OVERNIGHT HEALTH: Another delay

by Sam Baker and Elise Viebeck - 09/26/13 10:03 PM ET

Read The Hill’s coverage here.

About that ObamaCare ‘fix’: Republicans are trying to undo Congress’s ObamaCare “fix” with amendments to the continuing resolution. Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) attempted to bring up his measure Thursday, only to be blocked by Senate Democrats. But Rep. Dennis Ross (R-Fla.) could have better luck in the House — he introduced an amendment Thursday that could ultimately become part of the GOP’s list of demands for the CR.

{mosads}The measure would bar lawmakers and staff from retaining their longtime employer healthcare subsidy once they shift into ObamaCare’s new marketplaces. The Florida Republican and his allies argue that the subsidy represents a special Washington “exemption” from ObamaCare. Supporters of the subsidies say they are necessary to prevent a brain drain from Capitol Hill.

Read more about the fight at Healthwatch.

Off the table: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and the White House said unequivocally that repealing ObamaCare’s medical device tax is off the table in the government funding fight. Obama spokesman Jay Carney said “absolutely not” when asked about the possibility Thursday, and Reid spokesman Adam Jentleson said his boss thought the idea of repeal in either the shutdown or debt-ceiling fight is “stupid.” Republican senators had hoped to attach the repeal language, which has bipartisan support, to the continuing resolution.

Healthwatch has the details.

Click bait: Carney defended the White House’s “Adorable Care Act” social media effort, which uses pictures of baby animals to promote the launch of ObamaCare’s exchanges next week.

“Everybody loves cute animals,” Carney said.

Healthwatch has the story.

Manchin on the mandate: Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) broke with his party Thursday to support a delay in ObamaCare’s controversial individual mandate. According to a Bloomberg News report, Manchin said he would support attaching a one-year delay in the individual mandate to a bill temporarily funding the federal government.

“There’s no way I could not vote for it. It’s very reasonable and sensible,” Manchin said.

Find out more at Healthwatch.

State by state

Sebelius says Texas losing $79B by rejecting Medicaid expansion

Pennsylvania’s Corbett, Obama administration officials play nice at healthcare forum

Wisconsin’s BadgerCare to cut 92000

Lobbying registrations

Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz / Generic Pharmaceutical Association

Jeffrey J. Kimbell and Associates / MiMedx Group

Reading list

Will college students use ObamaCare insurance?

Explaining ObamaCare subsidies for the self-employed

Boomers face caregiver shortage as US offers new rules

What you might have missed on Healthwatch