Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Public Blame For GOP Health Bill Debacle Falling On Ryan's Shoulders, Poll Suggests
The Wall Street Journal: Poll Suggests Health-Care Fiasco Hurt Paul Ryan’s Standing Among Voters
House Speaker Paul Ryan has a lower job approval rating than President Donald Trump in a new survey released Monday by the Pew Research Center. Less than a month since the collapse of the House GOP health-care bill, only 29% of those surveyed by Pew approved of Mr. Ryan’s job performance, compared to 39% for Mr. Trump — itself a historically low rating for a new president. (Peterson and Ballhaus, 4/17)
Kaiser Health News: Florida Congressman Draws Jeers At Home For Backing Failed GOP Health Care Plan
A Republican congressman who in 2010 lost both legs after stepping on a roadside bomb in Afghanistan told an occasionally raucous town hall meeting here that he supports his party’s push to repeal the Affordable Care Act because Americans should be free to go without health care if they so choose. “There are positives and negatives” in the health law known as Obamacare, said Rep. Brian Mast, who noted he gets his health care from the Veterans Health Administration. “I’m not going to pretend this is the easiest thing to work through. (Galewitz, 4/17)
Politico Pro: Barton's District Confronts The Impact Of Repealing Obamacare
Rep. Joe Barton, a vocal Obamacare opponent, is trying to thread the needle. Now given the chance to blow up Obamacare, Barton is telling constituents back home about how he would like to fix problems with the health care law that — despite its unpopularity in deep red Texas — has quietly helped people in his district. (Rayasam, 4/17)
The Fiscal Times: Why Congress Goes For The "Gold" When They Sign Up For Obamacare
Irate voters, worried that the health care reform efforts of President Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) would jeopardize their health care coverage, complained at town hall meetings during the current two-week recess that their representatives were leaving them in the lurch. Some resentful voters have also demanded to know who is paying for the health care insurance of members of Congress and their families and whether they stand to lose benefits if the current health insurance laws are dismantled by the GOP. (Pianin, 4/17)
