House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) is being asked by Republicans to consider a civil action lawsuit against the Obama administration to halt settlements for health insurers claiming millions in owed government funds, The Hill reports.
A letter written by Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah) and circulated among other representatives urges Speaker Ryan to sue to block the government from using an obscure Treasury Department fund to settle the $2.5 billion in legal settlements.
House Republicans argue the "bailout" would breach restrictions set in place by Congress to restrict the use of tax payer money from failing ACA insurers.
Last month HHS said it may offer a settlement to insurers suing the government over unpaid risk corridor payments using the obscure Treasury fund. However, the U.S. Department of Justice filed motions last week to dismiss two lawsuits filed by BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina and Moda Healthcare, seeking a combined $230 million in payments.
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