and has no bearing on reality. During a House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing Tuesday, a witness chosen by GOP lawmakers appeared to link the decision of 31 states to expand Medicaid to a phenomenon in which disabled adults and children are left waiting to access home and community-based services. (Dickson, 1/31)
The Washington Post:
Paul Ryan’s Claim That ‘More And More Doctors Just Won’t Take Medicaid’
During a town hall on Republican plans to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, Ryan described the need for changes to the Medicaid program at the state level. Some states made changes so that low-income enrollees could get coverage and access to care, but not all states did, he said. Ryan claimed that “more and more doctors just won’t take Medicaid because they lose money on Medicaid.” He also said during the town hall that his concern was that Medicaid is “so over-regulated and so bureaucratic that physicians just won’t take Medicaid patients. And so our concern is that people on Medicaid can’t get a doctor, and if you can’t get a doctor, what good is your coverage?” We explored the facts. (Lee, 2/1)
Bloomberg:
Slow Pace Of Obamacare Repeal Leaves House Conservatives Fuming
Party members emerged from a closed-door retreat in Philadelphia last week frustrated at the lack of progress in uniting around a plan to repeal and replace Obamacare. Numerous health-care alternatives have been offered by Republicans, but none have won consensus in the party. GOP leaders and committee chairmen have yet to get behind a legislative alternative, although House Speaker Paul Ryan has put forward a series of broad ideas in a blueprint released last year, including refundable tax credits and high-risk pools. (Kapur, 1/31)