The future of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) remains uncertain, as two separate bills put forward have failed to garner significant support between the Democrats and Republicans or clear enthusiasm from the White House. A Republican bill put forward by Bill Cassidy of Tenn. and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina aims to define the powers of states to resolve the future of their health systems, should Republicans fail to undo the 2010, health law known as Obamacare. A procedural device would allow the bill, widely regarded as the last clear Republican effort the undo the ACA, to pass with a simple majority, as opposed to the typical 60 votes typically required. However, with conservatives reluctant to leave aspects of the ACA in place at the state level, the bill would still require house approval with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, amongst others, skeptical of the new bill. Should the bill reach the President, indications have been that the bill would be signed. Meanwhile, a bipartisan bill has also been offered by Sens. Lamar Alexander (R., Louisiana) and Patty Murray (D., Wash.) that aims to ensure federal funding to insurers that support the Obamacare markets. These subsidies are under legal challenges from the Republicans, although President Trump continues to provide the monthly payments. The outcome of the insurance markets remains unclear should the federal payments be pulled with insurer's warning of a rise in premiums, however, GOP legislators remain open to negotiation in return for flexibility at the state level in ACA implementation. If neither bill gains the required support then the ACA will remain in place, although its future will continue to be unclear.
The future of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) remains uncertain, as two separate bills put forward have failed to garner significant support between the Democrats and Republicans or clear enthusiasm from the White House. A Republican bill put forward by Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina aims to define the powers of states to resolve the future of their health systems, should Republicans fail to undo the 2010, health law known as Obamacare. A procedural device would allow the bill, widely regarded as the last clear Republican effort the undo the ACA, to pass with a simple majority, as opposed to the typical 60 votes typically required. However, with conservatives reluctant to leave aspects of the ACA in place at the state level, the bill would still require house approval with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, amongst others, skeptical of the new bill. Should the bill reach the President, indications have been that the bill would be signed. Meanwhile, a bipartisan bill has also been offered by Sens. Lamar Alexander (R., Tenn.) and Patty Murray (D., Wash.) that aims to ensure federal funding to insurers that support the Obamacare markets. These subsidies are under legal challenges from the Republicans, although President Trump continues to provide the monthly payments. The outcome of the insurance markets remains unclear should the federal payments be pulled with insurer's warning of a rise in premiums, however, GOP legislators remain open to negotiation in return for flexibility at the state level in ACA implementation. If neither bill gains the required support then the ACA will remain in place, although its future will continue to be unclear.