Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Multiple Proposals Stymie Relief Bill
Modern Healthcare: Bipartisan COVID-19 Relief Framework Includes $35 Billion In Provider Grants
A COVID-19 relief framework created by a bipartisan group of centrist lawmakers includes $35 billion in relief grants for healthcare providers. The legislative summary, dated Wednesday, still leaves the thorny issues of liability protections and state and local aid unresolved. Prior slimmed-down COVID-19 relief bills advanced by Senate Republicans had cut out more money for the Provider Relief Fund. HHS has distributed roughly $109 billion of the $175 billion Congress has allocated to the Provider Relief Fund as of mid-November, according to data released by the department. Some prominent health systems, including HCA Healthcare, have returned grant money. (Cohrs, 12/9)
The Wall Street Journal: Lawmakers Weigh Competing Covid-19 Aid Proposals
A flurry of competing proposals for another coronavirus relief package ricocheted around the Capitol Wednesday, as lawmakers hunted for ways to resolve a thorny debate over liability protections that has stymied progress for weeks. A bipartisan group was still working late Wednesday to craft an agreement over some form of legal protections for businesses, schools and other entities operating during the pandemic, the single most stubborn roadblock for lawmakers eager to reach a deal on emergency relief. While lawmakers broadly agree with the White House that a new aid package is needed—and even on its rough price tag of just over $900 billion—compromise on the liability provision has long remained elusive. (Peterson and Duehren, 12/9)
The Hill: Momentum Stalls For COVID-19 Relief Bill
Momentum appeared to stall Wednesday on a COVID-19 relief bill amid differences not only between the parties, but between Senate Republicans and the White House over what should be included in the legislation. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) accused Democratic leaders of blocking progress, casting doubt on reaching a deal this week. (Bolton and Jagoda, 12/9)
Politico: Mnuchin Pushes Relief Checks Over Jobless Aid
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Wednesday defended the Trump administration’s proposal to send one-time relief checks to millions of Americans rather than pouring more money into federal unemployment benefits, calling it a better way to get aid to struggling households. “We obviously want to get people back to work,” Mnuchin told reporters in a virtual gathering. “By sending out checks, we’re putting money into the economy for people. This will have the impact of creating demand, which will have the impact of creating jobs. We want to get people their jobs back.” (Guida, 12/9)
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Politico: 'Dear God, Stop The Nonsense': Chicago Mayor Unloads On McConnell Over Covid Relief
Mayor Lori Lightfoot lashed out at Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Wednesday for pushing a stimulus proposal that would largely leave cities and states empty-handed, and urged her party to dig in. "I hope what Democrats in Congress will say is, 'Over my dead body,’” the mayor during a press briefing to talk about plans to distribute the vaccine for Covid-19 in Chicago. “Every single town and municipality in this country is hurting. Blue, red, purple; independent mayors, Republican mayors, Democratic mayors.” (Kapos, 12/9)
PBS NewsHour: Americans Want More COVID-19 Economic Relief. Most Think Congress Should Compromise
With a number of coronavirus relief programs set to expire at the end of the year, 40 percent of Americans say they or someone in their household has lost a job or income due to the coronavirus. Congressional efforts to extend billions of dollars in aid to struggling Americans have been deadlocked for months, despite the fact that 66 percent of Americans say it is more important for government officials to compromise to find solutions than to stand on principle, even if that means gridlock. Late Tuesday, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he had discussed a $916 billion COVID-19 relief plan with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi that would reportedly include a one-time $600 payment to most Americans but would not revive an enhanced $300 per week unemployment benefit. (Santhanam, 12/9)
