Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios
The latest Byrd rulings released by the Senate parliamentarian Sunday approved the redrafted provider tax provision, but ruled out other health measures.
Why it matters: The ruling means the delayed provider tax provisions have a likelier chance of remaining in the reconciliation package as the Senate prepares for votes.
What's inside: According to Senate Budget Democrats, the provisions that would limit Medicare coverage and ACA premium tax credits for non-citizens can also stay in the bill.
- However, several other provisions are now subject to the Byrd rule, including expanding the orphan drug exclusion under the Medicare drug price negotiation program.
- Repealing the nursing home staffing rule and other Medicaid and Medicare-related rules were also deemed to be subject to the Byrd rule.
- Also, the extra add-ons specifically for Alaska, likely to entice Sen. Lisa Murkowski to vote for the bill, which included an enhanced FMAP rate and a cost-of-living adjustment for hospital outpatient payments, were deemed to be subject to the Byrd rule.
What we're watching: The provision that would prohibit Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood and other larger organizations that perform abortions is still under review by the parliamentarian.
