WASHINGTON (AP) – Scrambling to nail down votes for the House health care bill, Republicans are considering ways to ease federal requirements that insurers cover such basic services as prescription drugs, maternity care and substance abuse treatment.
Lawmakers emerging from a meeting late Wednesday of the conservative Freedom Caucus said “essential health benefits” are in play as party leaders and the White House explore ways to advance the House legislation. But undermining the Affordable Care Act’s benefits is likely to trigger a backlash from patient groups and doctors.
It’s also a tricky proposition for Republican lawmakers, because Democrats are certain to challenge any such move as out-of-bounds under special budget rules that would allow the GOP health bill to clear the Senate with just 51 votes. Until now, the ACA’s benefit requirement had not been considered a budgetary issue.
Traditionally, states have regulated the benefits that health insurers offering plans to individual consumers must provide. But the Obama-era health care law set a minimum floor for the whole nation.
The ACA’s “essential benefits” include outpatient care, emergency services, hospitalization, pregnancy, maternity and newborn care, mental health and substance abuse treatment, prescription drugs, rehabilitation, laboratory and diagnostic tests, preventive and wellness services, and pediatric care, including dental and vision services for kids.