Trending News Today: Challenges Remain to Pass AHCA in Senate

Last week, the California Assembly and State budget committees approved the use of funds to cover undocumented young adults under Medicaid. The funding for this measure would be generated from the state’s newly-passed tobacco tax and would cover up to 80,000 young adults, according to California Healthline. Before the issue is presented to California Gov Jerry Brown, the legislative committees must agree on how much should be allotted to the program for these individuals.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) faces significant challenges in passing the American Health Care Act. Among GOP Senators, Medicaid funding has caused a significant divide between moderates and conservatives. While conservatives are eager to cut costs, other lawmakers worry that this could raise premiums and increase the uninsured rates, The New York Times reported. Without any Democratic votes, there are only 3 Republican votes to spare, making widespread GOP approval critical to the bill’s passage, according to the Times.

Recently, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced plans to allow insurers and brokers to handle the enrollment of Affordable Care Act plans entirely online. However, consumer advocates are concerned that individuals will not have the most comprehensive and impartial information to decide which plan to enroll in, according to Kaiser Health News. The CMS expects this change to streamline enrollment and benefit patients, but others worry that customers may not be shown the best deal for their needs.