Lawmakers ‘On The Verge’ Of Striking Bipartisan Deal To Stabilize Marketplaces, Schumer Vows
Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.), the chairman and ranking member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, resume bipartisan talks that had been shucked to the side as the Graham-Cassidy bill gained traction. But they're remaining more cautious than Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) in any promises they're making.
Reuters:
Senators Close To Bipartisan Deal On Health Exchanges: Schumer
Two U.S. senators from both parties are close to finalizing a bipartisan deal to shore up the health insurance exchanges created under Obamacare, the chamber's top Democrat said on Thursday. The move, which Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said was "on the verge" of completion, would stabilize the market for individuals who buy their own insurance plans on the federal or state-based exchanges. (Heavey, 9/28)
Politico:
Alexander, Murray Inching Toward Deal To Stabilize Obamacare
A pair of deal-making senators is inching toward a bipartisan agreement to fund Obamacare's insurance subsidies and provide some certainty to health insurance markets just two days after the GOP’s latest Obamacare repeal effort failed. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and ranking member Patty Murray (D-Wash.) are moving toward a plan to stabilize Obamacare in the short term after meeting on Wednesday. Though they have not yet clinched a deal, their progress could ignite a new battle over how or whether to improve the law. (Haberkorn and Everett, 9/28)