Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Obama Lambastes Repeal Plan: There's A 'Fundamental Meanness At The Core Of This Legislation'
The Washington Post: ‘Meanness At The Core:’ Obama Jumps Back Into Political Fray To Slam Trump, GOP On Health Care
The plan is “not a health care bill,” Obama declared in a 939-word message to his nearly 53 million followers on Facebook. “It’s a massive transfer of wealth from middle-class and poor families to the richest people in America.” The 44th president did not mention his successor, Donald Trump, but his scathing criticism and urgent tone — imploring his supporters to speak out against the “fundamental meanness at the core of this legislation” — set up a direct public fight with the current White House occupant over the future of the nation’s health care system. (Nakamura, 6/22)
Politico: Obama Says Senate Health Care Bill Has 'Fundamental Meanness'
"Simply put, if there’s a chance you might get sick, get old, or start a family — this bill will do you harm,” he added. “And small tweaks over the course of the next couple weeks, under the guise of making these bills easier to stomach, cannot change the fundamental meanness at the core of this legislation.” (Conway, 6/22)
The Hill: Obama Slams 'Fundamental Meanness' Of Senate Healthcare Bill
Obama’s assertion of the bill’s “meanness” echoes remarks from President Trump, who reportedly told GOP senators at a meeting last week that the House measure was “mean” and that the Senate bill should be more generous. (Greenwood, 6/22)
