Ilisa weighed in on the GOP's delayed vote on a resolution that would defund the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Body: Ilisa Halpern Paul, Managing Government Relations Director in the Washington, D.C., office, was quoted in a recent Modern Healthcare article, titled, "GOP Leaders Delay Vote on Government Operations Resolution." The article discusses the GOP's delayed vote on a resolution that would continue funding government operations, but specifically would defund the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, after the current federal fiscal year ends on September 30.
House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers introduced a continuing resolution that would extend funding for government agencies, programs and services through December 15 at an annual rate that is slightly below the current, post-sequestration level. A resolution is needed to prevent a government shut down on October 1.
The intense opposition of the Affordable Care Act among a large group of House Republicans is complicating the path of the funding measure. If that plan fails, House Republicans could directly eliminate reform funding in the spending bill and force a showdown with the White House and Democratic leaders in the Senate.
Previously, GOP members in Congress threatened a government shutdown when they indicated they would not approve legislation to continue funding government operations unless the spending measure defunded the Affordable Care Act.
"The thing about continuing resolutions is they're becoming regular order," Ilisa said.
She continued, "What frustrates advocates is when we had regular order–and 12 appropriations bills–it was a chance for Congress to review all programs and make very targeted decisions about scope and investments, and now we don't have that opportunity."
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
