Ryan: ObamaCare mandate repeal up for consideration in tax bill

Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said on Sunday that repealing ObamaCare’s individual mandate is being discussed in talks surrounding the Republican tax-reform plan.
“We have an active conversation with our members and a whole host of ideas on things to add to this bill. And that’s one of the things that’s being discussed,” Ryan told Chris Wallace on “Fox News Sunday.”
{mosads}”We’re listening to our members about what we can do to add to this bill to make it even better. So that’s among the ideas that a lot of members are suggesting that we could add to this bill to make it even better,” he continued.
Ryan’s comments come after House Republicans unveiled their tax-reform plan last week. The measure is expected to pass through the lower chamber but face a more difficult path in the Senate.
Key Republicans and President Trump have called for a repeal of the individual mandate to be included in the legislation.
Trump tweeted last Wednesday that he wanted to see a repeal in the plan.
Wouldn’t it be great to Repeal the very unfair and unpopular Individual Mandate in ObamaCare and use those savings for further Tax Cuts…..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 1, 2017
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-Texas) said last Friday that lawmakers were considering the move.
“No decisions have been made; we’re listening to members and certainly the president as well,” Brady said.
Brady had previously dismissed the idea as being too politically risky.
The Congressional Budget Office found that repealing the mandate would save $416 billion over 10 years, with the government paying out less in subsidies to fewer insured people.
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