Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Democrats See Political Opportunity To Target Vulnerable Republicans Over Their Vote
The Hill: Pelosi On GOP Health Vote: 'This Is A Scar That They'll Carry'
Republicans may secure a major win this week when they vote to repeal and replace ObamaCare. But Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) says that victory will be short-lived.The House Democratic leader hammered the Republicans on Thursday for “maliciously … attempting to destroy healthcare” for millions of Americans. But the ultimate political benefit, she suggested, will fall on the Democrats. (Lillis, 5/4)
Politico: Manchin: Trump Voters Will Know Republicans Took Their Health Coverage Away
Sen. Joe Manchin, the centrist West Virginia Democrat, warned Thursday that the Republican health care bill will harm some of President Donald Trump’s supporters — and while they may not believe Democrats' 2010 health law gave them insurance, “they’re going to know who took it away from them.” (Conway, 5/4)
The New York Times: Republicans Get Their Health Bill. But It May Cost Them.
The victory may give potential momentum to the rest of Mr. Trump’s agenda — particularly the arduous task of rewriting the tax code — and it helps restore Mr. Ryan’s reputation, for now. ... But by leaning on members to vote for a bill that many fear will take too much health care from too many people, Mr. Ryan has exposed moderate Republicans to withering political attack, especially in the roughly two dozen districts where Hillary Clinton prevailed, but also in places where the Affordable Care Act’s popularity has been increasing. (Steinhauer, 5/4)
The Hill: Vulnerable Republicans Back ObamaCare Replacement
Several vulnerable Republican lawmakers joined their party Thursday to pass the landmark plan to repeal and replace ObamaCare through the House, casting risky votes that complicates their chances forward in the 2018 midterms. (Kamisar and Hagan, 5/4)
CNN: Democrats Sing 'Goodbye' After Vote
Democrats sang "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye" on the House floor at House Republicans after the GOP passed the American Health Care Act, which will repeal major portions of Obamacare. (5/4)
Meanwhile —
Politico: Republicans Don’t Really Like The Health Care Bill They Just Passed
Republicans have been saying this particular bill was set to pass because it’s a now-or-never situation — especially after the embarrassing collapse of the first effort in March — and they’re been finding solace in the idea that the legislation won't be the final product anyway. Rep. Luke Messer, an Indiana Republican, called it a "green flag" and a "start." (Dawsey, 5/4)
Politico: 5 Instances Of GOP Hypocrisy On Obamacare Repeal
For seven years, Republicans campaigned on a single message: Obamacare was rammed through Congress by power-hungry Democrats who rushed a hastily written bill riddled with backroom kickbacks. But now, after vowing for years that the repeal process would be different, with regular order and plenty of public scrutiny, Republicans are doing the exact same thing — or worse — that they blasted Democrats for repeatedly. Here’s how. (Caygle, 5/4)
