Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Biden Expected To Leave Out Drug Pricing From First Speech To Congress
Modern Healthcare: Biden Backs ACA Expansion In Next Relief Package, But No Drug Pricing Reform
In his first joint address to Congress, President Joe Biden will call on lawmakers to make permanent the largest expansion of the Affordable Care Act seen since the law was passed ten years ago. But he won't endorse including action on drug prices in the next economic relief package to be considered by Congress. The American Families Plan—to be unveiled by the president Wednesday night—largely focuses on childcare, education and tax issues, but is not the healthcare-focused package that was expected up until one week ago. (Hellmann, 4/28)
AP: What To Watch During Biden's 1st Big Speech To Congress
President Joe Biden is putting the finishing touches on his first address to a joint session of Congress, a prime-time speech on Wednesday night on the eve of his 100th day in office. Biden will use the speech before lawmakers and a broader viewing audience to talk about what he’s accomplished in the opening months of his presidency, and lay out his other domestic and foreign policy priorities. ... Biden is expected to outline details of his American Families Plan, another big piece of legislation he wants Congress to pass. The plan is expected to focus on so-called human infrastructure — child care, health care, education and other ways to support households. Biden wants to pay for it by hiking taxes on very high-income households. (Superville, 4/28)
Politico: Biden’s 100 Days Has Gone Smoothly. Does The Summer Curse Await?
[Joe] Biden is hoping for a different fate than his most recent predecessors. In his first address to Congress Wednesday, he will tout his accomplishments, largely defined by Covid-19, including a vaccination rollout and the passage of a relief package, the American Rescue Plan. Then he’ll pivot to what’s next: the need to negotiate with Congress on both the American Jobs Plan and American Family Plan — a combined $4 trillion in spending on everything from roads and bridges to pre-kindergarten and childcare that would usher in a government overhaul of the economy. (Anita Kumar, 4/27)
NBC News: At 100 Days, Americans See Biden As More Moderate Than Obama
Americans perceive Joe Biden as more moderate than Barack Obama at the same stage of his presidency, a new survey shows, even as progressive activists say the incumbent is governing to the left of the former president. The perception of Biden as a moderate may be helping him win support from congressional Democrats in competitive parts of the country who might otherwise feel pressure to oppose his agenda. (Kapur, 4/27)
Politico: No Designated Survivor For Biden's First Joint Address To Congress
There won’t be a designated survivor for President Joe Biden’s first joint address to Congress Wednesday night, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday. Typically, presidents designate a top official to camp out in a secure location in the case of a disaster that kills the president and cabinet officials. But this time, amid the coronavirus pandemic, things are different, with attendance for Biden’s speech limited to 200 lawmakers, Biden administration officials and staff. (Leonard, 4/27)
