Top House Republicans Press For Health Reform Repeal While GOP Candidates, Personallities Offer Reform Criticism
News outlets report on a range of political developments related to the health reform law.
Politico Pulse: The "top two House Republicans," Minority Leader John Boehner and Whip Eric Cantor "will back efforts to force votes on the House floor to repeal the health care overhaul. They'll announce today their support for two discharge petitions one from Rep. Steve King to repeal a portion of the law and a forthcoming petition from Rep. Wally Herger to repeal the entire law and encourage other Republicans to follow suit" (Kliff and Haberkorn, 6/30).
In California, GOP Senate candidate Carly Fiorina called for repeal, "citing it as an example of out-of-control regulation that's preventing businesses from creating more jobs," McClatchy reports. "'I would like to see it all repealed,' Fiorina told reporters in Washington. ... Fiorina said she intends to run her campaign against Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer by focusing on issues involving jobs, taxes, spending and federal regulations" (Hotakainen, 6/29).
A congressional candidate in Alabama, Rick Barber, a self-described tea party adherent, claims in a new advertisement that the health law amounts to "slavery," Politico reports, in a separate story. "In his latest ad, the tea party candidate is speaking with a revived Abraham Lincoln. 'Hey Abe,' Barber says, 'if someone is forced to work for months to pay taxes so that a total stranger can get a free meal, a medical procedure or a bailout, what's that called?' Before Lincoln answers, Barber cuts in to ask: 'What's it called when one man is forced to work for another?' 'Slavery,' Lincoln says" (Barr, 6/29).
MSNBC: "Barber will face Martha Roby in a runoff on July 13 for the GOP nomination to oppose incumbent Alabama Rep. Bobby Bright (D) in November." Barber defended his ad, which also included Nazi imagery, saying "Somebody has to say this. When Hitler took power, no one wanted to think that the Holocaust, the murder of 6 million Jewish people, was possible. I'm saying that you have to recognize and name tyranny when you see it, according to MSNBC (Hall, 6/29).
In the meantime, former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin told a suburban Atlanta crowd Tuesday at a fundraiser for developmentally disabled children that the health law will "raise insurance costs for people including those with special needs," The Associated Press reports. "She warned that new rules aiming to raise $13 billion by limiting contributions to flexible spending accounts amount to a 'hefty tax hike' for families of special needs children struggling with health care costs. And she said families will wind up with fewer care options. ... Supporters of the health care overhaul say it will ultimately lower costs while expanding coverage to millions of uninsured Americans" (Bluestein, 6/30).
This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.