Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
GOP Presidential Field Grows As Carson, Fiorina Launch Campaigns
The Associated Press: GOP Field Grows: Fiorina, Carson To Launch Presidential Bids
Former technology executive Carly Fiorina and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson are set to launch their runs for president on Monday, each with the potential to help the Republican Party win over a more diverse group of supporters in 2016. (People, 5/4)
The Associated Press: Ben Carson, Famed Neurosurgeon, Running For President
Carson earned national acclaim during 29 years leading the pediatric neurosurgery unit of Johns Hopkins Children's Center in Baltimore, where he still lives. He directed the first surgery to separate twins connected at the back of the head. His career was notable enough to inspire the 2009 movie, "Gifted Hands," with actor Cuba Gooding Jr. depicting Carson. ... He has compared the Affordable Care Act, Obama's signature legislative achievement, to slavery. Yet Carson also has blasted for-profit insurance companies; called for stricter regulations — including of prices — of health care services; and said government should offer a nationalized insurance program for catastrophic care. (Peoples and Barrow, 5/4)
USA Today: Report: Ben Carson To Run For President
At the 2013 Values Voter Summit, he said Obamacare was "the worst thing that has happened in this nation since slavery." His fiery rhetoric could appeal to the most conservative primary voters, some of whom may be wary of more establishment-aligned potential candidates, such as former Florida governor Jeb Bush and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. But garnering support from a wider swath of GOP voters as a novice to electoral politics could prove challenging. (Allen, 5/4)
The New York Times: Ben Carson On The Issues
Ben Carson, a retired pediatric neurosurgeon, announced Sunday that he is running for the Republican presidential nomination. A Fox News commentator, he is a fierce critic of President Obama’s health care law, calling it “the worst thing that has happened in this nation since slavery.” Here is where he stands on some of the biggest issues of the 2016 campaign. (Mullany, 5/3)
CNN: John Kasich: Likelihood Of Presidential Run 'Looks Pretty Good'
John Kasich has more high-level experience in politics than most candidates, starting with his role as the House's budget chairman during the late 1990s, when the United States enjoyed several years of budget surpluses. But he's also taken a number of positions that are problematic on the right: Kasich expanded Medicaid under President Barack Obama's health care law, and he has supported Common Core education standards and a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. (Bradner, 5/3)
USA Today: Jindal Finds Friendship On Road, Hostility At Home
Friday's speech was one of two appearances Jindal, a Republican mulling a presidential bid, made in Washington this week before supportive audiences that shared his views on school choice, repealing the Affordable Care Act, immigration reform and other issues. Back home, though, the crowds are a lot less friendly. In Louisiana, Jindal is widely disliked for refusing to expand Medicaid, proposing drastic cuts to higher education and other programs, and switching his stance on Common Core education standards. (Barfield Barry, 5/2)
The New York Times: Christie’s Camp Mobilizes To Salvage White House Hopes
Mr. Christie, the governor of New Jersey, consulted with advisers, adjusted his jet-black suit and gamely walked onto a stage before 300 guests eating yogurt parfait and almond croissants. He recited statistics about Social Security and Medicare costs and projected the air of a man thoroughly unbothered by the swirling legal drama back in New Jersey, which he left unmentioned. But behind the scenes, his aides, his allies and even his wife were mobilizing, working the phones and blasting out memos to supporters, trying to hold on to whatever chance Mr. Christie had to make a run at the presidency, according to interviews. (Barbaro and Haberman, 5/2)
Meanwhile, the Associated Press examines what could become the political and policy legacy of the current president -
The Associated Press: Obama Presidential Legacy Begins To Take Shape
Obama would also count the 2010 health care law as a legacy item, provided that it is upheld when the Supreme Court rules by the end of June on another challenge to one of its key components. The law has survived multiple attempts by congressional Republicans to overturn all or just parts of it. Obama's legacy also will be shaped by failures and setbacks in domestic and foreign policy and the rancorous political partisanship he promised to heal but did not. (5/4)
