Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
'It's Time To Move On': A Look At What's Next After GOP's Health Care Defeat
NPR: McCain Votes No, Dealing Potential Death Blow To Republican Health Care Efforts
The defeat ends — for now — the health care debate in Congress. The chamber adjourned following the defeat and there are no further Senate votes this week. In the short-term, the Senate intends to move on to defense legislation and the nomination of Christopher Wray to be the next FBI Director. In a written statement from McConnell's office after the vote, he seemed to indicate a GOP-only effort on health care may be dead. (Davis and Montanaro, 7/28)
The Washington Post: Senate Rejects Measure To Partly Repeal Affordable Care Act, Dealing GOP Leaders A Major Setback
Some senators in both parties said they hope the two sides can begin talks on shoring up the current health-care system, a debate that is expected to be handled by Senate committees overseeing budget, tax and health-care policy. “Maybe this had to happen to actually begin to have a conversation,” said Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who had tried brokering a bipartisan deal in recent weeks. (Eilperin, Sullivan and Snell, 7/28)
Los Angeles Times: McCain, Two Other GOP Senators Join Democrats To Reject Last-Ditch Effort To Repeal Obamacare
Sen. Charles E. Schumer of New York, the Democratic leader, said he looked forward to taking a bipartisan approach to healthcare reform. "It’s time to turn the page," he said. "We are not celebrating. We are relieved. "Shortly after the vote, President Trump responded on Twitter: “3 Republicans and 48 Democrats let the American people down. As I said from the beginning, let ObamaCare implode, then deal. Watch!” (Mascaro, 7/27)
The Hill: Lawmakers Look Forward After ObamaCare Repeal Failure
Senators walked off the floor around 2 a.m. Friday after the stunning defeat of a seven-years-long pledge to repeal and replace ObamaCare, leaving the lawmakers to face one inevitable question: whats next for healthcare reform? Three main answers emerged — bipartisan committee work, stabilizing the insurance markets and administration action to change the healthcare law. (Roubein and Hellmann, 7/28)
Modern Healthcare: McCain, Murkowski, Collins Kill 'Skinny' ACA Bill
Sen. Lamar Alexander (D-Tenn.) has scheduled a hearing in the Senate committee that handles health matters, and that may be where the process begins. But it's not clear there are 12 Republicans who would be willing to spend more money to shore up a bill they have excoriated for seven years. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) said she has faith in Alexander's ability to get complex legislation done. She noted that Minnesota and Tennessee had added reinsurance to their ACA markets, and she said that should be a priority nationally. (Lee, 7/28)
