Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Bipartisan Legislation To Repeal Health Insurance Tax Gains Momentum
A bipartisan bill to help health insurance companies avoid fees under ObamaCare is now backed by a majority of House lawmakers, its sponsors announced Wednesday. The bill would repeal an ObamaCare provision commonly called the 鈥渉ealth insurance tax鈥 (HIT), which charges insurers an annual fee to help pay for the healthcare law. (Ferris, 4/22)
One GOP source said negotiators had resolved a sticking point over how to offset a recently enacted bipartisan Medicare overhaul that was not entirely paid for. The source said the agreement is likely to offset the overhaul, often called the 鈥渄oc fix,鈥 starting next year. But it remained unclear exactly how the agreement would resolve other points of contention, including a multi-billion dollar defense increase and strategies for taking on Obamacare. (Bade, 4/22)
The Senate on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved a bill aimed at curbing sex trafficking after leaders resolved an impasse over abortion, clearing the way for a vote Thursday on confirming Loretta Lynch for attorney general. (Peterson, 4/22)
The unanimous 99-0 vote belied much of the drama behind the legislation, which jammed up the Senate floor amid partisan bickering over whether the bill鈥檚 restitution fund for victims should be subject to abortion restrictions. The row over social issues also obscured strong support for the measure鈥檚 core provisions aimed at combating sex slavery. (Everett, 4/22)
The House on Wednesday passed a bipartisan cybersecurity bill to make it easier for companies to share cyber-threat information with the government and thwart hacks by criminals, terrorists and rogue nations. It was the first action in the new Congress in response to recent high-profile cyber attacks that have included Sony Pictures, Home Depot, JPMorgan Chase, Target, Anthem health insurance, the State Department and the White House. (Kelly, 4/22)