Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Democrats Raise Specter Of 2018 Election In Health Law Messaging
The Washington Post: ‘They Will Suffer The Consequences,’ Democrats Say Of Republicans On Obamacare
For the first time in eight years, Democrats are finally on offense on a key issue that could help them retake the congressional majority in 2018. As Republicans struggle to craft and pass a replacement for Obamacare, Democrats are sharpening their campaign messaging against Republicans such as [Rep. Erik] Paulsen. The new approach was on display at a House committee hearing early Wednesday. The panel rejected a Democratic request to postpone the hearing to consider the GOP plan to roll back and replace the Affordable Care Act. By noon, Democrats were holding Republicans’ feet to the fire. (Kane, 3/8)
Roll Call: Tough Choices For Democrats: Obstruct Or Govern
Democrats in Congress are hopeful that a new tea party is emerging, a liberal one that will renew their electoral prospects in 2018. But perhaps they should be wary: The tea party was about more than bringing Republicans back to power. It was also about transforming the Republican Party into a more conservative entity. It was at times self-destructive, leaving the party deeply divided and costing it winnable elections. And it also contributed greatly to increased partisanship and dysfunction in Washington. ... On the ground, at the grass roots, liberals surely would prefer a Democratic majority, but they — like their conservative forbearers — are inspired by something more visceral. That is revulsion at Trump and rage at Republicans who stonewalled President Barack Obama for the bulk of his time in office. (Zeller, Miller and Curry, 3/9)
