Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Details Of Senate Republicans' 'Skinny' Relief Bill Emerge
The New York Times: Republicans Float A Scaled-Back Stimulus Bill
Senate Republicans on Tuesday began circulating text of a narrow coronavirus relief package that would revive extra unemployment benefits at half the original rate, shield businesses from lawsuits related to the virus and provide funding for testing and schools. The draft measure appears to be an effort to break through the political stalemate over providing another round of economic stimulus to Americans during the pandemic. But it is unlikely to alter the debate in Washington, where Democrats have repeatedly rejected previous Republican offers as insufficient. The new bill would spend less money, in fewer areas, than those earlier offers. (Cochrane and Tankersley, 8/18)
Modern Healthcare: Senate GOP Narrows COVID-19 Relief Asks, Removes Provider Funding
Senate Republicans are considering a new, slimmer COVID-19 relief bill that includes no additional funds for healthcare provider grants. The proposal comes as negotiations between congressional Democrats and the White House collapsed in recent weeks. The new bill includes liability protections that healthcare providers wanted, but doesn't set aside the additional $100 billion in grants providers had asked for or relax Medicare loan terms, according to draft text of the proposal. (Cohrs, 8/18)
Reuters: Pelosi Emphasizes Need For COVID-19 Deal 'Now'
U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Tuesday that Democrats in Congress are willing to cut their coronavirus relief bill in half to get an agreement on new legislation, which a senior aide said did not signal a change to her position. “We have to try to come to that agreement now,” Pelosi said in an online interview with Politico. “We’re willing to cut our bill in half to meet the needs right now. We’ll take it up again in January. We’ll see them again in January. But for now, we can cut the bill in half.” (8/18)
