Speaker Paul Ryan Says He Is “Not Part of ObamaCare Deal”

Speaker Paul Ryan’s office said on Monday that the speaker had no part in crafting the ObamaCare deal.

This uncertainty further questions the future of the bills as they were already opposed by House Conservatives.

Ryan’s office said in detail that was not opposed to the bipartisan deal and that the bills might pass the House by the end of the year.

Most Republicans are supporting the bills including Senator Susan Collins from Maine.

The Hill states that one of the measures in question, from Senate Health Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander and ranking Democrat member Patty Murray, would fund key ObamaCare payments to insurers for two years. This would be in exchange for additional flexibility for states to change ObamaCare rules.

The other bill, from Collins and Democrat Sen. Bill Nelson would provide funding known as “reinsurance”. It would helps pay for the costs of sick ObamaCare enrollees with the hope of bringing down premiums.

Collins hopes that the deal’s two bills would make up for the premium increases caused by the repeal of the ObamaCare individual mandate in the tax bill. The repeal of the mandate has been included in both the House and Senate versions of the tax bill that is headed towards reconciliation. It is expected that the tax bill will reach the President’s desk by Christmas.

Ryan was asked at a press conference on Tuesday if he opposes the deal and whether he still thinks repeal and replacement of ObamaCare is the best path.

“Well of course I think that’s the best way we can go, but we’re going to have continued discussions with our members here in the House and across the aisle about the best way forward,” Ryan said. “We think health care is deteriorating. We think premiums are going up through the roof, insurers are pulling out and that’s not a status quo we can live with.”