SURPRISE, SURPRISE — In a string of national TV interviews, GOP vice presidential contender Sen. JD Vance has answered questions about how a Trump-Vance administration would approach abortion pills, the child tax credit and past comments about “childless cat ladies” with responses about ending surprise medical bills. “We’ve also proposed legislation … to end this practice of parents getting these surprise medical bills where they go to the hospital, they have a baby, they choose an out-of-network provider and they come home with unexpected bills,” Vance told CBS’ Margaret Brennan after being asked about the child tax credit. “I’ve actually sponsored legislation to end that practice. So, we have a whole host of pro-family policies that are out there.” Blindsided: Surprise medical bills come when insured patients unintentionally get care from out-of-network providers they didn’t choose. Congress added new protections against the bills, which went into effect in 2022. It doesn’t appear Vance was talking about those. Instead, he may have been referencing legislation he proposed last year with three other Republicans to expand a 1993 law allowing employees to take leave for medical and family reasons with continued health care coverage. The Vance measure would bar employers from reclaiming health care premiums from employees who don’t return after taking leave following the birth of a child. “This legislation would relieve a serious financial burden for working families all over America and steer Washington in a more pro-family direction,” Vance said in a release last year about the bill, which hasn’t seen action and is unlikely to become law unless Democrats get on board. Zooming out: Vance’s rhetorical pivot aims to shift the focus away from issues where the GOP ticket is vulnerable, abortion and the child tax credit, to an idea that might resonate: Ending surprise bills — whatever the definition — is politically popular. Vance’s office and campaign declined to comment for this story. In related news: The Washington Post reported last month that Vance worked with Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) on legislation that would bar insurers from charging mothers for copays or other costs tied to childbirth but stopped talks as he became closer to being named former President Donald Trump’s running mate. A person familiar with the discussions granted anonymity to freely discuss the negotiations confirmed The Post’s characterization of the situation to Pulse. Vance’s office said the legislation could still be introduced and get across the finish line. “Our team thoroughly reviews all legislative proposals before they’re introduced,” his office said in a statement to The Post. “This is standard practice." WELCOME TO WEDNESDAY PULSE. The federal government is weighing how much cheese is too much for its guidance. We’d argue there is no limit. Send your tips, scoops and feedback to bleonard@politico.com and ccirruzzo@politico.com and follow along @_BenLeonard_ and @ChelseaCirruzzo.
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