Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Cassidy Will Keep 'Plugging Along,' But There Will Be No More Tweaks Coming To Woo Senators
CQ: Health Repeal Bill Sponsors Defend Plan in Senate Hearing
Sens. Bill Cassidy, R-La., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., defended their proposal to overhaul the 2010 health care law during a Finance Committee hearing Monday. The pair, who have led a revival of the GOP push to repeal the health law this month, said they wanted to keep working to address the law because costs are rising. (McIntire, 9/25)
Politico: Cassidy Rules Out Revisions Even As He Pushes Obamacare Repeal Bill
Sen. Bill Cassidy on Monday pledged not to give up on his Obamacare repeal plan despite lacking GOP support to win its passage by a Saturday deadline. The Louisiana Republican told reporters he’ll “keep plugging away” to find the 50 votes needed to pass the bill using a budgetary procedure requiring only majority support. But he added that he’s done making tweaks aimed at winning over holdout senators. (Cancryn, 9/25)
Nashville Tennessean: Cassidy Said Tenn. Hospitals, Haslam Support Graham-Cassidy. Do They?
Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., said in a Senate Finance Committee that Tennessee hospitals, doctors and Gov. Bill Haslam are behind Graham-Cassidy, the latest Affordable Care Act repeal-and-replace bill. But support for the legislation in the Volunteer State isn't that clear or simple. The Senate is trying to pass Graham-Cassidy by the end of the month. The finance committee heard from the namesake authors as well as a few witnesses around the country. No one from Tennessee spoke. (Fletcher, 9/25)
McClatchy: Genial Lindsey Graham Suddenly Turns Partisan Bulldog On Health Care
Sen. Lindsey Graham has spent years crafting a reputation as a bridge-builder, a “consensus guy,” on policy areas that typically polarize the two parties. Now he’s leading one of the year’s most polarizing debates, and colleagues and constituents alike are seeing a more partisan side of the South Carolina Republican. (Dumain, 9/25)
