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As Republicans debate how to respond to a Supreme Court ruling on ObamaCare next month, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) promises to have a plan for what happens next. The freshman senator plans to introduce a bill called the Patient Freedom Act in late May, which is meant to serve as "part two" to the GOP’s response to the looming court case, King v. Burwell. Cassidy’s plan, which would let states opt out of ObamaCare mandates and instead receive tax credits for health savings accounts, would work in tandem with the GOP’s more immediate response in case the court rules against ObamaCare. (Ferris, 5/14)

House Budget Committee Chairman Tom Price (R-Ga.) said Thursday that he does not support an idea backed by Senate Republican leadership to temporarily extend ObamaCare subsidies if the Supreme Court cripples the law. ... A plan from Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) to continue the subsidies until 2017 has been co-sponsored by Senate Republican leaders; Price becomes one of the most prominent Republicans to come out against the idea. (Sullivan, 5/14)

A Senate panel announced an investigation Thursday into ObamaCare insurance subsidies, which Republicans claim have been improperly paid out without verification. Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), who chairs the Senate Homeland Security subcommittee on investigations, is demanding proof the Obama administration has been thoroughly checking a person's income level and legal status before handing out subsidies. (Ferris, 5/14)

The Senate's top investigative committee has launched an inquiry into the system that's supposed to ensure ObamaCare tax credits go to the right customers for the right amounts -- amid concerns that many Americans are getting inflated or improper subsidies. (Edson, 5/14)

A House subcommittee on Thursday easily advanced a bipartisan measure aimed at smoothing the path for new medical cures. The House Energy and Commerce health subcommittee sent the bill on to the full committee with a voice vote and no amendments. A markup is expected next week. The 21st Century Cures bill has been gaining steam, and negotiators including Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.), ranking member Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.) and Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) had kind words for each other Thursday. (Sullivan, 5/14)