Friday's health stories
Hospitals looking to punt $43 billion in Medicaid cuts
Starting Oct. 1, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is required under the Affordable Care Act to cut special Medicaid funding that goes to hospitals for treating large amounts of uninsured patients. The cuts would total $43 billion through 2025, and the agency released a rule this week explaining how the so-called Medicaid "disproportionate share hospital," or DSH, payments would be cut.
What we're hearing: Those cuts have been delayed three times already and are almost certain to be delayed again. Shawn Gremminger, a top lobbyist for America's Essential Hospitals, said DSH funding will be his group's "primary focus" now that the ACA repeal-and-replace efforts are squashed. "We can't make huge cuts to DSH when there are still 28 million people who are uninsured," he said. The American Hospital Association also will lobby Congress on the issue, a spokeswoman said.
How DSH cuts would be addressed: The reauthorization bill for the Children's Health Insurance Program, which also needs to be passed before Oct. 1.
Obama spox: Congress needs to come together to improve ACA
A spokesperson for President Barack Obama issued a statement regarding the Senate's failure to repeal the Affordable Care Act, saying that Obama "believes it is still possible for Congress to demonstrate the necessary bipartisanship and political courage" to improve upon the law together.
Summing it up: "The Affordable Care Act has always been about something bigger than politics — it's about the character of our country…It's about the dreams protected, and the untold misery and ruin prevented."
Paul Ryan: "It's anybody's guess" what will happen with health bill
Paul Ryan seemed as in the dark as the rest of the country regarding the Senate GOP's plan for health care during his weekly press conference. When asked if a "skinny repeal" plan would actually fulfill the promises of the last seven years, he replied: "I'm going to reserve judgment until I see what the Senate actually produces…it's anybody's guess what they actually come out with."
- Trump's transgender troop ban: "The DoD is reviewing this with the White House. I look forward to seeing what it is they produce."
- On the White House palace intrigue: "I believe [Reince Priebus] has the president's confidence…I think Reince is doing a great job as chief of staff."
- The Russia/Iran/NK sanctions bill: "[W]hat we're saying is we need to sanction these regimes because of what they've done."
- Trump's tweets: "I don't read that stuff."