GOP wants ACA insurer payments restored

The details:

• The administration froze payments for the ACA's risk adjustment program last week, citing conflicting court rulings about the program.
• Walden said one of the big outstanding questions is whether HHS can issue a retroactive rule applying to previous previous plan years, for which payments are owed. And "if they can’t do a retroactive rule, we might have to legislate," he said. 
• Timing remains up in the air, but "we’re working to be ready to do whatever needs to happen," Walden said.

Threat level: House Republicans are aware that this is yet another administrative action that could raise premiums for 2019. And those rates will be finalized just before the midterms.

• Restoring the payments wouldn't cost the federal government anything. It simply facilitates payments among insurance companies.