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U.S. NEWS Friday 17 February 2017
GOP leaders unveil new health law outline, divisions remain

ALAN FRAM own proposal in the com-
Associated Press ing weeks, but nothing had
WASHINGTON (AP) — Top been produced, drawing
House Republicans un- mockery from Democrats.
veiled a rough sketch of “At some point we need
a massive health care to move from imaginary
overhaul to rank-and-file made-up plans to things
lawmakers Thursday, but that you can read on pa-
a lack of detail, cost esti- per,” said Sen. Mark War-
mates and GOP unity left ner, D-Va.
unresolved the problem The health care outline
that’s plagued them for was aimed at giving Re-
years: What’s the party’s publicans something to
plan and can Congress exhibit during next week’s
pass it? congressional recess, at a
At a closed-door meet- time of boisterous town hall
ing in the Capitol base- meetings packed with sup-
ment, House Speaker Paul porters of Obama’s law.
Ryan, R-Wis., and other Ryan told reporters that Re-
party leaders described publicans would introduce
a broad vision for voiding legislation voiding and re-
much of President Barack placing Obama’s statute
Obama’s 2010 statute and after Congress returns in
replacing it with conser- late February, but offered
vative policies. It features no specifics. House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis., joined by House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of La., right, and
Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., departs a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington.
a revamped Medicaid Many Republicans took an (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
program for the poor, tax upbeat tone after Thurs-
breaks to help people pay day’s meeting, with Rep.
doctors’ bills and feder- Peter King, R-N.Y., saying,
ally subsidized state pools “We’re only 27 days into
to assist those with costly the new administration, so
medical conditions in buy- we have time.”
ing insurance. But they have repeatedly
Lawmakers called the failed for seven years to ral-
ideas options, and many ly behind a substitute plan,
were controversial. and there are no guaran-
One being pushed by Ryan tees of success in replac-
and other leaders would ing a law that has extend-
replace the tax increas- ed coverage to 20 million
es in Obama’s law with Americans.
new levies on the value of “We’re not going to get
some employer-provided out of this overnight,” Rep.
health plans — a political Bill Huizenga, R-Mich., said
no-fly zone for Republicans of the overall effort.
averse to tax boosts. There are sure clashes
“You have to legislate with ahead this time over cru-
a sense of political reality,” cial specifics that could
said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Ok- jeopardize the entire effort.
la., who said backing that And lawmakers said they
proposal “would set up an were awaiting official cost
ad against you from mul- estimates from the nonpar-
tiple directions” during up- tisan Congressional Budget
coming elections. Office,
The scant health care prog- which could ignite other
ress mirrors a lack of move- battles if the price tag is
ment on other issues in a disconcertingly high.
capital run by the GOP. No Obama’s law levied $1.1
proposals have surfaced trillion in taxes over a de-
to pursue President Donald cade to finance its expand-
Trump’s campaign prom- ed coverage to millions.
ises to build a border wall GOP leaders said some or
with Mexico or buttress the all of those taxes could be
nation’s infrastructure, and repealed, with the revenue
Republicans have yet to replaced by a new tax on
coalesce around another health care that employ-
priority, revamping the na- ees receive at work.
tion’s tax code. Two people familiar with
Senate Republicans have the proposal said individu-
criticized a House GOP als would pay taxes on the
plan to change how cor- value of such coverage
porations are taxed. Trump above $12,000, and above
has said he will release his $30,000 for families.q