OVERNIGHT HEALTH: No more shutdowns over ObamaCare, McConnell vows

by Sam Baker and Elise Viebeck - 10/17/13 10:45 PM ET

McConnell acknowledged that as much as Republicans dislike the Affordable Care Act, it’s not going anywhere unless there’s a Republican president and a Republican majority in the Senate.

Read more from The Hill’s interview with McConnell.

But what about Cruz? Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) wouldn’t rule out another government shutdown Thursday as a tactic to thwart ObamaCare. “I would do anything, and I will continue to do anything to stop the train wreck that is ObamaCare,” he said in an interview with ABC News.

Obama displeased: President Obama isn’t happy with the rollout of his signature healthcare law. That’s not much of a surprise — the launch of healthcare.gov has gone poorly by pretty much any measure. But the White House had largely avoided discussing the site’s problems until this week. Obama acknowledged in a TV interview earlier this week that the healthcare site “has had way more glitches than I think are acceptable,” and White House press secretary Jay Carney told reporters Thursday that Obama is “not happy” with the rollout.

{mosads}”The accountability the president seeks today is the accountability that comes from those who are working on implementation,” Carney said.

The Hill has more.

Passing the hat: Tea Party groups sought to raise money Thursday after their demands were virtually ignored in the deal to fund the government and avoid default. The Tea Party Patriots were particularly hard on Republicans, arguing that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky). “refused to hold the line and fight ObamaCare.”

“This betrayal must not go unanswered!” the group wrote in an email to supporters.

Healthwatch has more from the emails.

Unable to attend: Officials from the Health and Human Services Department have “rebuffed” requests to testify before Congress about ObamaCare’s troubled rollout, a House committee said Thursday. Republicans on the Energy and Commerce Committee said they have scheduled an Oct. 28 hearing about the problems that have plagued the launch of healthcare.gov — the main portal for consumers in 36 states to sign up for insurance under ObamaCare. But committee Republicans complained Thursday that HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is unable to attend the hearing.

Healtwatch has the details.

Dems offer ‘fix’: Five Senate Democrats are sponsoring a bill that tries to fix what they call an oversight in how Native Americans and Alaskan Natives are treated under ObamaCare. The Affordable Care Act contains a number of special provisions for Native Americans, including an exemption from the requirement that all Americans obtain health insurance, known as the individual mandate. The lawmakers are concerned, however, that the current law contains multiple definitions of “Indian,” which can lead to inconsistent benefits.

The Hill’s RegWatch blog has the story.

Not going anywhere: Embattled Heath and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius will not resign over glitches in the ObamaCare website despite Republican calls for her to be fired, says the Cabinet member’s brother. Donald Gilligan told told The New York Times that “the fact that people are calling for her head does not surprise her or alarm her particularly.”

“I don’t think you resign in the middle of a fight,” he said.

Read more at Healthwatch.

State by state

After saying no to Medicaid expansion, Florida may ask for more money

N.Y. to hear Bloomberg’s appeal to restore soda ban

Few Alaskans manage to sign up for ObamaCare

Lobbying registrations

Policy Directions / Entera Health

The Conafay Group / Colorado State University

The McManus Group / Gilead Sciences

Reading list

Exchange navigators challenged by glitches, frustrated customers [free registration requried]