Lawmakers emerging from a meeting late Wednesday of the conservative Freedom Caucus said "essential health benefits" are in play as party leaders and the White House explore ways to advance the bill. But the Obama-era health care law set a minimum floor for the whole nation. In a letter to congressional leaders early this year, organizations representing nearly 400,000 doctors said "all health insurance products should be required to cover evidence-based essential benefits" in any new health care legislation. Some White House officials have also acknowledged privately that essential health benefits are among the list of potential changes under discussion. "I'm afraid if they get rid of the essential benefits, you'll have meaningless insurance.

Source: ABC News March 23, 2017 07:52 UTC