Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Biden And Obama Zoom To Encourage ACA Enrollment; 31M Now Covered
AP: Biden Turns To Obama To Help Boost Health Care Enrollment
President Joe Biden turned to his old boss, former President Barack Obama, on Saturday to help him encourage Americans to sign up for “Obamacare” health care coverage during an expanded special enrollment period in the pandemic. Biden used his weekly address for a brief Zoom chat with Obama to draw attention to the six-month expanded enrollment period that closes Aug. 15. Meanwhile the government released a report that claims that nearly 31 million Americans — a record — now have health coverage through the Affordable Care Act. (Alonso-Zaldivar and Madhani, 6/5)
HuffPost: 31 Million Now Get Coverage Through 'Obamacare,' Biden Administration Says
More people than ever are getting health insurance through the Affordable Care Act, providing new proof of the law’s value even as its survival depends on a Supreme Court ruling that could come as soon as Monday. Approximately 31 million people now get coverage through “Obamacare,” according to a report that the Department of Health and Human Services issued Saturday. In most cases, that means they’ve enrolled in newly expanded Medicaid programs or purchased subsidized insurance through HealthCare.gov or state exchanges like Covered California. (Cohn, 6/5)
In other White House news —
Axios: Biden Recognizes 40th Anniversary Of AIDS Epidemic
President Biden on Saturday released a statement recognizing the 40th anniversary of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and announcing that he has asked Congress to provide $670 million to fight new infections. NIAID director Anthony Fauci — who has played a key role in tackling AIDS — told Axios that he believes it's possible to end the epidemic by 2030 with a combination of different treatments. (Gonzalez, 6/5)
CNN: Biden Stays Mum On State Abortion Laws With Major Test Ahead For Roe
As more Republican-led states pass abortion bans with the easing of the Covid-19 pandemic, a heated debate has returned to center stage with abortion rights supporters warning of a looming threat to access and anti-abortion activists determined to keep up the momentum. But one key person has been noticeably quiet on the issue: President Joe Biden. (Kelly, 6/6)
Politico: White House Briefing Room To Return To Full, Pre-Pandemic Seating Capacity
The White House’s James S. Brady Press Briefing Room is slated to return to full seating capacity this week, the White House Correspondents’ Association announced on Sunday. The WHCA will also reintroduce its pre-pandemic seating chart for the briefing room, featuring a front row of reporters from outlets including NBC, Fox News, CBS News, the Associated Press, ABC News, Reuters and CNN. (Forgey, 6/6)
The Hill: More Than A Dozen Police Officers Still On Medical Leave From Jan. 6 Injuries
Over a dozen police officers injured during the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol remain on medical leave, according to a report from CBS News. More than 150 law enforcement officers suffered injuries on Jan. 6 attack. Of those who reported injuries, 86 were Capitol Police officers and 65 were members of the Metropolitan Police Department. As of Thursday, at least 10 Capitol police officers had not yet returned to duty due to injuries, a source told the outlet. (Jenkins, 6/3)
