Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Defunding Of Planned Parenthood Slammed: 'Women Of America Should Have Fear Struck' In Their Hearts
The Wall Street Journal: Planned Parenthood Restriction Could Pose Problem For Centrist Senators
The Senate health bill released Thursday strips federal Medicaid funding from Planned Parenthood Federation of America for one year and tightens restrictions on abortion coverage, creating potential sticking points for centrist senators. The Planned Parenthood measure, which mirrors a provision in the House version of the bill, would disqualify the network of women’s health clinics from receiving federal Medicaid funding, stripping the organization of hundreds of millions of dollars and potentially forcing some clinics to shutter. (Hackman, 6/22)
The Hill: Senate GOP Bill Defunds Planned Parenthood For One Year
The Senate healthcare bill, revealed Thursday, defunds Planned Parenthood for one year, despite concerns that the move would not meet budget rules. The GOP bill follows the same language in the House-passed healthcare bill in blocking Medicaid reimbursements to Planned Parenthood, which provides women's healthcare and abortion services. Two Republican senators, Lisa Murkowski (Ala.) and Susan Collins (Maine), have already suggested they may not support the bill if it defunds Planned Parenthood. (Hellmann, 6/22)
CQ Roll Call: Abortion Opponents Pleased That Senate Bill Would Add Limits
Abortion rights advocates were dismayed when Senate Republicans on Thursday released the draft of their health care bill, which retains language from the House bill to effectively defund Planned Parenthood for one year and prohibit certain tax credits from being used for marketplace insurance policies that cover abortion. These provisions were at risk for being cut due to concerns that the language could encounter parliamentary issues. During the reconciliation process, provisions must have a budgetary impact. The Byrd rule prohibits including language that is designed primarily to make a policy change rather than for budget reasons. (Raman, 6/22)
