Please decipher/translate for those of us whose eyes are crossing after a long day of work.
Many thanks!!
Sure, Jane.
How I understand it is, the AHCA had to include provisions that Congress could exempt themselves from mandate waivers sought by their own states in order to comply with the Byrd rule and retain reconciliation 51-vote rule privilege. As soon as the AHCA passed under the 51-vote rule, HR2192 went back in and slam, bang, eliminated that exemption. No more special treatment - they get what we get.
(paragraphs intentionally broken:)
“Background:
Under the American Health Care Act, states may apply for waivers from the Affordable Care Act’s mandates on essential health benefits, age rating, and community rating.
The MacArthur Amendment, which included these provisions, exempted Members of Congress and congressional staff in order to comply with the U.S. Senate’s procedural instructions and the Byrd rule.
Without such an exemption, the bill’s privileged status under the reconciliation process that only requires a 51-vote threshold in the Senate could have been jeopardized.
H.R. 2192 fixes this problem and ensures that any changes made to the health care law apply to Members of Congress and their staffs.”