GOP plans for reacting to Supreme Court ruling on health law

Congressional Republicans have yet to unite behind any of the growing number of proposals for responding to a Supreme Court ruling that could void federal subsidies that millions of people use to buy coverage under President Barack Obama's health care law. The decision is expected by June. Those proposing plans include: - Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, John Barrasso, R-Wyo., and Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn.: Provide temporary financial assistance to people losing subsidies. Give states more flexibility to design requirements for insurance coverage. Not yet introduced, no details. - Reps. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., Fred Upton, R-Mich., John Kline, R-Minn.: Tax credits for people who lose subsidies, growing in size for older people. Full credit would be paid to people not owing taxes. States could ignore health care law's requirements that plans cover certain basic services. Not yet introduced, no details. - Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis.: Allow people losing health policies or subsidies due to the court ruling to keep them until August 2017. Eliminate requirements that individuals buy coverage and that companies offer coverage to workers. Introduced April 20; 31 co-sponsors include Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and other members of Senate GOP leadership. - Sen Ben Sasse, R-Neb.: People losing coverage from court ruling could keep it for 18 months. People losing subsidies could get health care tax credits that would gradually shrink, disappearing after 18 months. Introduced March 4, no co-sponsors. - Rep. Bill Flores, R-Texas, and members of the Republican Study Committee, a group of conservative lawmakers: Expected to repeal entire health overhaul law, create new tax deductions for families and many businesses, expand health savings accounts. Not introduced, no details. Published: Fri, May 01, 2015