It comes as no surprise that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is favored more among Democrats than Republicans. However, perhaps the tides are changing, at least when it comes to federal funding.
The Morning Consult reports that come 2017, ACA funding will remain in tact in Senate’s funding the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Labor Department.
A GOP aide tells the Morning Consult, “We will fund all of the things we need to fund to try to keep it bipartisan.”
The word “bipartisan” is a scary word to some, especially former Presidential candidate Ted Cruz.
“There is no placating Ted Cruz. So why bother trying?” the GOP aide added. “He’s like the Queen in Alice in Wonderland. He expects us to believe in six impossible things before breakfast.” Cruz was actually persona non grata in the passing of this funding, as his input was all but ignored come decision time.
The HHS has been far from quiet about its support of the ACA. In March, the HHS announced a $94 million dollar incentive for the ACA in 271 health centers and 45 states with a focus on substance abuse treatment. In May, $260 million was put toward renovation of facilities for helping treat more patients.
The HHS sees the good in the Affordable Care Act, and slowly so does the GOP, despite Ted Cruz’s slighted suggestion that they are merely appropriators.
Regardless of the motive, the bipartisan stance is the first time since the House turned Republican majority that the Senate included the ACA in its funding agenda. It’s a pretty big move, one that’s bigger than the opinions of Ted Cruz.