Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Negotiations About Overhaul Of VA Health System Stand In Way Of Debt-Limit Deal
The Wall Street Journal: Debt-Limit Talks Hit More Snags: VA Health Care, GOP Demands On Spending
Negotiations to raise the U.S. government’s borrowing limit and set overall federal spending levels face at least two more hurdles: how to pay for an overhaul of veterans’ health care; and Republican demands to offset spending increases. Congress and the Trump administration have days to reach an agreement on the must-pass measures. The House leaves Washington for an August recess at the end of next week, and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin warned last week that the U.S. could breach its debt limit in early September, before lawmakers return to the Capitol. (Duehren, 7/16)
The Hill: Mnuchin Says Debt Ceiling Deal 'Close'
On Saturday night, Pelosi suggested in a letter to Mnuchin that the caps deal should include a budget adjustment for the VA MISSION act. Democrats have fretted over a GOP decision to count the $9 billion in costs associated with the act under the budget cap, which would require offsetting the spending. In her letter, Pelosi reiterated the request that the costs of the program not count toward the cap while maintaining parity in defense and nondefense increases. (Samuels, 7/15)
