Healthcare-related legislation

The Better Care Reconciliation Act pushes off the Cadillac tax, eliminates the employer mandate and boosts health savings accounts.

Republican leaders released their much-awaited healthcare bill Thursday morning after months of closed-door meetings, but it’s not yet clear if they will have the votes to pass it as soon as next week.

The plan includes $15 billion a year in market-stabilizing funds over the next two years and $10 billion a year in 2020 and 2021, according to a person familiar with the plan.

But, as in the House bill, states could receive waivers of some of Obamacare’s consumer protections including provision of 'essential health benefits.'

Still, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he expects to provide a ‘discussion draft’ of the measure Thursday and that it likely will go to the floor for a vote next week.

As Washington debates the AHCA, states are pushing plans that would wipe out health insurance companies.

Republican leaders plan to brief rank-and-file members on the details of their proposal this week, including changes to tax credits and other provisions.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is proposing to keep in place the ACA’s protection against higher health-insurance premiums for people with pre-existing conditions when they buy individual coverage.

If the GOP moves forward with it, companies will lose a major incentive to provide benefits and the true problem — reducing costs — will not be addressed, says adviser Craig Hasday.

If the GOP moves forward with it, companies will lose a major incentive to provide benefits and the true problem — reducing costs — will not be addressed, says adviser Craig Hasday.