Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios
Republicans and Democrats have narrowed their differences over a year-end health care package, though the next few hours could decide whether the effort collapses into a bare-bones three-month extension of expiring programs.
Why it matters: The fate of a range of measures on drug and hospital costs, community health centers and telehealth flexibilities is up in the air as negotiators close in on a CR deal.
Driving the news: In one sign of progress, sources say, Democrats have added to their latest offer a provision addressing hospital costs that would require unique identifier numbers for off-campus outpatient departments.
- Republicans have been pushing for the change, which was in the bipartisan House transparency bill.
- Language that would repeal or delay the Biden administration's nursing home staffing rule has also been dropped, according to a source familiar with the talks, removing a major source of friction.
Yes, but: There are other differences, including the amount of community health center funding and how to pay for it.
- Some Republicans have complained that Democrats and Senate HELP Chair Bernie Sanders are pushing for an unrealistically high funding level, though Democrats have come down from their initial offer.
There's less controversy around PBM proposals. If a larger package comes together, the odds are good that that PBM transparency requirements and Medicare Part D "delinking" proposals changing the way the industry is paid will be included.
What's next: Sources say it's not clear exactly when a health care deal needs to be done.
- But Speaker Mike Johnson has said negotiations on the CR are coming to a close. Text for any health care deal would likely be released this weekend to provide enough time for it to move through both chambers next week.
