Relief Work Extends To Weekend; White House Aides Avert Trump Demand

The Washington Post: Trump Wanted $2,000 Stimulus Checks But Aides Talked Him Out Of Last-Minute Demand 
White House aides intervened Thursday to prevent President Trump from issuing a statement calling for substantially larger stimulus payments for millions of Americans, according to two people who spoke on the condition of anonymity to share details of the private exchange. On a phone call Thursday afternoon, Trump told allies that he believes stimulus payments in the next relief package should be “at least” $1,200 per person and possibly as big as $2,000 per person, the officials said. Congressional leadership is preparing a stimulus package that would provide checks of $600 per person. (Stein, 12/17)

The New York Times: Congress Drops State Aid To Secure Stimulus, A Challenge For Biden
As lawmakers race to put the final touches on a $900 billion bipartisan stimulus package, one thing is becoming clear: Congress has left a significant challenge for the incoming president, Joseph R. Biden Jr., and his efforts to revive the faltering economy. To seal the deal after months of struggle, lawmakers agreed to exclude a direct stream of money for state and local governments, which Republicans objected to as a blue state “bailout” but Democrats said was needed to prevent job cuts and economic pain. (Tankersley and Cochrane, 12/17)

The Hill: Congress Set To Blow Past Shutdown Deadline Amid Coronavirus Talks 
Congress is barreling toward a rare weekend session as lawmakers race to wrap up a sweeping agreement to fund the government and provide badly needed coronavirus relief. Leadership is homing in on a deal that would attach roughly $900 billion in coronavirus relief to a $1.4 trillion bill to fund the government until Oct. 1, 2021, in what is the last major piece of legislation Congress needs to pass before it wraps up its work for the year. (Carney, 12/17)

AP: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’: All I Want For Christmas Is A COVID Relief Bill 
Congress appears to be inching ever closer to agreement on a long-delayed COVID-19 relief bill, which would extend unemployment insurance and other emergency programs set to expire in the next several days. That bill, however, apparently will not include the top-priority items for both political parties: business liability protections supported by Republicans and aid to states and localities sought by Democrats. The bill is likely to be part of a giant spending bill to keep the federal government funded for the rest of the fiscal year. And it might include a last-minute surprise: legislation to put an end to “surprise” medical bills sent to patients who inadvertently obtain care outside their insurance network. (12/17)

Also —

The Washington Post: The Biggest American Companies Have Turned Profits, Laid Off Workers During The Pandemic 
As the coronavirus pandemic devastated small businesses and plunged millions of Americans into poverty this summer and fall, executives at some of the country’s largest corporations sounded surprisingly upbeat. “I don’t think we’ve ever been more excited or energized about our prospects,” PayPal finance chief John Rainey said on a November conference call. “These are times when the strong can get stronger,” Nike chief John Donahoe told analysts in September. ... Despite their success, at least 27 of the 50 largest firms held layoffs this year, collectively cutting more than 100,000 workers, The Post found. (MacMilan, Whoriskey and O'Connell, 12/16)

KHN: Pandemic-Related Paid Sick Days And Leave To Expire Dec. 31 — With No Extension In Sight 
Like tens of millions of other parents nationwide, Jonathan and Sara Sadowski struggle to assist their four children, ages 5 to 11, with their online schooling at home. In addition, their eldest child, who has cerebral palsy and is in a wheelchair, needs special care. So to help the kids and keep them safe — especially their oldest child — Jonathan opted to take 12 weeks of paid leave from his teaching job under a program authorized by an emergency federal law enacted in March. (Findlay, 12/18)

In other legislative news —

The Hill: Clyburn: We May Need A 9/11-Like Commission On COVID-19 Response 
House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) said Thursday that the federal response to the coronavirus pandemic may require a commission similar to the one that investigated the leadup to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Clyburn discussed the idea with MSNBC’s Chuck Todd, following the disclosure of emails in which White House pushed a strategy of “herd immunity” in response to the virus. (Budryk, 12/17)

Modern Healthcare: Lawmakers Left Hospital, Insurer Contract Guardrails Out Of Year-End Proposal
Congress' end-of-year spending legislation is still in flux, but eight lawmakers that lead key committees didn't ask to curb gag clauses or various types of clauses that would make it difficult for plans to steer consumers to lower-cost or higher-quality providers. The practices targeted in a prior bipartisan healthcare reform package titled the Lower Health Care Costs Act are widespread, but have gained renewed attention since California Attorney General Xavier Becerra was chosen as President-elect Joe Biden's nominee for HHS secretary. Becerra sued Sutter Health for anticompetitive practices similar to those the legislation was designed to stop. (Cohrs, 12/17)