Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
17 House Democrats Press For Repeal Of Medical Device Tax
The Hill: House Dems: Repeal Medical Device Tax By Memorial Day
More than a dozen Democrats are pressuring House leadership to advance a bill that repeals ObamaCare’s medical device tax before Memorial Day. Rep. Scott Peters (Calif.) led 17 House Democrats in a letter to Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) urging “timely passage” of the bill. (Ferris, 5/11)
The Associated Press: House GOP Abortion Bill Requires Docs To Help Fetus Survive
Doctors performing late-term abortions would be required to take steps to give the fetus the best chance of survival, according to a Republican bill the House plans to debate this week. The legislation requires that if the fetus seems capable of surviving outside the womb, a second, neonatal doctor must be present to provide care and rush it to a hospital. (Fram, 5/11)
Politico offers a progress report on Sen. David Vitter, R-La., and his crusade against the health law -
Politico: David Vitter’s Anti-Obamacare Crusade Draws Scorn — From GOP
Within the chummy confines of the U.S. Senate, Vitter has emerged as one of the most disliked members. The second-term senator’s effort to kill the federal health care contribution, worth several thousand dollars to lawmakers and their staffers, is a big part of it. But the two-year drive, his critics say, symbolizes an operating style that Vitter’s critics complain is consumed with public relations, even for an ambitious member of Congress: speeding in and out of meetings, railing about issues on the Senate floor but doing little to execute behind the scenes, firing off news releases left and right. In an institution in which the inside game is critical, Vitter doesn’t even pretend to bother with it. (Raju, 5/12)
And the latest on the Menendez trial -
Politico: Bob Menendez Argues For Trial To Be In D.C.
Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) is asking a judge to move his federal corruption trial out of New Jersey and into Washington, D.C., arguing that doing so would minimize disruption to his day job as senator and would also allow him to get a less-biased jury pool. ... Menendez was indicted April 1 on 14 federal corruption charges spanning from bribery accusations to honest services fraud. Prosecutors allege that Menendez took nearly $1 million worth of lavish gifts and campaign contributions from Melgen in exchange for using the resources of his Senate office to benefit Melgen financially. Both Menendez and Melgen have pleaded not guilty. Separate from this case, Melgen has been charged in a 76-count indictment accusing him of concocting and profiting from a Medicare fraud scheme. (Kim, 5/12)
The Associated Press: Menendez Attorney Files To Have Corruption Case Moved To DC
Indicted U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez asked Monday to have his federal corruption case moved from New Jersey to Washington, D.C., arguing that virtually none of the 22 counts alleged occurred in the state. Attorneys for Menendez and co-defendant Salomon Melgen filed the request in Newark. Abbe Lowell, Menendez's attorney, said during a court proceeding three weeks ago that he likely would file for a venue change. The government will have a chance to respond to the motion. (Porter, 5/11)
