Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Nearly 70 Percent Of Republican Voters Want GOP To Continue Repeal Efforts
Politico: Republican Voters To GOP: Keep Working On Obamacare Repeal
The Republican base wants Senate GOP leaders to continue trying to repeal Obamacare despite recent setbacks, according to a new POLITICO/Morning Consult poll. A clear majority of Republican voters, 67 percent, want the GOP to continue to work to repeal and replace the health care law, compared to only 21 percent who want party leaders to move on. Among all voters, 40 percent want congressional Republicans to continue to work on a new health care bill, and 47 percent want them to move on. (Shepard, 7/12)
Politico Pro: Politico-Harvard Poll: Voters Are Mad About Obamacare Repeal, But Other Issues May Sway Midterms
As Republicans struggle to patch together 50 votes on an Obamacare repeal bill in the next few weeks, the poll results indicate the next congressional election may be settled by a range of issues broader than health care. President Donald Trump’s efforts to protect the country from terrorism (39 percent), his Obamacare replacement effort (37 percent) and his proposed budget (34 percent) will rank among the most important issues when considering which congressional candidate to vote for next year, said registered voters surveyed in the poll. (Millman, 7/12)
The Associated Press: Analysis: GOP Confronts No-Win Situation On Health Care
Republicans find themselves in a no-win situation as they struggle to pass health care legislation in the Senate: Success could alienate a majority of the population, but failure could anger the crucial group of GOP base voters the party relies on to build election victories. (7/12)
Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who is up for reelection in 2020, could feel the ramifications from any potential failure —
The Hill: McConnell’s Health Gambit Ripples In Kentucky
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is in a dicey spot in more ways than one when it comes to the Senate’s healthcare bill. If the Kentucky Republican fails in his effort to repeal and replace ObamaCare, his reputation as a master tactician of the Senate will take a hit, with lawmakers second-guessing his decisions on drawing up a bill largely behind closed doors. (Roubein, 7/12)
