Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
House Targets Health Law, Planned Parenthood To Open Session
The Associated Press: Health Care Repeal Vote To Open A Political Year In Congress
It's been like a long-delayed New Year's resolution for Republicans. But 2016 will finally be the year when they put legislation on President Barack Obama's desk repealing his health care law. The bill undoing the president's prized overhaul will be the first order of business when the House reconvenes this coming week, marking a sharply partisan start on Capitol Hill to a congressional year in which legislating may take a back seat to politics. ... Obama will veto the health law repeal bill, which also would cut money for Planned Parenthood. (Werner, 1/2)
Fox News: GOP-Led Congress Set For First Time To Vote, Pass Bill To Replace Obamacare, Not Just Repeal
Within hours of reconvening Tuesday, the GOP-led Congress will finally act to fulfill a 2010 promise to repeal and replace ObamaCare. The effort is set to begin Tuesday afternoon when the House Rules Committee meets on the repeal measure, with a full debate and vote as early as Tuesday. With the Republican-led Senate having already passed its version, GOP congressional leaders will send the measure to President Obama, daring him to veto it. (Pergram, 1/4)
CBS News: GOP Promises House Vote To Repeal Obamacare, Defund Planned Parenthood
House Republicans are starting off 2016 with a renewed legislative push to roll back the president's landmark health care legislation, with proposals to defund Planned Parenthood tacked onto the bill. (Flores, 1/2)
The Hill: Republican Calls For Effort To Repeal Obamacare
Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.) on Saturday touted legislation in the House that would repeal key aspects of Obamacare and defund Planned Parenthood. “As Congress returns next week, in one of our first acts of the New Year, the House will vote on a bill that would eliminate key parts of Obamacare and stop taxpayer funding for abortion providers, such as Planned Parenthood,” she said in the GOP’s weekly address. (Richardson, 1/2)
The New York Times: Break Is Likely in Planned Parenthood Funding Battle
Congressional Republicans are planning to start the new year with another attempt to ban federal funds for Planned Parenthood. But after five years of fruitless legislative attacks, the House vote next week is likely to be the last, conservative activists say, until a Republican moves into the White House. (Calmes, 12/29)
Bloomberg: Expectations Low For Dealmaking In Congress Before Election
Don’t expect an avalanche of big legislative accomplishments by Congress in 2016, with leaders already lowering expectations and political parties sharpening their contrasts for a year in which the White House and Senate control are up for grabs. First thing up for the new session: hitting President Barack Obama with a repeal of the Affordable Care Act’s core provisions that he will veto. Republicans who won the Senate in 2014 to complement their House majority are eager to show voters they’re still focused on the health-care law even though this vote -- like more than 50 previous ones in the House -- won’t succeed in repealing Obamacare. (House and Miller, 1/4)
