Congress Moves Budget Reconciliation Plans Forward

The American College of Radiology® (ACR®) is monitoring and reporting on the progress of budget reconciliation legislation that has potential to significantly impact patients and physicians alike. Congressional Republicans advanced budget resolutions in both the U.S. House and Senate, the first step toward enacting Trump administration priorities through the reconciliation process that bypasses Democratic opposition. House and Senate leaders, however, remain at odds over strategy. 

The Senate voted 52 to 48 Feb. 21, to adopt a budget that would permit $340 billion in new spending focused on boosting the military and border security funds. Senate Republicans paint it as a backup proposal because the GOP-led House struggled with its own more ambitious plan to enact trillions in tax and spending cuts while raising the nation’s debt ceiling. 

The House plan passed Feb. 25, calls for about $4.5 trillion in tax cuts, about $2 trillion in spending cuts, a $4 trillion debt-limit increase and $300 billion in additional funds for defense, border and immigration priorities. The resolution tasks a key committee with jurisdiction over the program to find $880 billion in funding cuts over a decade. The bulk of those cuts would likely come from Medicaid, the health insurance program for adults and children with limited income that is jointly funded by federal and state governments.  

Both the House and Senate will have to reconcile the differences between the two fiscal blueprints and agree to the same resolution before unlocking the budget reconciliation process and allowing committees of jurisdiction to begin drafting legislation, a far from settled debate. 

If you have questions or would like more information, contact Josh Cooper, ACR Vice President, Congressional Affairs, Government Relations.