Friday is the deadline for states to decide whether they're interested in a partnership exchange between the state and the federal government. The Obama administration has pushed the partnership model aggressively, especially for states that weren't entirely opposed to a purely state-run exchange but simply didn't have the time to get one ready.
The partnership is an attractive model, at least on paper — it allows states to retain some control over their exchange, which will be the anchor for many states' individual and small-group markets. But it doesn't require Republican governors to fully buy into "ObamaCare," a law that remains deeply unpopular with their base.
Several states haven't made their intentions clear on a partnership, so tomorrow's deadline could be interesting. Roughly 30 states have said they won't set up an exchange entirely on their own, so that's the pool the Obama administration can potentially pull from in looking for states that are willing to share the workload.
Rough day: Gary Cohen, Health and Human Services's top implementation official, caught some friendly fire from Senate Democrats on Thursday. Cohen was grilled about several perceived holes in the implementation effort, and about the White House's bargaining position during recent debt talks. Rep. Bill Nelson
Clarence (Bill) William NelsonSenate Democrats want to avoid Kavanaugh 2.0 Democrats sound alarm on possible election chaos Trump, facing trouble in Florida, goes all in MORE (R-Fla.) was upset that the White House offered up health insurance co-ops as a source for cuts in the year-end tax deal. And Sen. Maria Cantwell
Maria Elaine CantwellDemocrats seem unlikely to move against Feinstein Hillicon Valley: Senate panel votes to subpoena Big Tech executives | Amazon says over 19,000 workers tested positive for COVID-19 | Democrats demand DHS release report warning of election interference Senate panel votes to subpoena Big Tech executives MORE (D-Wash.) took up states' frustration with the slow progress implementing the law's Basic Health Plan. Healthwatch has a full report from Cohen's rough day before the Senate Finance Committee.
Liberals lobby Obama on Social Security: Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) said pressure from congressional Democrats caused the White House to drop its support for raising the Medicare eligibility age, and she's hoping to repeat that success with the "chained CPI" in Social Security. Obama is open to the Social Security cut, but Schakowsky said she's trying to make the case to White House officials that chained CPI will have a real impact on seniors — especially in tandem with Medicare cuts the administration also supports. Healthwatch has more.
Kathleen SebeliusSpecial counsel investigating DeVos for potential Hatch Act violation: report The Hill's Coronavirus Report: Mike Roman says 3M on track to deliver 2 billion respirators globally and 1 billion in US by end of year; US, Pfizer agree to 100M doses of COVID-19 vaccine that will be free to Americans The Hill's Coronavirus Report: Former HHS Secretary Sebelius gives Trump administration a D in handling pandemic; Oxford, AstraZeneca report positive dual immunity results from early vaccine trial MORE how HIPAA might prevent state and local officials from sharing mental health records with the national criminal background check system. Murphy is leading the committee's inquiry into mass shootings and related mental health policy. Read the letter here. Sequester and the flu: Democratic leaders on the House Energy and Commerce Committee sent a "Dear Colleague" letter Thursday warning that budget sequestration would endanger vital public health work at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), the panel's ranking member, and subcommittee ranking members Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.) and Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) highlighted federal work to track and inhibit the seasonal flu virus — the subject of a hearing this week. "Advances like these and other essential public health services will be threatened if we don’t act quickly to prevent sequestration," the lawmakers wrote.
Bill surge: Congress is flooded with new and returning health bills. Here are a few:
• From Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.), a Medicare-for-all bill
• From Sens. Ben Cardin
Benjamin (Ben) Louis CardinBipartisan group of senators call on Trump to sanction Russia over Navalny poisoning Pelosi hopeful COVID-19 relief talks resume 'soon' Congress must finish work on popular conservation bill before time runs out MORE (D-Md.) and Susan Collins
Susan Margaret CollinsHouse Judiciary Republicans mockingly tweet 'Happy Birthday' to Hillary Clinton after Barrett confirmation Barrett sworn in as Supreme Court justice by Thomas Roberts to administer judicial oath to Barrett Tuesday MORE (R-Maine), bills to permanently repeal caps on therapies from skilled nursing centers
• From Sen. Marco Rubio
Marco Antonio RubioSenate GOP to drop documentary series days before election hitting China, Democrats over coronavirus Bipartisan group of senators call on Trump to sanction Russia over Navalny poisoning Trump's new interest in water resources — why now? MORE (R-Fla.) and Rep. Ileana Ros Lehtinen (R-Fla.), bills to prohibit the transportation of minors across state lines to procure abortions
• From Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) and Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), a bill to provide grants for comprehensive sex education programs
• From Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) and Lautenberg, bills to fine pharmacists that refuse to fill prescriptions they disagree with
• From Sens. Patty Murray
Patricia (Patty) Lynn MurrayPlaintiff and defendant from Obergefell v. Hodges unite to oppose Barrett's confirmation Overnight Health Care: Trump takes criticism of Fauci to a new level | GOP Health Committee chairman defends Fauci | Birx confronted Pence about Atlas Government watchdog to investigate allegations of Trump interference at CDC, FDA MORE (D-Wash.) and Jon Tester
Jonathan (Jon) TesterDemocratic Senate emerges as possible hurdle for progressives Interior says Pendley to remain at BLM despite 'dramatic tweets' from Democrats Overnight Energy: Barrett punts on climate, oil industry recusals | Ex-EPA official claims retaliation in lawsuit | Dems seek to uphold ruling ousting Pendley MORE (D-Mont.), bills to allow veterans' kids to stay on their parents' VA health insurance until they turn 26
• From Sen. Mike Enzi
Michael (Mike) Bradley EnziBottom line Chamber of Commerce endorses McSally for reelection Cynthia Lummis wins GOP Senate primary in Wyoming MORE (R-Wyo.) and Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (D-N.J.), resolutions designating March as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
Healthwatch also covered bills to repeal the healthcare law's Independent Payment Advisory Board, and to allow studies of organ transplants between HIV patients.
Friday's agenda
Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-Calif.) will hold a press conference on her Mental Health in Schools Act, joined by Los Angeles Laker Metta World Peace and other lawmakers.
State by state
Scott Walker says Medicaid plan will benefit hospitals
Mo. House budget plan skips Medicaid expansion
Jindal says he won't reconsider expanding Medicaid
Reading list
Feds increase costs to high-risk pool members
US-wide salt reduction could prevent deaths, study finds
US approves first method to give the blind limited vision
What you might have missed on Healthwatch
Liberal groups push for lower Medicare drug prices
CDC finds rise in use of 'morning-after' pill
MedPAC chief warns of Medicare payment crisis
Insurance lobby huddles with White House on ‘reasonable rates’ requirement
Comments / complaints / suggestions?
Please let us know:
Sam Baker: sbaker@thehill.com / 202-628-8351
Elise Viebeck: eviebeck@thehill.com / 202-628-8523
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