Illustration: Shoshana Gordon/Axios
Democrats sent Republicans a counteroffer last night on a major year-end health package, congressional aides and lobbyists said.
Why it matters: The response to a GOP proposal earlier in the week shows there are continued negotiations on how to bundle fixes addressing drug pricing, community health centers and other priorities.
What's inside: Sources said the Democratic offer included two-year extensions for most expiring programs, like community health center funding and Medicare telehealth flexibilities.
- Democrats removed a Republican bid to include a unique identifier number for providers, to crack down on what critics term "dishonest billing," sources said. Hospitals object to that provision.
- The proposal still includes PBM policies including delinking in Medicare Part D. It also adds other drug pricing measures like a bill on patent thickets from Sens. John Cornyn and Richard Blumenthal.
Driving the news: Notably, Democrats also floated the idea of a one-year extension of enhanced ACA subsidies that expire at the end of next year.
- That was not framed as a red line for Democrats, but rather something they want to discuss. But even a short-term extension of the subsidies may not pass muster with Republicans, many of whom are ready to let them expire.
The big picture: While there is still no deal, it is at least a sign of momentum with offers being traded on major health proposals.
