Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Health Law, Medicaid Expansion Dividing Candidates
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Obamacare Remains Top Issue In Georgia Insurance Commissioner’s Race
As Georgia's insurance commissioner, Republican Ralph Hudgens rarely hesitated to voice his criticism of the health care law known as Obamacare. The incumbent continued that mantra Sunday even while caught in a political crossfire from his two lesser-known opponents. (Fouriezos, 10/26)
WBUR: Where Baker, Coakley Stand On Health Care
It’s nearly half the state budget, almost 20 percent of the state’s economy and a perennial top concern for voters. The issue is health care, and so far, neither Democrat Martha Coakley nor Republican Charlie Baker has taken the lead on this topic with voters in the gubernatorial race. (Bebinger, 10/27)
The Associated Press: Walker, Burke Differ On Medicaid Expansion Money
Gov. Scott Walker proudly defends his decision to reject hundreds of millions of federal dollars to pay for expanding Medicaid coverage, even though polls show most Wisconsin residents believe he made the wrong choice. Mary Burke, his Democratic opponent in the gubernatorial race, decries it as irresponsible. How Walker approached Medicaid offers a clear contrast with Burke, who said she would undo Walker's policies and take the money. And though Walker rejected the money offered under President Barack Obama's health care overhaul law, he did expand the program to include childless adults previously on a waiting list. The most recent Marquette University Law School poll showed the race in the Nov. 4 election is tied, with nearly every voter having already made up their mind. That same poll released Oct. 15 showed 59 percent of likely voters would like the state to accept the federal money, while 30 percent agree with Walker in rejecting it. (Bauer, 10/26)
Politico: Found: The First Post-Obama Republican
Mitt Romney publicly hailed Susana Martinez as a “model” for the Republican Party. ... The [New Mexico] governor makes no apology for accepting federal health care support under the Affordable Care Act, calling Obamacare a fact of life, at least for now. “It’s the law. It’s the law,” Martinez, 55, says, repeating herself for emphasis. “There’s so many issues – and that may be one of them – but I hope we don’t get hung up on one and forget all of the important issues that impact families every day.” (Burns, 10/24)
Sacramento Bee: Prop. 46 Aims To Increase Malpractice Awards, Test Doctors
Proposition 46 is the latest salvo in a decades-long fight between medical doctors and trial lawyers. The three-pronged initiative would increase the limit on damages for pain and suffering, require random drug and alcohol testing of doctors and mandate that health professionals consult a statewide drug database before issuing certain medications to patients to prevent “doctor shopping.” (Cadelago, 10/25)
Los Angeles Times: Yes On Proposition 45 Ads Are Going To The Airwaves
With just over a week until election day, backers of Proposition 45, the health insurance rate regulation initiative, are putting their ads on television. Though corporate opponents have used a $55-million campaign war chest to flood the airwaves, Consumer Watchdog, the Santa Monica activist group that put the measure on the ballot, has only $1 million to spend on TV and radio spots. (Lifscher, 10/24)
