Capitol Correspondence - 02.05.18

GOP Not Inclined to Pursue Obamacare Repeal in 2018

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Republican Members of Congress are currently discussing their policy priorities at their annual strategy retreat – this year in West Virginia. As quoted in Politico regarding repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA, also known as Obamacare): “It would be a heavy lift. I think everybody knows,” said Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the No. 3 GOP leader. “We sort of tested the limits of what we can do in the Senate last year. And we’re one vote down from where we were then.” Read the full article here.

Due to previous repeal legislation also containing provisions that would block-grant Medicaid, ANCOR is relieved that health care reform does not appear to be a Congressional priority for 2018 at this time. However, because priorities change rapidly in Congress, providers should continue to pro-actively educate Members of Congress on the importance of Medicaid to people with IDD, and on the need for stability in IDD supports and services.

We strongly encourage you to reach out to your Members of Congress for site visits, in-district meetings and other such bridge-building. Please contact Doris Parfaite-Claude, Federal Advocacy and Research Manager, at [email protected] if you wish for assistance in these endeavors.