Trending News Today: Lawmakers Wrestle With AHCA Funding

GOP Senators have been considering keeping certain Affordable Care Act (ACA) taxes to ensure proper funding for the American Health Care Act. While many lawmakers want to make the Senate version more generous than the House-approved legislation, they are running into issues securing proper funding, according to Politico. Republican Senators are tasked with creating a balance between driving down healthcare costs and repealing taxes.

Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary David Shulkin recently testified before the Senate urging them to vote on legislation that would expand access to private physicians. This bill would remove administrative restrictions and provide additional funding for private care, according to The New York Times. While this may allow more veterans to receive healthcare, Senate Democrats argue that the bill would increase funding to outside care, despite flat funding for VA programs. These lawmakers are concerned that this could result in VA facilities closing, the Times reported.

Georgia health officials warn that small yellow pills resembling prescription drugs have caused numerous overdoses and 4 deaths in the state, according to The Washington Post. While the drugs may be marked with legitimate drug names, the officials say the pills are counterfeit. Some individuals have purchased the pills believing them to be acetaminophen/oxycodone (Percocet), but they actually contain a potent substance that investigators are working to identify, the Post said.