HEALTHCARE/OBAMACARE(ACA)/POLITICS: “Two key senators reached a bipartisan agreement Tuesday [10-17-17] aimed at shoring up the Affordable Care Act and lifting some of the health law’s requirements, drawing support from President Donald Trump who called it a ‘short-term deal.’
While some details are still being completed, the proposal by Sens. Lamar Alexander (R., Tenn.) and Patty Murray (D., Wash.) is the first major bipartisan effort to gain traction on health policy since the 2016 election. Still, the compromise could be derailed by conservative House Republicans intent on toppling the Obama-era law.
The deal, which caps off almost three months of work that started after GOP efforts to repeal the 2010 law known as Obamacare failed, could potentially affect many of the roughly 18 million people in the individual market as well as employer coverage in some states.
Under the deal, Republicans would get changes that let states get speedier and more flexible federal waivers to the health law, as well as the ability of more people to sign up for bare-bone health plans with low premiums. Democrats would get restored funding for billions of dollars in insurer subsidies, funds that Mr. Trump proposed cutting this month.”
-Stephanie Armour and Kristina Peterson, “Senators Reach Deal to Shore Up Health-Insurance Markets,” The Wall Street Journal online, Oct. 17, 2017 07:54pm