GOP preparing healthcare reform alternatives

Key Republicans are prepping healthcare reform legislation in the House and Senate that focuses on cost, access and quality, trying to trump a Democratic-led effort to do the same. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), the ranking member on the House Budget Committee and who also serves on the Ways and Means' health panel, said he intends to introduce the bill next week. The legislation is co-sponsored by Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.).

Specific details remain unclear, but the GOP-led effort—one of several expected over the course of the session—indicates that Republicans are, in part, frustrated by what they see as a lack of bipartisanship. Rep. Dave Camp (R-Mich.), the ranking member on the Ways and Means Committee, said that he expects more alternatives, adding that the GOP “has a lot of ideas on healthcare.”

Meantime, members of a Republican healthcare task force chided Democrats—both on Capitol Hill and at the White House—for excluding their input. “We want this to be a bipartisan effort, but for it to be a bipartisan effort, you have to talk to us,” said Rep. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), who chairs the group. “And that’s not happening.”

Sens. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) and Richard Burr (R-N.C.) are expected to introduce a similar measure in the Senate.

What do you think? Post a comment on this article and share your opinion with other readers. Submit your comments to Modern Healthcare Online at [email protected]. Please be sure to include your hometown and state, along with your organization and title.