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ACA enrollment remains steady

WASHINGTON — Nearly 9 million people signed up for health insurance in the Affordable Care Act’s latest open enrollment period, despite the Trump administration having cut its duration in half. The 8.8 million enrollees were only slightly fewer than the total in the last ACA open enrollment period, which, besides being longer, was much more

Senate tax reform bill may doom ACA’s individual mandate

Senate tax reform bill may doom ACA’s individual mandate

WASHINGTON — The Senate’s repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) individual mandate as part of its sweeping tax reform bill has likely spelled doom for the provision, which required people who didn’t obtain health insurance to pay a tax penalty. Sen. John Barrasso (R., Wyo.) said the 51-49 vote passing the Senate tax reform

Trump: Effort to repeal ACA is still alive

Trump: Effort to repeal ACA is still alive

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Obamacare would be repealed and replaced early next year, following the failure of the Senate’s latest effort to overturn the law. After the Senate pulled back from a vote on legislation that would have moved control of health insurance to the states, Trump said Republicans “have the votes” to

Affordable Care Act still plagued by uncertainty

Affordable Care Act still plagued by uncertainty

WASHINGTON — The failed effort to overturn the Affordable Care Act has hardly erased doubts about the law’s short- and long-term viability. Already, the Trump administration has suspended contracts with two companies that have helped thousands of people in nearly a score of cities get health insurance under the statute. In ending the $22 million

Republican bid to undo ACA falls short in Senate

Republican bid to undo ACA falls short in Senate

WASHINGTON­­ — The Senate dealt a devastating blow to Republican efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, defeating a GOP “skinny repeal” bill. Republican Sens. John McCain (Ariz.), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Susan Collins (Maine) joined with Democrats to oppose the measure, a major loss for President Trump and the Republican congressional agenda.

Retail industry hails GOP’s decision to shelve BAT

Retail industry hails GOP’s decision to shelve BAT

WASHINGTON — Retailers applauded Republicans’ move to give up their pursuit of the border adjustment tax (BAT). Prior to GOP leaders’ announcement of the decision on Thursday, retailers that receive many of the goods they sell from overseas had expressed concerns about the BAT, claiming it would pass hefty costs on to ­consumers. The week

Senate rejects ‘skinny’ repeal of ACA

Senate rejects ‘skinny’ repeal of ACA

WASHINGTON­­ — The Senate dealt a devastating blow to Republican efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act by defeating a GOP “skinny repeal” bill early Friday morning. Sens. John McCain (R., Ariz.), Lisa Murkowski (R., Alaska) and Susan Collins (R., Maine) joined with Democrats to oppose the measure, a major loss for President

Senate Republicans unveil Obamacare replacement plan

Senate Republicans unveil Obamacare replacement plan

WASHINGTON — After weeks of working behind closed doors to draft a bill to replace Obama­care, Senate Republican leaders released the Better Care Reconciliation Act and set about finding 50 votes to pass it. Like the American Health Care Act that passed the House in May, the Senate bill represents a major revision to the

Senate health care bill vote delayed

Senate health care bill vote delayed

WASHINGTON — Majority leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) yesterday withdrew a planned vote on the Senate bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. McConnell delayed action on the measure after it became apparent that Republicans lacked the votes to approve their version of legislation passed by the House in May. While he had

American Health Care Act falls short on coverage

American Health Care Act falls short on coverage

WASHINGTON — The drive to repeal and replace Obama­care has hit a roadblock. The Congressional Budget Office found that the G.O.P.-led American Health Care Act (AHCA) would leave 23 million more people uninsured in a decade. The CBO assessment cast further doubt on the chances of the Senate passing a similar bill to the AHCA,

NCPA keeps Rx top of mind amid ACA overhaul

NCPA keeps Rx top of mind amid ACA overhaul

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — As the Senate gauges the House of Representatives’ bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the National Community Pharmacists Association has called for the retention of key pharmacy-related elements. NCPA on Thursday said it sent a letter to the Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) and a 12-member working group of

Trump win raises questions about future of health care

Trump win raises questions about future of health care

WASHINGTON — If Obama­care is repealed, what will replace it? That is the question in the aftermath of the election of Donald Trump as president. Trump has vowed to “repeal and replace” the Affordable Care Act as his first act in office. If the effort succeeds, some 22 million fewer Americans would have health insurance,

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