Illustration: Shoshana Gordon/Axios
Health care talks have been revived in Congress and there is new optimism about reaching a deal, though the clock is ticking and there are still potential problems.
Why it matters: After talks almost fell apart yesterday, the chances have increased for a deal, though nothing is certain.
- Republicans are preparing a new offer to Democrats, but it is not expected to be wildly different than details that have started to circulate among lobbyists about the latest in the talks.
What's inside: Those details, which are not final, include:
- A two-year extension for Medicare telehealth flexibilities, five years for the hospital at home program, a five year reauthorization of the SUPPORT Act to fight opioid abuse, and one to two years for the pandemic preparedness PAHPA bill.
- On PBMs, the bill would have new transparency measures, ban spread pricing in Medicaid and "delink" PBM compensation from the price of a drug in Medicare Part D.
- There has been some discussion of the new Republican offer adding in a requirement for PBMs to pass through 100% of rebates in the commercial market, though it's unclear if that will end up being included.
- Democrats have proposed including a bipartisan drug pricing bill cracking down on "patent thickets" that delay competition, but it is possible Republicans will seek to take that out.
- Community health center funding, which had been a sticking point, is expected to end up at a small increase.
What's next: While there has been progress, it's possible new obstacles will arise with the new Republican offer, and there is not much time.
