Few Republicans Have Appetite To Risk Another Repeal Failure In Election Year
“We sort of tested the limits of what we can do in the Senate last year. And we’re one vote down from where we were then," said Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), the No. 3 GOP leader.
Politico:
Republicans Give Up On Obamacare Repeal
Republicans are giving up on their years-long dream of repealing Obamacare. Though the GOP still controls both chambers of Congress and maintains the ability to jam through a repeal-and-replace bill via a simple majority, there are no discussions of doing so here at House and Senate Republicans’ joint retreat at The Greenbrier resort. Republicans doubt they can even pass a budget providing for the powerful party-line “reconciliation” procedure used to pass tax reform last year, much less take on the politically perilous task of rewriting health care laws in an election year. (Everett, 2/1)
In other national health care news —
Stat:
Physicians, Ethicists Urge Congress Not To Pass 'Right To Try' Legislation
Dozens of doctors, medical ethicists, and lawyers are warning Congress that legislation to allow Americans with life-threatening conditions access to unapproved, experimental drugs risks harming patients’ health. The letter was drafted by Alison Bateman-House, associate professor of medical ethics at NYU Langone Health, along with some of her colleagues. It is addressed to the leaders of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, the committee currently considering a so-called “right-to-try” bill. The letter was circulated for online signatures on Thursday, and organizers said they planned to send the letter on Feb. 5. (Swetlitz, 2/1)
The Hill:
Right To Try Act Gains Momentum After Trump Pitch
Advocates of “right to try” legislation have been given a jolt of momentum by President Trump’s decision to tout the bill during his State of the Union address. The legislation would allow patients with a serious illness to request access to experimental medicines that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn’t yet approved. (Roubein, 2/1)
The New York Times:
Businesses Look At Washington And Say, ‘Never Mind, We’ll Do It’
Can private businesses solve public policy problems better than the government? It’s a question that has persisted for decades and taken on new resonance now that a career businessman is in the White House. There has never been a clear answer. For every sign of success — a smooth privatized toll road or a gleaming charter school — there have been obstacles revealing just how difficult public works can be. But companies haven’t stopped trying. (Gelles, 2/1)
Reuters:
U.S. Government Proposes 1.84 Percent Hike In 2019 Payments To Medicare Insurers
The U.S. government on Thursday proposed an increase of 1.84 percent on average in its 2019 payments to the health insurers that manage Medicare Advantage insurance plans for more than 20 million elderly or disabled people. The proposed rate, which affects how much insurers charge for monthly healthcare premiums, plan benefits and ultimately, how much they profit, was near analyst expectations, and insurer shares were largely unchanged in after-hours trading. (Humer, 2/1)