 Health Care |
Health Care |
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Centrist Dem group plots path ahead on health |
Potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidates have only just started initial jockeying to position themselves for a primary fight. On healthcare, the centrist Democratic group Third Way wants to ensure the party moves beyond Medicare-for-All. |
The organization, which has long opposed single payer ideas, is pitching a Health Care Bill of Rights that would guarantee affordability and transparency for patients.
Shared first with The Hill, the plan includes capping premiums and drug costs for all types of insurance; ending medical debt; creating a health dividend account; banning low-cost, low-coverage insurance plans and establishing minimum federal coverage standards; and banning surprise medical bills.
"Thankfully, the Affordable Care Act is here to stay. That signature law provides a strong foundation to build on, which presents an extraordinary opportunity for Democrats to unite behind an effort that speaks to what the public wants to see—and that is not chock full of high costs like single payer," the group wrote in the plan.
Some of the ideas have previously received bipartisan support, such as expanding site-neutral payment policies to curb hospital overbilling practices.
A Third Way spokesperson said they are putting out their plan now to offer Democrats a path forward once the fight over the ACA enhanced tax credits is over. Those tax credits expired at the end of last year, and the odds are slim that the GOP congressional majority will revive and extend them.
While the tax credits will likely be a key part of the midterm election strategy, Democrats haven't yet signaled what comes next.
"Once the ACA tax credit fight is resolved, there's a real question about what Democrats are fighting for long term. In moments like that, familiar single-payer arguments tend to resurface. We think it's important to put a clear, affirmative alternative on the table now," the spokesperson said.
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Welcome to The Hill's Health Care newsletter, we're Nathaniel Weixel and Joseph Choi — every week we follow the latest moves on how Washington impacts your health. |
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| How policy will be impacting the health care sector this week and beyond: |
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The timeline is slipping for a bipartisan group of senators to release a compromise to revive the expired enhanced ObamaCare subsidies, according to one of the lead negotiators. Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) told reporters Tuesday that lawmakers are looking at a deadline of the end of January to have a legislative framework ready. Moreno had previously said lawmakers would have text of a … |
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Preliminary numbers on Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace plan enrollment shows a noticeable drop when compared to last year’s figures, an early indication that allowing the enhanced premium tax subsidies to expire caused people to defer signing up for health insurance. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reported on Monday that 22.8 million consumers had signed up for 2026 individual market health … |
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Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) on Monday released the findings of his investigation into UnitedHealth Group’s (UHG) Medicare Advantage billing practices, alleging the health insurer used “aggressive strategies” to maximize risk adjustment scores and worked against federal efforts to tamp down overspending. Last year, Grassley launched an investigation into UHG’s billing practices after The Wall Street … |
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Upcoming news themes and events we're watching: |
- The Senate HELP Committee will hold a hearing Wednesday on the abortion pill mifepristone
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Branch out with a different read: |
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Cruise ship out of Florida hit by norovirus outbreak; 94 affected |
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A cruise ship that departed Florida has been hit by a norovirus outbreak, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC reported that 94 people fell ill on the Holland America Line cruise ship Rotterdam during its voyage between Dec. 28, 2025, and Jan. 9. Those affected by the norovirus outbreak showed the typical symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea. The virus, which is highly … |
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Local and state headlines on health care: |
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Health news we've flagged from other outlets: |
- A new milestone in the cancer fight: 7 in 10 patients now survive five-plus years (NBC)
- HHS dismisses member of vaccine injury advisory panel (Stat)
- New RFK Jr. pick for vaccine panel: 'I was not anti-vaccine. I am now.' (Washington Post)
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You're all caught up. See you tomorrow! |
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