THE HILL: Cruz plan could be key to unlocking healthcare votes.

The Texas Republican is pushing for a provision that would allow insurers to sell plans that do not comply with ObamaCare insurance regulations, so long as they also sell plans that comply with those rules. Cruz says giving insurers a path around the regulations should allow them to offer some plans at a lower cost.

It’s unclear whether the amendment will be added to the Senate bill, known as the Better Care Reconciliation Act, or even whether it will pass muster under budgetary rules.

But the amendment could be the key to ensuring that the legislation passes both the House and the Senate.

House Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) indicated he could support the Senate bill if the Cruz amendment is included. That’s different from a little more than a week ago, when Meadows said the Senate’s legislation lacked enough conservative support to pass the House.

“If the Cruz consumer choice amendment gets there, yes I can support it without the MacArthur amendment in there because I think it gives everybody some options,” Meadows told reporters late last week.

It’s a radical idea, allowing insurers to sell plans that people want to buy — but it just might work!