Health Care — Insurers’ time in the barrel?

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View Online Health Care Health Care The Big Story  Insurers' time in the barrel?  House Republicans are summoning health insurers to Capitol Hill later this month to talk about health care affordability.   © Photo credit The move comes weeks after the enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies expired on Dec. 31, resulting in significant out-of-pocket cost increases for tens of millions of low- and middle-income Americans on ACA plans.     Democrats have been hammering Republicans on the subsidies and argue their expiration shows the party does not care about affordability for the average American.      Republicans in the House and Senate haven't been able to coalesce around a single legislative solution to rising costs, and remain divided about the need to resurrect and extend the expired subsidies.   Cost-of-living and overall affordability rank among the top concerns of voters, and lawmakers are offering a preview of how 2026 will unfold ahead of the midterm elections in November — with each side blaming the other.    Republicans say ObamaCare is a failing law that has done nothing to bring down health costs. They have gathered around a message blaming insurance companies for skyrocketing premiums. President Trump said he plans to meet with insurance executives to pressure them into lowering costs, like what he's done with drug companies— though experts have said the health insurance industry doesn't work the same way as pharmaceuticals.    Energy and Commerce Chair Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) and Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith (R-Mo.) said the hearings on Jan. 22 will be an opportunity to focus on health care affordability for people with employer-sponsored insurance, "not just the seven percent of Americans who obtain their health insurance through ObamaCare."    They invited five insurance executives to testify, including the CEOs of UnitedHealth Group and CVS Health Group, which owns Aetna. It's not clear if there will be new policy movement following the hearings or if it will merely be an opportunity to cast blame ahead of the campaign season.   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. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads  How policy will be impacting the health care sector this week and beyond: Anti-abortion groups pressure Trump, GOP leaders on ACA Hyde 'flexibility' A coalition of leading anti-abortion groups on Friday urged President Trump along with House and Senate Republican leaders to hold firm in demanding strict protections against ObamaCare subsidies being used to pay for abortion.  The letter from Americans United for Life, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, Students for Life of America and others comes just days after Trump told Republicans to be "flexible" in their demands for …  Full Story Kennedy shares fake 'South Park' clip promoting inverted food pyramid Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. shared an edited clip from the animated comedy series “South Park” on Wednesday that facetiously “flipped” the food pyramid as he debuted his upside-down food pyramid featuring updated dietary guidelines. On the social platform X, Kennedy shared a clip in which an animated version of himself is inserted into a 2014 South Park” episode. In …  Full Story Johnson & Johnson announces drug pricing deal with Trump administration Johnson & Johnson said late Thursday it will lower prices for certain prescription drugs and match the rates in other countries, becoming the latest pharmaceutical company to strike a deal with the Trump administration in exchange for tariff relief.  The New Jersey-based health conglomerate was one of the 17 companies President Trump called out last summer to lower drug prices as part of his administration's "most favored …  Full Story In Other News  Branch out with a different read: House GOP summons health insurance executives for hearing on affordability House Republicans on Thursday said they are summoning top health insurance executives to testify later this month as part of a series of hearings about health care affordability.  The move from the leaders of the House Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means committees comes weeks after the enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies expired on Dec. 31, resulting in significant out-of-pocket cost increases for tens of millions … Full Story Around the Nation  Local and state headlines on health care: Maryland governor floats idea of state making vaccine recs (WYPR)  New Hampshire lawmakers approve two abortion-related bills in first week of 2026 session (New Hampshire Bulletin)  Nevada starts experimental public option health plans to lower costs (Reno Gazette Journal)  What We're Reading  Health news we've flagged from other outlets: Dr. Oz claims there's no data to support reducing alcohol consumption. That's not true (Vox)  A college student fights an insurance denial to get a prosthetic foot before graduation (NBC)  When it comes to vaccine schedules, the U.S. is now the outlier (Stat)  What People Think  Opinions related to health submitted to The Hill: Kennedy and Oz got it right about diet and alcohol Excellence in Mental Health Act will increase access for everyone   You're all caught up. See you tomorrow!  Check out The Hill's Health Care page for the latest coverage. Like this newsletter? Take a moment to view our other topical products here 📩 Privacy Policy  |  Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe  400 N Capitol Street NW Suite 650, Washington, DC 20001 Copyright © 1998 - 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved.

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