GOP struggles to find replacement plan for health law

The Washington Post: For GOP, 'Repeal And Replace' Has Been Nothing But A Mantra On Health-Care Law
More than a year after Republicans first pledged to "repeal and replace" President Obama's new health-care law, the GOP is still struggling to answer a basic question. Replace it . . . with what? (Fahrenthold, 12/24).

Meanwhile, some news outlets are looking at the prospects of a long-term Medicare pay fix.

The Washington Post: Medicare 'Doc Fix' Debate In Congress Less Predictable This Year
On Friday, Congress passed the latest "doc fix," delaying a looming 27.4 percent cut for two months as part of a larger deal to extend the payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits. But doctors, lobbyists and Medicare officials alike said this go-around seemed noticeably less predictable (Aizenman, 12/27).

American Medical News: 27% Medicare Pay Cut To Return March 1 Unless Congress Makes New Deal
The threat of an across-the-board Medicare physician pay cut was defused with just over a week to spare, but the congressional agreement only maintains rates for an additional two months before Congress must act again to avoid a steep reduction (Glendinning, 12/27).

See earlier KHN coverage of the passage of a tax bill that included a two-month extension of Medicare reimbursement rates for doctors: 

House, Senate Pass Two-Month Extension Bill.

GOP Pauses 'Doc Fix' Fight, Averts 27 Percent Medicare Pay Cut.