Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
House Republicans' Budget Plan Would Put Medicare In The Cross Hairs
The Washington Post: House GOP Plan Would Cut Medicare, Social Security To Balance Budget
House Republicans released a proposal Tuesday that would balance the budget in nine years — but only by making large cuts to entitlement programs, including Medicare and Social Security, that President Trump vowed not to touch. The House Budget Committee is aiming to pass the blueprint this week, but that may be as far as it goes this midterm election year. It is not clear that GOP leaders will put the document on the House floor for a vote, and even if it were to pass the House, the budget would have little impact on actual spending levels. Nonetheless the budget serves as an expression of Republicans’ priorities at a time of rapidly rising deficits and debt. (Werner, 6/19)
Bloomberg: House GOP Unveils Budget To Fast-Track Tax Cuts, End Obamacare
The budget, which claims to balance by 2027 through $8 trillion in spending cuts, seeks to revive the deficit-cutting mantle for Republicans after a two-year deal that increased spending by $300 billion. A massive tax cut approved last year is expected to add $2 trillion in deficits over 10 years. The budget proposal lays out a platform for the Republicans to run on in November. Democrats need a net gain of 23 seats to win the House and the party has reason to be optimistic about achieving that goal in November’s election. (Wasson, 6/19)
Elsewhere on Capitol Hill —
CQ: Labor-HHS-Education Bill Markup Pushed To Next Tuesday In House
The House Appropriations Committee will take up a draft $177.1 billion fiscal 2019 Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill on June 26, after postponing Wednesday's expected consideration. The full committee is currently scheduled to take up a draft $54 billion fiscal 2019 State-Foreign Operations bill at Wednesday's markup, as well as revised subcommittee allocations trimming $1.1 billion from the as-yet-unreleased Homeland Security measure's allocation. That was necessary because the House approved an extra $1.1 billion for veterans health care, without offsets on the floor during debate on a three-bill appropriations package (HR 5895) including the Military Construction-VA measure. (6/19)
