Exchange Compromise Is Slipping
Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-OH, a leading supporter of a compromise on extending enhanced Exchange premium subsidies, says a deadline of the end of January has been set for having a compromise framework ready and that the main holdup remains abortion. The earlier goal of having a bill this week will not be met.
Meanwhile, the Republican Study Committee, the largest caucus of conservatives in the House, unveiled a framework for a second reconciliation bill. Such a bill would only need a majority in each house to become law. The bill addresses affordability broadly and includes some provisions on healthcare.
- Exchange subsidies would migrate from going to health plans in the Exchange to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).
- Cost-sharing reduction subsidies in the Exchange would be appropriated again, although that was ruled out of compliance with the Senate’s Byrd rule on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passage in 2025.
- Pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform would be implemented.
- Penalties would be assessed on states that do not prohibit immigrants in the country illegally from enrolling in Medicaid.
- Other new regulations and cuts to Medicaid would also be included.
Additional article: https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5686728-gop-housing-health-energy-reforms/?tbref=hp
#exchanges #healthcare #coverage #pbms #medicaid
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5687461-senate-obamacare-compromise-deadline
Government May Pull Back 340B Reform – For Now
A court filing appears to show that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will pull back on its contentious 340B Rebate Pilot, at least for now. The filing with an appellate court says that HHS is speaking with hospital group plaintiffs about whether the fall’s green light for participating drugmakers should be “reconsidered.” HHS said expediting its appeal of the 340B pilot freeze is unnecessary and it may stop pursuing an appeal altogether. This could mean starting a regulatory process again with a different proposal.
#340b #drugpricing #hospitals #branddrugmakers
— Marc S. Ryan
