McConnell: Health Law Repeal To Happen Fast, Replacement Specifics Less Clear
Even as the Senate majority leader confirms Republicans' plan to repeal elements of President Barack Obama's signature health law early next year, some GOP lawmakers are beginning to focus on the need to take steps to stabilize the individual insurance market.
Reuters:
McConnell Will Not Give Timeline For Obamacare Replacement
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Monday the Senate will move to repeal President Barack Obama's healthcare law shortly after Jan. 1, but declined to give a timeline for a plan to replace it. (Zengerle, 12/12)
In other news on the future of the health law —
NPR:
Obamacare's Death Could Be Faster Than Republicans Intend
Republicans in Congress say they'll vote to repeal much of the Affordable Care Act early next year — even though they don't yet have a plan to replace it. But they also insist that they don't want to harm any of the millions of people who got their health insurance under the law. (Kodjak, 12/12)
The Baltimore Sun:
Enrollment Is Brisk As Congress Mulls Repeal Of Obamacare
As the Republican-led Congress and the President-elect Donald J. Trump call for the repeal of the federal health care law known as Obamacare, insurance exchanges in Maryland and around the country continue to sign people up for coverage at a pace that could make it a banner year. Officials at the online marketplaces are making an extra push to enroll consumers ahead of Thursday's deadline for coverage beginning at the first of the year. (Cohn, 12/12)
The Hill:
Pro-ObamaCare Groups Launch Ads Against Repeal
A coalition of groups fighting ObamaCare repeal is launching a “seven-figure” ad-buy in selected states warning against the dangers of scrapping the law without a replacement. The coalition is called the Alliance for Healthcare Security, and includes liberal advocacy groups like Families USA and Physicians for a National Health Program. The print and digital ads are targeted to Alaska, Arizona, Maine, Nevada, Tennessee and Washington, D.C. (Sullivan, 12/12)