Pence Says GOP Will Repeal Health Law ‘Lock, Stock And Barrel’
In addition, the vice president-elect said Republicans plan to push legislation to move Medicaid funding to block grants for states to give them more flexibility. Also on Capitol Hill, Democrats are gearing up for a fight on GOP plans to overhaul Medicare, a fact checker questions some Democratic lawmakers' claims about a veterans group, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell seeks funding for a coal miners' health program and negotiations break down on a child nutrition standards bill.
Roll Call:
Pence Signals Busy First 100 Days, Including More Military Spending
Trump administration officials envision a busy first 100 days, when they hope to repeal the 2010 health care law, overhaul Medicaid, and send Congress a bill that would boost military spending, said Vice President-elect Mike Pence. ... He vowed that the Trump administration will repeal the health care law “lock, stock and barrel,” adding “the No. 1 priority of the administration is to keep that promise to the American people.” He did not, however, describe what the GOP would replace it with, saying only that the party will propose “free-market reforms that reduce the costs of health care without growing the size of government.” (Bennett, 12/6)
Boston Globe:
Democrats Relish Battle With GOP Over Medicare
Now, a new fight over the popular entitlement program is shaping up to be an early battle between Democrats on one side and Trump and the Republicans on the other. Battered Democrats and their allies, in need of political reinvigoration after Trump and Republicans stunned them in last month’s elections, are readying their powerful, emotional lobbying efforts to stave off changes in Medicare.(McGrane, 12/7)
The Washington Post Fact Checker:
Democrats’ Misleading Claim That Concerned Veterans For America Wants To ‘Privatize’ VA
The two Democrats, who serve on the Senate and House committees on veterans affairs, are resurrecting the stale Democratic talking point that Concerned Veterans for America wants to “privatize” the Department of Veterans Affairs. Concerned Veterans for America, or CVA, is a veterans advocacy group in the Koch brothers’ political network and has been one of the most vocal critics of VA since the 2014 wait-time scandal. (Lee, 12/7)
Morning Consult:
McConnell Insists On Extending Coal Miners’ Health Benefits In Funding Bill
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday he is pushing to include an extension of health benefits for retired coal miners in a must-pass government funding measure. More than 16,000 retired coal miners stand to lose their health benefits at the end of the year. The Kentucky Republican, speaking on the Senate floor, said he has spoken with House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) about addressing the issue in a continuing resolution to extend government funding past Friday. (Reid, 12/6)
CQ HealthBeat:
Child Nutrition Reauthorization Bill Punted to Next Congress
Reauthorization of a child nutrition law will have to wait for the next Congress. The Senate Agriculture chairman announced Tuesday that negotiations could not overcome concerns by some Democrats or resolve differences with House legislation for school lunch and other programs that feed millions of children. "We are nearing the end of this legislative calendar, and we have not been able to overcome minority objections and additionally those in the House,” said Chairman Pat Roberts in a statement. "It is unfortunate that certain parochial interests and the desire for issues rather than solutions were put ahead of the well being of vulnerable and at-risk populations and the need for reform.'' (Ferguson, 12/6)
