Trending News Today: Revised Healthcare Reform Bill Gains Steam

Yesterday, the House Freedom Caucus endorsed a revised version of the American Health Care Act (AHCA). This positive opinion may prove crucial to the success of the bill in Congress, as the group’s lack of support when the AHCA was first proposed added to its demise. Despite the conservative support, a GOP moderate leader has said that the revised legislation just shifted blame and saved face, and that it would be unlikely to gain support from centrists, according to The New York Times. Without support from moderate Republicans, the fate of the bill is uncertain.

Rep Tom MacArthur (R-NJ), co-chair of the House Freedom Caucus, recently said he is cautiously optimistic about the bill gaining GOP support. The amendment would allow states to opt out of certain Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandates if they can prove it would lower premiums, increase the insured rate, stabilize the marketplace, or increase health plan offerings, according to Politico. However, the amendment does not address proposed Medicaid expansion changes, which would significantly alter the program and is largely not supported by moderates.

The Trump administration announced yesterday that they would continue to provide funding for the ACA in an attempt to avoid a government shut down, the Los Angeles Times reported. Previously, President Donald Trump said he would withhold funding for subsidies that drive down costs for low-income individuals purchasing coverage on the marketplaces. While House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) said the funding would not be included in the spending bill, it will be provided administratively, according to the article.