Senate Eyes Delaying Key Medicaid Cut

“Senate Republicans are considering delaying a politically explosive Medicaid cut as they look for ways to win over GOP moderate holdouts threatening the massive reconciliation bill,” Punchbowl News reports.

“The discussions come as Senate Republican leaders are trying to ratchet up the pressure on wavering GOP senators to fall in line and meet their self-imposed July 4 deadline for sending a bill to President Donald Trump’s desk.”

“Several Republican senators are quietly pitching their leadership on delaying the implementation timeline of the Senate’s stricter crackdown on Medicaid provider taxes. Paired with a stabilization fund for rural hospitals, this could help win over enough of the half-dozen or so wavering senators.”

“To be sure, Senate GOP leaders have a ton working against them right now beyond Medicaid problems. For one, the ‘Byrd Bath’ for key portions of the reconciliation bill isn’t finished yet. And Republican senators demanding additional changes have said they won’t vote to begin the floor process until they see final legislative text.”