Dems back off IPAB repeal – Bush officials, centrist leaders try to reclaim religious liberty – Exchange rule provides path for agents, brokers – GOP wonders about ACA subsidies

http://www.politico.com/politicopulse/0312/politicopulse699.html

DEMS FLEE IPAB BILL – Well, that didn’t take long. Just 72 hours after Republican leaders hinted they would pair repeal of the Independent Payment Advisory Board with medical malpractice reform, it’s no longer looking like IPAB repeal will be such a bipartisan affair. The IPAB bill has broad Democratic support; the med-mal bill … not so much. The joint legislative package is still a cinch to pass the GOP-controlled House, but on Monday, Democrats started to cry foul. “Typical right-wing overreach,” Rep. Barney Frank, one of the 20 Democrats to co-sponsor Rep. Phil Roe’s IPAB repeal bill, described it to POLITICO. It should be noted, however, that both bills have wide support among provider groups. Even so, the move sets up an interesting series of votes next week just as the nation turns its attention to the Affordable Care Act’s two-year anniversary. The POLITICO Pro story: http://politico.pro/xj6pkk

Happy Tuesday, and welcome to PULSE. We hope you had a fun Monday reading through the 644-page exchange rule. Got a favorite passage? I’d sure like to know. Email me at jmillman@politico.com to share your thoughts.

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