A new proposal that would grant states the power to pull out of some Obamacare insurance mandates is said to be releasing this week. After a meeting with VP Mike Pence, Freedom Caucus chairman, Rep. Mark Meadows informed reporters that he expects the new deal to be announced Tuesday.
“Everybody would love to have this bill passed tomorrow if at all possible, but to put a timeline on that would set an expectation that is not realistic based on the drafting,” quotes Washington Examiner. “Most of us [in the Freedom Caucus] believe that staying here and getting it done, especially if we think we are close to a deal would be important,” Meadows said.
The new deal would allow for states to remove the mandate that forces insurance companies to cover essential health benefits like maternity care and hospitalization. Also, meeting a community rating and offering equal rates based on location would not be mandated. In order for a state to remove themselves from a regulation, they would need to obtain a waiver of some sort.
Washington Examiner adds, “Rep. Chris Collins, R-N.Y., said earlier Monday that states would have to attest that they won’t reduce coverage in order to get the waiver.
Meadows said that a waiver should be “easily granted” to states, but didn’t offer any specifics because he hasn’t seen the legislative text.
Meadows added that the mandates for insurers to cover people with preexisting conditions and letting kids stay on parents’ plan until 26 years of age will remain in place.”
