House GOP considers adding health measures to funding bill

by Peter Sullivan - 01/16/18 12:59 PM ET

House Republicans are considering adding a six-year extension of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), as well as delays of certain ObamaCare taxes, to a short-term government funding bill this week, sources say.

The six-year extension of CHIP would help put to rest a months-long delay in renewing the funding for that program, which has been caught up in a partisan dispute over how to pay for it. There was a breakthrough last week when the Congressional Budget Office revised down the cost so that a six-year extension would essentially cost nothing.

A GOP aide on the House Energy and Commerce Committee said Tuesday they are “feeling good that CHIP gets done this week.” {mosads}

The package could also include delays of ObamaCare taxes, according to lobbyists following the negotiations. While the situation is in flux, the current thinking is to include a five-year delay of the medical device tax and either one- or two-year delays of the health insurance tax and “Cadillac” tax on high-cost health plans.

Industry is pushing for two year delays, though one year could be more likely.

However, how any funding package will work out is up in the air given a showdown over immigration. It is unclear what deal can get 218 votes. House Republicans will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Scott Wong contributed.

Tags Children's Health Insurance Program CHIP government funding bill Government shutdown Health Healthcare