Senators pitch deal to restore health subsidies

Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) reached a deal Tuesday to resume federal payments to health insurers that President Donald Trump blocked. Insurers had warned unless the money was quickly restored, premiums would go up. The agreement would extend the payments for two years, Alexander said. In brief comments at the White House, Trump said he supported the idea: “It is a short-term solution so we don’t have this very dangerous little period.” Alexander and Murray still need to garner the support of fellow Republicans and Democrats. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., was noncommittal, while Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., welcomed the agreement as a step forward that could provide stability for insurance markets in the short term.