President Trump, Mike Pence and other GOP leaders pulled out all the stops yesterday in attempts to persuade 20 or so Republican lawmakers to vote for the repeal and replace plan on Thursday, NYT reports. Trump even promised to consider reversing Obama's opening with Cuba if Representative Mario Diaz-Balart from Florida voted for the bill.
In a private meeting, Trump threatened congressmen would lose their seats if they didn't vote "yes," but as of today, he still hasn't locked down the votes in the House.
Why it matters: Both parties almost always cut deals to get those last few votes, but Democrats got hammered for the deals they made to pass Obamacare. Now the GOP dealmaking is on display -- and there's probably going to be more leading up to tomorrow's Trumpcare vote.
President Trump didn't sugarcoat the political consequences of a vote against the House Obamacare replacement bill on Thursday. "I honestly think many of you will lose your seats in 2018 if you don't get this done," he told House Republicans, per a source in the room.
True enough, but these members also could lose their seats and the House majority if they do vote to pass the bill currently being considered. So they're left with a terrible choice: Vote against Obamacare repeal after campaigning on repeal for seven years, or vote to cover 24 million fewer people and potentially raise premiums for senior citizens.
Researchers are questioning the value, effectiveness and prescribing patterns of H.P. Acthar Gel, a drug used to treat multiple sclerosis and other conditions that costs $38,000 per year, Business Insider reports. Medicare continues to pay more for the drug every year even though experts believe cheaper alternatives would suffice.
Why this matters: It's another knock against Acthar and its owner Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, which has routinely found itself in the spotlight for high drug prices. The New York Times and ProPublica have reported about Acthar's soaring price and taxpayer spending since 2012.
