Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Koch-Backed Group Disappointed By GOP Plan: 'We Were Caught Flat-Footed' Over Lack Of Full Repeal
Reuters: Conservative Koch Network Criticizes U.S. Senate Healthcare Bill
Officials with the conservative U.S. political network overseen by the Koch brothers say they are unhappy with the healthcare bill that may be voted on by the Senate this week and will lobby for changes to it. At a weekend event with conservative donors, top aides to Charles Koch, the billionaire energy magnate, said the Senate bill does not go far enough to dismantle former President Barack Obama's signature healthcare law, also known as Obamacare. (Oliphant, 6/25)
Politico: Koch-Backed Group Calls Health Fight In Congress 'Humbling'
The head of the the Koch brothers-backed Americans for Prosperity admitted to donors on Sunday that the group was caught “flat-footed" by the fight in Congress to replace Obamacare, as the group seeks to influence Republican proposals it says do not go far enough to repeal the 2010 law. “We fully expected a repeal vote,” Americans for Prosperity President Tim Phillips told hundreds of donors at the Koch network’s annual seminar at the Broadmoor Resort. “We were caught flat-footed when it didn’t happen." (Robillard, 6/25)
The Washington Post: Koch Network Withholding Support Of Senate Health-Care Bill, Pushing For Changes
“In all candor, we’ve been disappointed that movement is not more dramatic toward a full repeal or rollback (of the Affordable Care Act). But we’re not walking away,” said Tim Phillips, the president of Americans for Prosperity. “We still think this can get done, but the Senate bill needs to get better.” (Hohmann, 6/24)
Los Angeles Times: Conservatives At Koch Summit Outline Changes To Senate Healthcare Bill To Win Their Support
One key lawmaker attending the weekend summit at the luxurious Broadmoor Hotel, Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), the chairman of the House Freedom Caucus and a chief negotiator on the House bill, outlined two key changes to the bill that he said could likely win enough conservative support for passage. (Mascaro, 6/25)
Roll Call: Kochs To Challenge GOP Senators On Health Bill
The organization said it plans to spend $300 to $400 million in the 2018 midterm elections. (Garcia, 6/26)
