House GOP unveils healthcare plan ahead of vote next week as cost hike looms for millions
House Republicans have released a 111-page plan for reforming healthcare that they hope to vote on next week.House GOP leadership aides also told reporters on Friday afternoon that they expected...
By Fox News · Fox News
House Republicans have released a 111-page plan for reforming healthcare that they hope to vote on next week. House GOP leadership aides also told reporters on Friday afternoon that they expected a vote on extending enhanced Obamacare subsidies to also happen next week as part of the amendment process to the final bill, called the "Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act." The subsidies have been the subject of fierce inter-party debate for Republicans. "We expect that there will be an amendment that I believe is being worked on, so the process will allow for that amendment," aides said. The plan as-is includes provisions to codify association health plans, which allow small businesses and people who are self-employed to band together to purchase healthcare coverage plans, giving them access to greater bargaining power. SENATE DEMS' OBAMACARE FIX FAILS AS SENATE LOOKS FOR OFF-RAMP FROM HEALTHCARE CLIFF Republicans also plan to appropriate funding for cost-sharing reductions beginning in 2027, which are designed to lower out-of-pocket medical costs in the individual healthcare market. House GOP leadership aides said it would bring down the cost of premiums by 12%. New transparency requirements for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are also in the legislation, aimed at forcing PBMs to be more upfront about costs to employers. GOP UNVEILS PLAN FOR 'TRUMP HEALTH FREEDOM ACCOUNTS' TO REPLACE OBAMACARE SUBSIDIES WITH STATE WAIVERS PBMs are third parties that act as intermediaries between pharmaceutical companies and those responsible for insurance coverage, often responsible for administrative tasks and negotiating drug prices. PBMs have also been the subject of bipartisan ire in Congress, with both Republicans and Democrats accusing them of being part of a broken system to inflate health costs. But the most divisive measure for Republicans is likely not yet fleshed out. A majority of House Republicans are against extending the enhanced Obamacare subsidies, which…