Vice President Mike Pence has been conducting meetings with lawmakers over a new Obamacare repeal plan Tuesday as the House scrambles to clean up the last healthcare failure.
Unfortunately, it does not look like that the tide will turn anytime soon. While talks include seeking out provisions to appease hard-line conservatives, moderates may now push back.
Some House Conservatives want to change Obamacare to include provisions that will allow states to choose waivers for a few regulations:
The first regulation, known as essential health benefits, requires insurance plans to cover services like mental health and prescription drugs. The second, known as community rating, prevents insurers from charging higher premiums to people with pre-existing conditions.
Conservatives have long argued that the two regulations drive up premiums, and some of them have reacted favorably to the proposal.
Most moderates do not want that option. One Republican source toldThe Hill that “this concept is already showing signs of losing a ton” of votes while no one has been able to pick up any yes votes.
Rep. Leonard Lance (R-NJ) will stick with his no vote as he “warned against allowing sick people to be charged more.” He believes removing the pre-existing condition provision “would effectively result in a return to the days before ObamaCare.”
Rep. Tom Reed (R-NY) liked the failed AHCA bill, but remains hesitant to support this one due to the community rating:
“I appreciate the state’s rights argument but recognize that there’s a reason behind community rating and the benefit that it brings to the insurance reforms,” he told reporters.
Via LI