House chairman skeptical of conservatives’ health care idea

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.