Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
GOP Lawmakers Wrestle With Choice Between Their Replace Goal And What Some View As 'Obamacare Lite'
Los Angeles Times: GOP Leaders Turn Up The Pressure On Reluctant Republicans To Support Obamacare Replacement
[House Speaker Paul] Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) are trying to build momentum to fast-track the legislation past a groundswell of opposition from Democrats, small-government conservatives, moderate Republicans and healthcare groups who have created an unlikely coalition against it. (Mascaro and Levey, 3/8)
Bloomberg: Ryan Ready To Twist Arms To Sell Obamacare Plan To House GOP
House Speaker Paul Ryan has used a soft touch to win over rebellious conservatives. But, with his Obamacare replacement bill at stake, he’s delivering a tougher message: It’s time to fall in line. “This is an all-hands-on-deck, because you know what? We all ran on repealing and replacing Obamacare,” Ryan said Wednesday, warning that the health care system will collapse if Congress doesn’t act. “This is why we have to pass it with something better.” The with-us-or-against-us tone is a departure for Ryan, who has up to now trod carefully around the fiercely anti-establishment members who helped oust his predecessor, John Boehner. (Edgerton, 3/9)
The Associated Press: Health Bill Highlights Divide Between Governors, House GOP
Republican governors complain that a GOP proposal to replace former President Barack Obama's health care law would force millions of lower-income earners off insurance rolls or stick states with the cost of keeping them covered. Governors, especially those from political battleground states, were generally cool to the bill put forth in the Republican-controlled U.S. House. Some signaled that they would continue working on their own legislation to compete with the measure introduced Monday. (Beaumont and Noon, 3/8)
Los Angeles Times: Some GOP Governors Assail New Healthcare Proposal Backed By Trump
In the days since House Republicans unveiled a replacement to the Affordable Care Act, some GOP governors have a message: Not so fast. The proposed legislation, which is supported by President Trump, would, among other things, make significant changes to Medicaid programs that have been expanded under the Affordable Care Act, also commonly referred to as Obamacare. (Lee, 3/8)
Politico: The Republicans Who Could Tell Trump To Take A Hike On Health Care
Hard-line conservatives have threatened to upend the GOP’s drive to replace Obamacare, but the real peril may come from a quieter group of moderates. The two dozen House Republicans who outran President Donald Trump at home — in some cases surviving even as Hillary Clinton won their districts — are now facing a vote on health care that could put their political careers on the line. Though Obamacare has never been widely popular, the law has gained support in recent weeks as Republicans inch closer to repealing it. And the GOP plan to replace it is drawing fire from important constituencies, from hospitals to AARP. (Cheney and Bade, 3/8)
NPR: On Obamacare Replacement Plan, Freedom Caucus Members Face Crossroads
Some of the most conservative members of the House are at a crossroads over the plan from GOP leadership and the White House to replace the Affordable Care Act. Those lawmakers say their choice is between supporting a bill that goes against many of their principles, or falling in line behind President Trump — who won overwhelming support in their district. (Taylor, 3/8)
Politico: The Many Ways The Senate Could Tank Obamacare Repeal
Speaker Paul Ryan guarantees he’ll muscle the GOP’s Obamacare repeal bill through the House. But even if he manages to execute that impressive feat, Republicans will then have to clear an even more imposing hurdle: the Senate. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) can lose just two votes and still pass repeal legislation on party lines. But at least eight Republicans have already loudly complained about the bill’s direction. (Everett, 3/8)
Austin American-Statesman: Ted Cruz Says GOP Health Care Bill Won’t Pass Senate Without Rew
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz said Wednesday that President Donald Trump was “exactly right,” when he tweeted Tuesday that the Republican legislation to replace Obamacare is open to negotiation. “As drafted, I do not believe this bill would pass the United States Senate,” Cruz said in a conference call with Texas reporters. Cruz will have an opportunity to tell the president his thoughts on how the bill can be improved to pass Senate muster at a private dinner at the White House Wednesday evening at which Cruz, his wife, Heidi, and their two daughters, Caroline and Catherine, will dine with the president and first lady. (Tilove, 3/8)
