House chairman skeptical of conservatives' health care idea

Alan Fram

FILE - In this March 24, 2017, file photo, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., center, one of the stewards of the Republican healthcare legislation, walks through Statuary Hall after leaving the Capitol Hill office of House Speaker Paul Ryan in Washington, D.C. The television and digital ads, unveiled earlier this week, pressure Republicans to a back a revised version of the GOP health care bill that Speaker Paul Ryan abruptly withdrew last month because it lacked the votes. The ads will air in some districts including that of Walden, who was instrumental in pushing for the original health care bill through his panel. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

April 13, 2017 - 3:22 PM

BEND, Ore. - A House committee chairman who's a leading author of the mired Republican health care bill says he's skeptical about proposals the Trump administration and conservative lawmakers have discussed aimed at breathing life into the legislation.

The White House and leaders of the conservative House Freedom Caucus have discussed letting states seek federal waivers to insurance requirements imposed by President Barack Obama's health care law. These have included waiving that statute's ban against insurers charging seriously ill customers higher premiums than healthy people.

Oregon Republican congressman Greg Walden says in an interview with The Associated Press that he'd have to be convinced the suggested changes won't take coverage away from people.

Conservatives say eliminating the requirement would help keep premiums lower.

Walden chairs the House Energy and Commerce panel.

News from © The Associated Press, 2017

The Associated Press

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