Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
GOP Secrecy Has Left Democrats Trying To Attack 'Something In The Dark'
The Washington Post: Even With No GOP Senate Bill In Sight, Democrats And Allies Begin Mobilizing To Fight It
Surrounded by several fellow Democrats in a meeting room in the Capitol Visitors Center, Sen. Ron Wyden (Ore.) lashed out Wednesday afternoon at Republican plans to refashion federal health policies, contending that they would “hit rural communities like a wrecking ball.” But the plans that Wyden was condemning at an all-Democratic hearing were not part of a Senate bill. In a weird twist, his derision was aimed at the legislation that House Republicans narrowly adopted last month to erase major aspects of the Affordable Care Act. (Goldstein and Eilperin, 6/21)
Denver Post: High-Flying Bulletin To Cory Gardner On Health Care Bill Stuck On The Ground
The message — tell Republican U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner to vote against the GOP-led health care bill in the Senate — was ready to take flight over tens of thousands of people at Wednesday’s Rockies game. Instead, the banner — emblazoned with the words “Senator Gardner: TrumpCare hurts women” — will remain on terra firma, the victim of mechanical problems with the plane that was set to fly it. (Aguilar, 6/21)
Meanwhile, others are unhappy with the Republican efforts as well —
The Hill: Planned Parenthood Organizes Nationwide Rallies To Protest Senate Healthcare Bill
Planned Parenthood is planning a wave of nationwide protests to dissuade the Senate from including language in the ObamaCare repeal bill that would defund the nonprofit organization. The organization says its message at Wednesday night's rallies, taking place in at least 20 states, is simple: “Do not take away my health care.” (Bowden, 6/21)
Cleveland Plain-Dealer: Ohioans Protest Healthcare Bill With Sit-In At Sen. Rob Portman's Washington Office
About 25 Ohioans staged a sit-in in U.S. Sen. Rob Portman's office Wednesday to demand more transparency, including hearings and town hall-style meetings, on the Senate effort to repeal and replace Obamacare... Portman was at a Senate committee meeting during at least part of the protest, which did not appear to disrupt his schedule. (Koff, 6/21)
Reuters: Most Americans Say Republican Healthcare Plan Will Be Harmful: Reuters/Ipsos Poll
When U.S. Senate Republicans unveil their plan to overhaul America's healthcare system, they will face a skeptical public that already does not buy the justification for an earlier version that passed the House of Representatives, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Wednesday. The June 9-13 poll shows that a majority of the country thinks the American Health Care Act would be harmful for low-income Americans, people with pre-existing health conditions and Medicaid recipients. (Kahn, 6/21)
