Trending News Today: Affordable Care Act Repeal Put on Backburner

Republicans may have given up on repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Although the GOP has the ability to repeal the ACA through a simple majority, there was no discussion of this plan at the recent Republican joint retreat in West Virginia, according to Politico. Sen Bill Cassidy (R-LA) said that he does not think GOP leaders want to approach health care reform, according to the article. Lawmakers may have difficulties passing a budget this year and the addition of an ACA Repeal might be too politically risky in an election year, according to Politico.

The government recently proposed a 1.84% increase in 2019 payments to Medicare Advantage insurers, according to The New York Times. The rate increase will affect premiums, benefits, and how much insurers can profit. This proposal also increases the plan offerings to include wheelchair ramps and devices that can reduce the burden of diseases, according to the article.

A new study shows that common bacteria may work together to accelerate the growth of colon cancer, further demonstrating how gut bacteria can alter the immune system, according to The New York Times. The researchers found that Bacteroides fragilis and a strain of E. coli can cause colon cancer or make precancerous cells become cancerous. This finding suggests that preventive strategies that look for these bacteria could increase the frequency of colon cancer screenings and may even lead to vaccination against the bacteria, according to the Times.