Republicans Consider Obamacare Repeal Through Reconciliation
Some GOP lawmakers continue to advocate for an Affordable Care Act repeal via the budget reconciliation process. Others, however, have been questioning whether this budget tactic would be better used for different policy objectives, such as tax reform.
The budget resolution provided a July 24 deadline for the committees with health care jurisdiction to determine a repeal plan. House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) is reportedly planning to meet the deadline. He has said that many House Republicans “want to use reconciliation to go after Obamacare.” However, Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) has noted there is “no timeline on the reconciliation bill, so it can be used at any point.” Senate Committee on Finance Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN) have both stated that they have not written reconciliation plans. Both chairmen believe such plans should be drawn up by Senate leadership.
This Week’s Hearings:

  • Tuesday, July 14: The House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations will hold a hearing titled “Medicare Part D: Measures Needed to Strengthen Program Integrity.”
  • Tuesday, July 14: The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health will hold a hearing focused on health care legislation titled “H.R. 272; H.R. 353; H.R. 359; H.R. 421; H.R. 423; H.R. 1356; H.R. 1688; H.R. 1862; H.R. 2464; H.R. 2914; H.R. 2915; H.R. 2016; and, Draft Legislation to Authorize VA Major Medical Facility Construction Projects for FY 2015 and to Make Certain Improvements in the Administration of VA Medical Facility Construction Projects.”
  • Tuesday, July 14: The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Space, Science, and Competitiveness will hold a hearing titled “Unlocking the Cures for America’s Most Deadly Diseases.”
  • Wednesday, July 15: The Senate Special Committee on Aging will hold a hearing titled “Diabetes Research: Improving Lives on the Path to a Cure.”
  • Thursday, July 16: The Senate Committee on Finance will hold a hearing titled “Reviewing HealthCare.gov Controls.”