GOP to kill language exempting staff from new ObamaCare repeal bill [View all]

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Source: The Hill

GOP to kill language exempting staff from new ObamaCare repeal bill

By Jessie Hellman - 04/26/17 05:33 PM EDT

Republicans say they will kill a provision in their new ObamaCare replacement bill that would have exempted members of Congress and their staffs from some of its effects. An amendment to the American Health Care Act intended to win over conservatives would allow states to apply for waivers for certain ObamaCare provisions — but it wouldn’t apply to Congress.

Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-N.J.), an author of the new language, said he is working with leadership to remove the exemption. “That’ll be fixed,” he said. “That was written in to comply with some Senate rules to make sure it’s just a budget vote. … Leadership has already committed that we will have a stand-alone bill that corrects that. Congress, my staff, we’re on the Affordable Care Act exchange. We need to live by the same rules as everyone else, period. And I will make sure that is fixed before a vote.”

MacArthur’s amendment, negotiated with Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), the chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, would gives states the ability to opt out of ObamaCare rules that keep insurers from charging premiums based on a customer’s health and require basic health plans to cover certain services, like prescription drugs and mental healthcare. It isn’t entirely clear why or how language exempting lawmakers and staffers ended up in the amendment.
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Democrats quickly jumped on the controversy, with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) launching digital ads in 30 Republican-held districts, including those of MacArthur and Rep. Darrell Issa (Calif.). “This digital ad campaign will educate voters in targeted districts about this morally bankrupt Congressional Carveout,” DCCC Spokesman Tyler Law said in a statement.
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Read more: http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/330763-gop-to-kill-language-exempting-staff-from-new-obamacare-repeal-bill