Push to expand short-term health plans gains steam in Congress

Conservatives in Congress are looking to build on some of the Trump administration's executive actions on health care.

• Sen. John Barrasso, a member of GOP leadership and often the caucus's unofficial health care messenger, will introduce a bill today to let consumers renew bare-bones short-term health plans.
• House Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows said he hasn't been working with Barrasso, but he's supportive.

Why this matters: The White House has expressed interest in legislation to codify and enhance its regulatory efforts on short-term plans. Politico reported last night that it's one of the conservative policies the administration is pushing in return for stabilizing the Affordable Care Act's insurance markets. This will certainly complicate bipartisan negotiations.