Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
ACA Changes Added To Relief Bill Fly Under The Radar
NBC News: Obamacare Would Get A Big (And Quiet) Overhaul In The Covid Relief Bill
The $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package that passed the House on Saturday would make one of the biggest changes to the Affordable Care Act in over a decade, and it could set the stage for a broader overhaul of the health care program — but don't be surprised if you haven't heard much about it. The reforms, which would include temporarily expanding subsidies to purchase insurance and making them available to people of all incomes for the first time, have gotten little attention from either party. (Sarlin, 3/2)
CBS News: Schumer Says "We'll Have The Votes" To Pass COVID Relief Bill In The Senate This Week
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed confidence on Tuesday that President Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill will pass in the Senate this week, saying the Senate will take up the legislation as early as Wednesday. The Senate is using the budget reconciliation process to pass the bill, which limits time for debate and allows legislation to pass with a simple majority. "We want to get the biggest, strongest, boldest bill that can pass. And that's what we are working to do," Schumer told reporters. "We'll have the votes we need to pass the bill." Schumer spoke to reporters after Mr. Biden addressed Democratic senators virtually during their caucus lunch. (Segers, 3/2)
Politico: Senate Dems Wrestle With Unemployment Benefits In Biden's Covid Aid Plan
Senate Democrats left the Capitol on Tuesday evening leaving a crucial policy disagreement unresolved as they hope to pass President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package this week. Privately, Democratic senators are suggesting that a last-minute push from Senate moderates to cut a weekly federal unemployment bonus from $400 to $300, while extending the money for a longer period of time, will fail. Biden prevailed on Senate Democrats to put their disagreements behind them during a private call on Tuesday and pass the bill quickly in its current form. (Levine, Emaa and Everett, 3/2)
CNBC: Congress' New Covid Relief May Help Keep Seniors Out Of Nursing Homes
The House of Representatives’ $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill includes a proposal that could help keep some seniors out of nursing homes. The bill calls for a 7.5% increase — or about $10 billion — in additional federal Medicaid matching funds for home- and community-based services. (Konish, 3/2)
In updates on the nomination of Xavier Becerra —
AP: Biden Health Pick Taking Heat For Support Of Abortion Rights
President Joe Biden’s pick for health secretary is taking heat from Republicans for his actions in support of abortion rights. They want to define him — and the new administration — as out of the mainstream. The nomination of Xavier Becerra faces a key vote Wednesday in the Senate Finance committee. It’s a test, too, for national groups opposed to abortion, trying to deny a president who favors abortion rights his choice to run the Department of Health and Human Services. (Alonso-Zaldivar and Beaumont, 3/3)
