House Republican leaders released a new version of the American Health Care Act late Monday night that includes several changes aimed at building support for the troubled bill, including speeding up the elimination of taxes under Obamacare.
The changes come just a few days before Republicans hope to move the bill through the Rules Committee, which would set up a Thursday vote on the House floor.
The key tax change from the House Ways & Means Committee would repeal Obamacare taxes this year, instead of in 2018. It would let people deduct from their taxes all medical expenses above 5.8 percent of their income, instead of the original 10 percent threshold.
The new language would also bar the use of taxpayer dollars, both through new tax credits and State Stability Funds, from being used for abortions or abortion coverage.
The Energy and Commerce committee added language that would give state additional flexibility in how governors administer Medicaid. States would be able to opt out of their per capita allotment baseline and receive funding through a federal block grant, which would free states to spend that money however they see fit.
States would be given flexibility when it comes to implementing sensible work requirements for able-bodied adults who receive Medicaid benefits. In addition, new states would no longer be able to opt into Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion.
The annual inflation rate for elderly and disabled Medicaid recipients would increase under the new bill, to assist those populations with cost-of-living increases.
In a major concession to GOP moderates, the House agreed to possibly enhance tax credits for people ages 50 to 64. But the House didn’t divulge how much more it will give, and said only that the bill “provides the Senate flexibility to potentially enhance the tax credit.”
Moderates have been upset that seniors who aren’t old enough to get Medicare could end up paying much more, as insurers could charge seniors five times the amount they charge a younger person. Under Obamacare, insurers would only be able to charge three times the amount of a younger person.
Some of the changes are more targeted. In a bid to sway moderates from New York, the amendment includes a provision that would cut off counties from having to pay Medicaid.
Top Republicans said the changes should help broaden support for the bill.
“Our legislation includes ideas from Republican members who are committed to improving healthcare for patients and families across the country,” said Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady in a statement. “We’re confident these changes will set AHCA up for success in the House. We look forward to working with our Senate colleagues to get this bill over the finish line and send it to the President as quickly as possible.”
House Speaker Paul Ryan said the changes will help get the bill passed in a vote on Thursday.
“With the president’s leadership and support for this historic legislation, we are now one step closer to keeping our promise to the American people and ending the Obamacare nightmare,” he said in a statement.
But the House Freedom Caucus hinted before the amendment was released that the changes wouldn’t be enough to get their support. Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., told reporters Monday night that he is confident the bill doesn’t have enough votes to pass.
