Increasingly Popular Single-Payer Idea May Be Driving Wedge Between Democrats
While some frustrated with the current state of the health care debate are leaning toward more liberal ideas, others are hunkering down to try to protect the Affordable Care Act.
USA Today:
Health Care Divides Democrats, Beyond Opposing Republicans
It’s not just the GOP that’s divided on health care. Legislation Sen. Bernie Sanders plans to introduce soon highlights a wedge issue for Democrats and is emerging as the Republican retort to their own problems with repealing and replacing Obamacare. (Gaudiano, 7/5)
The Hill:
Senate GOP Tries To Tie Red-State Dems To Single-Payer Healthcare
The Senate Republican campaign arm is looking to tie red-state Democrats up for reelection in 2018 to the idea of government-funded single-payer healthcare. The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) launched a Facebook ad campaign that seeks to connect vulnerable Democrats to Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who recently said that Democrats running in 2018 and 2020 should campaign on support for a single-payer plan. (Hagen, 7/5)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Wisconsin Democrats Double Down On Expanding Public Health Coverage
As congressional Republicans seek to scale back the private health marketplaces in Obamacare, Democrats here and nationally are proposing expansions of public coverage. President Donald Trump and the GOP Congress are considering how to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, including the subsidized private insurance it provides to qualifying Americans. Some Democrats in Wisconsin and around the country are responding with proposals that would make government-run coverage available to more citizens. (Stein, 7/5)
Meanwhile —
McClatchy:
Democrats' New Tactic: Bus Tour In GOP District To Rally Opposition To Obamacare Repeal
A consortium of liberal groups is launching an effort this month against the Republican health care bill, targeting GOP lawmakers who have supported the legislation with a bus tour that will visit their states and districts during the August congressional recess. (Roarty, 7/6)
Pioneer Press:
Health Care Bill Would Have Devastating Effects On Minnesotans, Dayton Says
At a Minneapolis news conference Wednesday, Gov. Mark Dayton and U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison, both Democrats, railed against the proposed health care bill in the U.S. Senate. The Republican-written health care measure would unwind parts of the 2010 Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare, and replace them with a less generous and, to backers, a less onerous health insurance program. (Chavey, 7/5)
The Associated Press:
Residents Question McCaskill During Missouri Town Halls
Missouri residents are questioning U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill during town halls. More than 100 people peppered the Democrat with questions during an evening town hall Wednesday in Ashland, Missouri. She received a generally friendly response from a group mostly of supporters who applauded her. Some of her Republican colleagues have been met with angry responses at town halls in reaction to President Donald Trump's early agenda. (7/5)
New Hampshire Public Radio:
Newport-Based Health Providers Air Concerns With Health Reform
Staff at the Newport Health Center shared their concerns about the Senate healthcare bill with New Hampshire Senator Maggie Hassan Wednesday. ... After a quick tour, Sen. Hassan sat down with administrators and staffers to discuss the current healthcare debate. (Greene, 7/5)
