Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Different Takes On Inside-The-Beltway Health Policy Developments
The Washington Post: Obamacare’s Enduring Victory
What’s the holdup, House Republicans? During the Obama administration, you passed literally dozens of bills to repeal all or part of the Affordable Care Act — knowing that none had any chance of being signed into law. Now that Donald Trump is in the White House, why can’t you seem to pull the trigger? (Eugene Robinson, 2/20)
The New York Times: Ryancare: You Can Pay More For Less!
President Trump promised to replace the Affordable Care Act with something that is better, is cheaper and covers more people. Scratch that. Republican leaders in the House and Mr. Trump’s secretary of health and human services released a plan last week that would provide insurance that is far inferior, shift more medical costs onto families and cover far fewer people. (2/19)
Los Angeles Times: 'Death Spirals,' Deceit And Pampering The Rich: The Republicans Face High Noon On Repealing Obamacare
Congressional Republicans who have visited their home districts over the last few weeks have gotten a faceful of constituent rage about their plans to eviscerate the Affordable Care Act, which brings health coverage to more than 20 million Americans. If past is prologue, those heading home now for the Presidents Day recess are likely to feel a lot more heat. That may be why House Republicans this week rushed out a “policy brief” on “Obamacare Repeal and Replace.” Unfortunately for the poor souls who will be meeting with constituents, the brief answers none of the key questions about the GOP’s plans for the ACA. (Michael Hiltzik, 2/17)
The Washington Post: Republicans Are Selling Health-Care Reform That People Don’t Want
House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) says Obamacare is failing. Club for Growth president David McIntosh warns that voters “gave Republicans the charge to repeal and replace Obamacare,” so the “delays and discussions about repairing Obamacare need to stop.” The problem is that voters fear disruption, don’t want to lose what they have and won’t find what Republicans are selling very attractive. (Jennifer Rubin, 2/20)
The Washington Post: Ryan’s Health-Care Plan Will Be Hard To Defend
House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) outlined a health-care plan to his members yesterday. Surprisingly, it did not include much detail, either because the speaker has not gotten that far or because he’s afraid of the reaction when the numbers are revealed. (Jennifer Rubin, 2/17)
Modern Healthcare: Give Seema Verma A Chance
Seema Verma, the Indiana consultant who injected personal responsibility requirements and health savings accounts into that state's Medicaid program, deserves a shot at working with other states that want to redesign their programs. She repeatedly testified last week that her main goal for the program, if confirmed as CMS administrator, will be to achieve better outcomes for the vulnerable populations served by the program. “This shouldn't be about kicking people off,” she said. (Merrill Goozner, 2/18)
Fox News: Seema Verma For Medicaid/Medicare Czar Is The Final Piece In The Health Care Puzzle
Seema Verma is a bold pick by President Trump to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. She should be approved without further delay. During a hearing by the Senate Finance Committee this week she appeared confident and informed, refusing to take positions on raising Medicare’s eligibility age, price negotiation with drug companies, or caps on Medicaid allotments to the states. She stated that these decisions are up to Congress, showing an understanding of her role’s limits. (Marc Siegel, 2/20)
The Washington Post: Staffing, Budget Shortages Put Indian Health Service At ‘High Risk’
There’s a sliver of good news for a stricken federal agency during the first alarming month of President Trump’s administration: relief from Trump’s hiring freeze for the Indian Health Service (IHS). “This exemption is a step in the right direction,” seven Democratic senators said in a statement Friday. “Indian Health Services facilities face staff vacancy rates of 20 percent or higher, and a hiring freeze would make these challenges even more severe, further impacting access to health care and even patient health.” (Joe Davidson, 2/20)
Stat: Vaccine Programs Threatened By Exemptions, ACA Repeal
Our highly successful vaccination programs will be in danger if they are not factored into the current discussion of the repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). There’s a clear connection between having health insurance and getting vaccinated, so reducing the number of people with health insurance, which could likely happen if the ACA is repealed, will translate into fewer children and adults who get their recommended vaccines. (John Auerbach, 2/17)
Los Angeles Times: An Attack On Abortion Rights And A Handout To The Rich: The Republicans' New Plan For Repealing Obamacare
Congressional Republicans who have visited their home districts over the last few weeks have gotten a faceful of constituent rage about their plans to eviscerate the Affordable Care Act, which brings health coverage to more than 20 million Americans. If past is prologue, those heading home now for the Presidents Day recess are likely to feel a lot more heat. (Michael Hiltzik, 2/17)
