Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Push For Single-Payer Health Care System Is Likely Difference Between Sanders And Clinton
Politico: Bernie Sanders’ Senate Colleagues Stunned By His Ascent
Bernie Sanders’ Senate colleagues have come to know him as a bit player in the Democratic Caucus, a gruff, rumpled protest voice to the left of even the most liberal senators. Now the Vermont socialist is drawing crowds by the thousands seemingly everywhere he goes — and his cohorts in D.C. can hardly believe it. ... When President Barack Obama came into office and pushed his health care bill, Sanders was a rare voice publicly calling for a single-payer, Medicare-for-all type system. (Raju and Everett, 7/13)
The Wall Street Journal: Hillary Clinton Economic Plan To Chart Center-Left Course
Hillary Clinton is preparing to lay out an economic plan that seeks a center-left ideological course, rejecting ideas put forth by Republican presidential contenders but striking a contrast with her party’s liberal wing. ... To address income inequality, Mrs. Clinton will call for raising the minimum wage, increasing taxes on the wealthy, boosting the power of unions and reducing health-care costs. She also is likely to propose some new rules governing Wall Street. ... She is unlikely to propose breaking up Wall Street banks or installing a single-payer health-care system. A wholesale expansion of Social Security, as many on the left would like, is unexpected as well. (Meckler, 7/12)
Quad City (Iowa) Times: Rubio Says Changes To Social Security, Medicare Needed
Republican presidential hopeful Marco Rubio argued Thursday the only way to bring down the federal debt is to change Social Security and Medicare for younger generations. ... Rubio, who is 44, proposed raising Social Security retirement age by a year, and he said people may see their benefit grow more slowly than it did for previous generations. He added Medicare may involve buying a private plan. "These are not draconian changes," he said. Social Security and Medicare were once thought to be politically untouchable, but in this year's race for the Republican presidential nomination, they are being mentioned more often. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie also has called for changes. (Tibbetts, 7/11)
The Associated Press: Walker To Remind Voters Of Union Wins As He Enters 2016 Race
Walker cut income and corporate taxes by nearly $2 billion, lowered property taxes, legalized the carrying of concealed weapons, made abortions more difficult to obtain, required photo identification when voting and made Wisconsin a right-to-work state. ... Walker also talks about how the 2011 union law saved taxpayers $3 billion as of late 2014, saying state and local governments have used "tools" he provided them to reduce spending on pensions and health benefits for public employees. (7/13)
On the congressional side, Indiana's Senate race is shaping up -
The Associated Press: Rep. Young Joins Indiana Senate Race To Succeed Coats
Young has worked to try to repeal the Affordable Care Act and points to a bill that would increase the number of hours an employee has to work before an employer must offer health insurance under the act as one of the achievements he’s proudest of. The bill has passed the House but hasn’t been considered by the Senate. (Coyne, 7/12)
