Health Care Weekly Preview from ML Strategies – Week of May 22, 2017

Our ML Strategies colleagues have published a preview for another big week in health care. The American Health Care Act (AHCA) continues to be a big story as the Senate works on its version. This week we watch for updates on these items and how they might impact AHCA discussions:

1. Cost-sharing reductions (CSRs) litigation on Monday
2. President Trump’s anticipated budget proposal on Tuesday
3. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) score on the House AHCA on Wednesday
4. Scheduled hearings in the House and Senate on Tuesday (Zika response), Wednesday (FY 2018 budget) and Thursday (budget proposals for Treasury and Tax Reform)

Despite reports last Friday that President Trump may seek to stop the CSRs paid to insurers, on Monday the Administration requested another 90 day extension in the House v. Price case. In a joint filing, the House and the Department of Justice requested the extension as they consider measures that might remove the need for the payments, including legislation to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

On Tuesday, President Trump’s budget proposal will be released. We anticipate major cuts to Medicaid, and to supplemental income and nutritional assistance programs. Then on Wednesday, the CBO will release its score of the AHCA. We don’t anticipate major changes from the original results, but stay tuned for updates.