Showdown over ObamaCare subpoenas quickly escalating

House Republicans and the Obama administration are clashing over subpoenas for ObamaCare documents.

Republicans are upping the pressure on the administration, saying officials are withholding documents that Congress has every right to see.

At issue are two separate portions of ObamaCare. One is the Basic Health Program, which states can choose to implement and is aimed at providing choices for low-income people with slightly too much income to qualify for Medicaid. The other is the law’s “cost-sharing reductions,” which are payments that help lower out-of pocket-costs for low-income ObamaCare enrollees.

Republicans argue that both initiatives are being illegally funded without a congressional appropriation. In a case brought by House Republicans, a federal judge ruled last month that the administration does not have the authority to pay out the cost sharing reductions, though the decision will be appealed.

The administration says that it has authority to fund both programs under a permanent appropriation given for the law’s tax credits.

Democrats say the Republican lawsuit renders the subpoenas unnecessary and argue the investigations are solely for political gain.

Reps. Sandy Levin (D-Mich.) and Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.), the top Democrats on the two committees, have called the subpoenas part of a “witch hunt” against ObamaCare.

“These subpoenas are merely part of a larger pattern of wasting taxpayer time and money on undermining the [Affordable Care Act],” they said when the subpoenas were issued.

Republicans counter that there is no lawsuit over the Basic Health Program and say the administration has been just as resistant to provide information on that. They also complain that the documents provided by the administration have been heavily redacted.

The administration has held firm on not providing some of the documents.

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