House FY 2018 budget plan clears committee

The House Budget Committee last night voted 22-14 to approve a budget plan for fiscal year 2018 that would balance the budget within 10 years. The plan incorporates the House-passed American Health Care Act, sets the non-defense discretionary spending level at $511 billion, and instructs the Ways and Means Committee to pursue legislation to achieve deficit-neutral tax reform and $52 billion in mandatory savings over 10 years. It also calls for the Energy and Commerce Committee to achieve $20 billion in mandatory savings over 10 years. In addition to AHCA coverage reforms, the plan proposes allowing private plans to compete with traditional Medicare; means testing of premiums in Medicare Parts B and D; personal digital advance care plans for Medicare beneficiaries; work requirements and cost-sharing standards for certain adults enrolled in Medicaid; and medical liability reforms.