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House Democrats are transferring forward with one other spherical of COVID-19 aid, together with further funding for state Medicaid applications, an open enrollment interval for the Affordable Care Act’s market plans, and cash to pay premiums for newly unemployed Americans to proceed on their employer well being protection. Republicans, nevertheless, say the Democrats’ invoice goes too far.
Meanwhile, the outbreak of the virus within the White House advanced — together with a high aide to Vice President Mike Pence ― has difficult the Trump administration’s efforts to press for a broader opening of the financial system even whereas the sickness continues to unfold.
This week’s panelists are Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Joanne Kenen of Politico and Rebecca Adams of CQ Roll Call.
Among the takeaways from this week’s podcast:
The House Democrats’ latest COVID aid invoice would double what the federal authorities has already spent on the disaster. Some congressional Republicans are getting nervous in regards to the spending, however strain from Americans out of labor and state and native leaders is anticipated to assist push one other stimulus package deal alongside. An uncommon provision within the Democrats’ invoice would have the federal authorities decide up the prices of employer-sponsored insurance coverage for employees who misplaced their jobs due to the COVID pandemic. Such a transfer has been favored by non-public insurance coverage firms, who fear that a big migration of unemployed individuals to Medicaid or the ACA market plans may undermine the office insurance coverage market. Businesses serious about reopening don’t have good tips on what they will do to maintain their employees and clients secure. A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hasn’t been formally launched but, and recommendation from some commerce teams might not be dependable or based mostly on good science. The sparks this week between President Donald Trump and Dr. Anthony Fauci, the NIH’s high infectious illness authority, underscore the stress about reopening the financial system. The president is urgent for all times to get again to regular, however public well being officers are apprehensive that many locations are opening too quickly or with out wanted precautions. Despite long-standing opposition to the ACA, a number of distinguished Republicans in current weeks, together with Sen. John Cornyn and Rep. Kevin Brady, each of Texas, are telling constituents who’ve misplaced their jobs because the coronavirus outbreak that they will qualify for ACA market plans. The ACA’s attain seems poised for an enormous growth subsequent yr if unemployment stays excessive. Many individuals out of labor might qualify for Medicaid protection in states which have expanded their applications beneath the ACA and others could look to purchase plans on the marketplaces. Guaranteeing these choices could play into some fall political campaigns.
Plus, for additional credit score, the panelists advocate their favourite well being coverage tales of the week they assume it’s best to learn too:
Julie Rovner: The Viral Art Project
Rebecca Adams: CQ Roll Call’s “Dental Offices Hardest Hit in Health Care Industry Layoffs,” by Mary Ellen McIntire and Michael Macagnone
Joanne Kenen: The New Yorker’s “The Engineers Taking on the Ventilator Shortage,” by James Somers
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