The House Republicans conducted an investigation that claims the Obama administration made Affordable Care Act payments without receiving proper authorization, according to The Hill.
Here are six highlights:
1. The investigation found the administration made illegal payments through its ACA "cost sharing reduction" payments to health insurers. House Republicans say the payments are unconstitutional as the administration did not have the necessary congressional appropriation.
2. Democrats counter the investigation carries no weight as Republicans are pursuing any and all avenues to take down the ACA. Reps. Sandy Levin (D-Mich.) and Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.) argued, "House Republicans are not conducting meaningful oversight, but are instead taking every opportunity to undermine the law and root for its failure."
3. Republican members argue the administration was aware it did not have the proper authority to make these payments to payers, and the Republicans' report cited a 2012 memo from Treasury Department to the White House Office of Management and Budget which said, "There is currently no appropriation to Treasury or to anyone else, for purposes of the cost-sharing payments."
4. In the report, Republicans claim the Obama administration filed a request to Congress for the program in 2013, but a HHS official withdrew the request in a phone call with a Senate Appropriations Committee staff director.
5. In May, U.S. District Judge Rosemary Collyer of the District ruled various ACA payments have been funded illegally. U.S. District Judge Rosemary Collyer of the District ruled various ACA payments have been funded illegally. Judge Collyer put her rule on hold pending the Obama administration's appeal.
6. At the hearing on July 7, Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady (R-Texas) implored HHS, Treasury Department, IRS and OMB officials to comply with issued subpoenas, but the officials did not agree to pledge their compliance. Rather, the officials said discussions between staffs are ongoing and the Obama administration is cooperating with HHS.
More articles on coding & billing:
Following $90M losses, Illinois regulator signs order to prevent co-op from paying government: 6 things to know
CMS proposes 1.2% ASC payment increase in 2017: 9 key points
Federal judge rules parts of ACA are 'illegal' — 8 highlights