Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Obama: It Requires Courage To Champion The Vulnerable And The Sick
The Associated Press: Obama Urges Congress To Show 'Courage' On Health Care
Former President Barack Obama, in his first public comments about the ongoing debate over his signature health care plan, implored members of Congress on Sunday to demonstrate political courage even if it goes against their party's positions. Obama briefly returned to the spotlight as he accepted the annual John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award at JFK's presidential library in Boston. (5/7)
USA Today: In Speech, Obama Takes Aim At Trump, Republicans
Recalling the early fights in Congress for ACA at the beginning of his presidency, Obama on Sunday also took a jab at President Trump’s comment to governors last February, when Trump told them, "Nobody knew health care could be so complicated." Obama got a laugh on Sunday, telling the crowd, “There was a reason why healthcare reform had not been accomplished before: it was hard.” (Toppo, 5/7)
The Hill: Obama Hopes ‘Political Courage’ Can Save Healthcare
“I hope that current members of Congress recall that it actually doesn’t take a lot of courage to aid those who are already powerful … but it does require some courage to champion the vulnerable and the sick and the infirm and those who often have no access to the corridors of power." (Master, 5/2)
Politico: Obama Urges 'Political Courage' To Save Affordable Care Act
Citing those who lost their seats after voting for the healthcare law in 2010, Obama described his “fervent hope” that current members “recognize it takes little courage to aid those who are already powerful, already comfortable, already influential — but it takes some courage to champion the vulnerable and the sick and the infirm, those who often have no access to the corridors of power.” (Dovere, 5/7)
The Wall Street Journal: Obama Calls For Defending The Affordable Care Act
After Mr. Obama signed the ACA in March 2010, the midterm elections that November wiped out Democrats at nearly all levels of government. In the House, 63 Democratic seats were won by Republicans, giving the GOP a majority it has held ever since. (Epstein, 5/7)
Reuters: Obama Voices 'Fervent Hope' Congress Will Tread Carefully On Healthcare
"As everyone here now knows, this great debate is not settled but continues," Obama said. "And it is my fervent hope, and the hope of millions that, regardless of party, such courage is still possible." "That today's members of Congress, regardless of party, are willing to look at the facts and speak the truth even when it contradicts party positions." (Malone, 5/7)
