Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
House Waits For Stimulus Bill From Senate; Vote Could Slip A Day
The Hill: Biden To Sign COVID-19 Relief 'As Soon As I Can Get It'
President Biden said Monday he intends to sign the American Rescue Plan into law "as soon as I can get it," with the massive coronavirus relief and stimulus bill poised for final passage in Congress by mid-week. Biden made the comments to reporters during a visit to a Department of Veterans Affairs medical center where veterans were receiving vaccine doses. (Samuels, 3/8)
Roll Call: Final Coronavirus Vote May Be Delayed As House Waits On Senate 'Paper'
House action on the revised $1.9 trillion COVID-19 aid package may slip a day as the chamber waits on the Senate to send its amended version of the budget reconciliation measure back. Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters Monday that the House vote on the Senate-amended bill could still occur Tuesday as originally planned if the Senate finalizes the text in time, but that it would be "Wednesday morning at the latest." (McPherson, 3/8)
The Hill: Frustrated Progressives On Relief Package: 'We'll Take The Win'
Liberals in the House on Monday rallied behind the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package that the Democratic-controlled Congress is set to send to President Biden’s desk this week, despite some frustration over changes made by the Senate to appease key centrists. House progressives signaled that they will still back the legislation following amendments adopted by the Senate to restrict income eligibility for stimulus checks and keep weekly unemployment insurance payments at $300, while ensuring that the first $10,200 of jobless benefits aren’t subject to taxes. (Marcos, 3/9)
In related news on the covid-relief legislation —
AP: COVID Bill To Deliver Big Health Insurance Savings For Many
Several million people stand to save hundreds of dollars in health insurance costs, or more, under the Democratic coronavirus relief legislation on track to pass Congress. Winners include those covered by “Obamacare” or just now signing up, self-employed people who buy their own insurance and don’t currently get federal help, laid-off workers struggling to retain employer coverage, and most anyone collecting unemployment. Also, potentially many more could benefit if about a dozen states accept a Medicaid deal in the legislation. (Alonso-Zaldivar, 3/9)
KHN: Pandemic Aid Package Includes Relief From High Premiums
As President Joe Biden’s pandemic relief package steams through Congress, Democrats have hitched a ride for a top health care priority: strengthening the Affordable Care Act with some of the most significant changes to insurance affordability in more than a decade. The bill would spend $34 billion to help Americans who buy insurance on the marketplaces created by the ACA through 2022, when the benefits would expire. The Senate sent its relief package, one of the largest in congressional history, back to the House where it could come up as early as Tuesday. It is expected to pass and then go to Biden for his signature. (Huetteman, 3/9)
Stat: With Manchin’s Ear, West Virginia Hospitals Secured Billions In Covid Relief
West Virginia University Health System doesn’t have the name recognition of the Mayo Clinic or Massachusetts General Hospital. It doesn’t have the lobbying firepower in Washington, either. But this year, unexpectedly, the hospital chain and others in the state are part of the reason that rural hospitals across the country will get a last-minute cash influx of more than $8 billion from Congress in the Covid-19 package that represents President Biden’s first major legislative push. (Cohrs, 3/9)
CBS News: Kamala Harris Announces $250 Million In Funding To Help Address COVID Response Inequities
Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday announced that the Biden administration will invest $250 million in federal grants to community organizations that work to address gaps in the response to COVID-19. In remarks to the National League of Cities, Harris announced the funding, which is targeted at organizations that are encouraging underserved and minority populations to get COVID-19 vaccinations and adopt safety practices to help them avoid contracting the virus. (Perry, 3/8)
