Republican lawmakers may look at stabilizing the Obamacare markets this year rather than repealing the national healthcare law after attempts to do so last year failed.
The Hill reported Thursday that the practice of reinsurance may be used, which would involve the government giving health insurance companies the funds to help cover some patients' high medical bills. In theory, doing so would help lower monthly premiums for Americans who have nationalized healthcare.
Rep. Ryan Costello, R-Pa., is pushing for one reinsurance bill to be considered.
"That reflects the political reality that we are not going to be doing some large, sweeping healthcare bill in the next year," Costello told The Hill. "I am optimistic that it would be under serious consideration for inclusion in the omnibus."
The Hill noted that Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, received a commitment from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to support a Senate bill that details reinsurance in exchange for her voting yes on the GOP's tax bill in December.
And yet another measure introduced by Sens. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., and Patty Murray, D-Wash., would employ cost-sharing reductions that would reimburse insurance companies who provide premium discounts to low-income Americans. Trump reportedly supports this plan.
Republicans have tried for years to repeal and replace Obamacare, but efforts under former President Barack Obama fell short each time. Last year under Republican President Donald Trump, the GOP was unable to come to an agreement on how to fix the nation's healthcare system amid rising premiums and insurance companies exiting federal and state exchanges.
The last attempt at repealing Obamacare occurred last September, but McConnell decided not to hold a vote on the measure because it lacked the support to pass.
The GOP's tax bill, which Trump signed into law in December, repealed the federal mandate that every American must have health insurance or face a penalty.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.