Deep-pocketed health care lobbies line up against Trump
Deep-pocketed health care lobbies line up against Trump
The GOP's Obamacare repeal bill is detested by virtually all of the most powerful health care groups.
By Adam Cancryn , Sarah Karlin-Smith and Paul Demko 05/03/17 06:56 PM EDT
Just about every major health care group opposes President Donald Trump’s health care overhaul — and the self-styled negotiator-in-chief hasn’t tried cutting a deal with them.
The opposition from the deep-pocketed health care industry — and patient advocacy groups from the American Heart Association to the March of Dimes — has made it hard for Republicans to push Obamacare repeal through the House. And they could be a persistent obstacle if the legislation makes it to the Senate.
“A bill that’s completely opposed by the whole health care establishment is very, very difficult to pass,” said John Rother, who was the AARP’s top lobbyist for more than two decades.
Hospitals and doctors are actively engaged in killing Trump’s plan, fearful that its severe cuts to Medicaid and insurance subsidies will wreak havoc on their bottom lines. Patient advocates object to again allowing insurers to charge sick people more. Notably, insurers are largely avoiding this battle, focusing instead on pressuring Republicans to keep paying out Obamacare subsidies.
And recent changes to the House legislation meant to entice reluctant GOP moderates has only deepened the industry’s resolve.
“It’s worse. We hate it,” Illinois Health and Hospital Association spokesman Danny Chun said about the latest tweaks. “We’re still opposing it, and we’re again contacting our delegation, especially the Republicans: Do not support it when it hits the floor.”
http://www.politico.com/story/2017/05/03/obamacare-repeal-health-care-237948
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