Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
'Lot Of People Are Talking' But No Discernible Movement Being Made For New Health Vote
Bloomberg: House GOP Weighing Another Try On Obamacare Vote Next Week
House Republicans are considering making another run next week at passing the health-care bill they abruptly pulled from the floor in an embarrassing setback to their efforts to repeal Obamacare. Two Republican lawmakers say that leaders are discussing holding a vote, even staying into the weekend if necessary, but it’s unclear what changes would be made to the GOP’s health bill. They described the discussions on condition of anonymity. (House and Kapur, 3/29)
The Hill: GOP Revival Of Healthcare Repeal Makes Little Progress
House Republicans insist they aren’t leaving for dead their effort to repeal ObamaCare. But days after failing to move the American Health Care Act forward, there are no discernible signs of progress in bridging the differences within the Republican conference that led to an embarrassing retreat last week. Some centrist GOP lawmakers are pushing back on reviving the House bill, which GOP leaders and President Trump moved to the right in a bid to win over the conservative House Freedom Caucus. (Sullivan, 3/30)
CQ HealthBeat: Some Republicans Want To Keep Trying On Health Care Repeal
Leadership has yet to make any concrete decisions on the path forward for health care after pulling a bill last week (HR 1628) that would have partially repealed and replaced the 2010 health care law. The House Energy and Commerce Committee, however, has set up a members-only meeting for Thursday to discuss the path forward for the effort to repeal and replace the law, aides and lobbyists told CQ. (McPherson, 3/29)
Denver Post: As Republicans Push For A Health Care Re-Do, Uncertainty Lingers For Colorado Insurers
Colorado Republican U.S. Rep. Ken Buck on Wednesday said he wants to see the GOP’s left-for-dead health care overhaul resuscitated for a vote within the next month, while a health care consultant warned that the lingering uncertainty around national health policy will probably scare even more insurers away from the coverage exchanges. The comments are a sign that the storm clouds looming above the Affordable Care Act won’t be blowing over anytime soon, despite the failure of congressional Republicans to move forward last week with their national health care plan. (Ingold, 3/29)
Arizona Republic: Arizona Freedom Caucus Members Still Want 'Obamacare' Repeal
The bill's failure was a blow to President Donald Trump's legislative agenda and set off days of finger-pointing, including at conservative Republicans for, as some critics viewed it, doing Democrats a favor by withholding support for the bill. The White House and Ryan indicated they hope for another shot at the issue. But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said his chamber isn't planning to tackle it. (Hansen and Nowicki, 3/29)
The Associated Press: Republican Foes Of Health Care Bill Win Praise In Districts
One of the House Republican rebels, Kentucky Rep. Tom Massie, wasn't just "no" on the GOP health care bill to replace Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act. Massie was "hell no." That won over Mary Broecker, president of the Oldham County Republican Women's Club and a strong proponent of a full-blown repeal of the 2010 law. "When he came out against this bill, I thought, 'I trust him so this must be the right way,'" the 76-year-old retired teacher said of Massie this week as she sat at a coffee shop near her LaGrange home. (Beaumont and Lovan, 3/30)
