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Republicans could try again to repeal Obamacare if they win enough seats in U.S. elections next month, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said on Wednesday, calling a failed 2017 push to repeal the healthcare law a "disappointment." In a forecast of 2019 policy goals tempered by uncertainty about who would win the congressional elections, McConnell blamed social programs, such as Social Security and Medicare, for the fast-rising national debt. (Morgan, 10/17)

“If we had the votes to completely start over, we’d do it. But that depends on what happens in a couple weeks. . . . We’re not satisfied with the way Obamacare is working,” McConnell said. Republicans are optimistic about their chances of maintaining control of the Senate next month, while polls suggest that a Democratic takeover of the House is increasingly likely. (Sonmez, 10/17)

While the House passed legislation last May that would repeal key parts of former President Obama's signature health-care law, Senate Republicans could not muster the votes needed to pass any of their plans. A last-ditch effort to pass a scaled-down repeal bill out of the Senate failed in July 2017 when the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) cast the deciding vote against it. (Hellmann, 10/17)

The Trump administration plans to pursue regulatory changes in the next year that could affect health care insurance exchanges, patient privacy, Medicaid coverage and food labeling. The “unified agenda” published by the Office of Management and Budget Wednesday included 188 Health and Human Services Department rules that are administration priorities. Most are in the early stages of rulemaking, which involves soliciting public comments on initial proposals. But some are in the final stages and could be released soon. (Siddons, Clason and Williams, 10/17)