Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Repeal-And-Replace Effort Emerges As Critical Test For Dealmaker In Chief
The Washington Post: Trump Goes Into Dealmaking Mode, Works Behind The Scenes On Health Bill
For years, when President Trump pitched a new property that had his name in glittering gold letters above the door, he would throw himself into the sale: showy appearances with an entourage and a rush of boastful television interviews. But the Republican proposal to revise the Affordable Care Act is not a hotel — and Trump’s salesmanship has been understated by comparison. There is still urgency in his efforts, just markedly less Trump. And the administration is being cagey about its branding. (Costa and Weigel, 3/8)
Politico: Trump Tries To Quash Conservative Uproar Over Health Care Bill
President Donald Trump is moving to quiet conservative opposition to the House GOP Obamacare replacement, drawing on his newfound bully pulpit to pressure but also coax rebellious lawmakers. Trump on Tuesday night turned his massive Twitter following on one of the most vocal opponents of the repeal bill: conservative firebrand Sen. Rand Paul. ... Trump also told a group of 20 House GOP whips that he would use all the powers in his Oval Office arsenal to get the GOP alternative over the finish line, and he vowed to summon to the White House opponents of the bill. (Bade and Cheney, 3/8)
The Washington Post: Conservatives Meet With Trump, Who Hints That GOP ACA Fix Could Drift Further Right
Leaders of conservative groups that oppose the House Republicans’ health care bill met with President Trump at the White House on Wednesday night, part of a high-profile effort to quiet anger from the right. In the process, the conservatives heard the president and his team express some openness to tweaks to the bill that go further than House or Senate leaders might accept. Trump and his team did not outright reject changes on at least three components of the American Health Care Act, said some of the meeting’s attendees, speaking on the condition of anonymity. One idea was accelerating the timetable for key changes to Medicaid under the House GOP plan from 2020 to 2018. (Weigel and Sullivan, 3/8)
San Francisco Chronicle: GOP Health Care Bill Is Critical 1st Test For Trump
As conservatives revolt over Republican health care legislation, President Trump faces a crucial first test of his presidency: Can he translate his bully pulpit and popularity with conservative voters into a legislative win? For Trump, it is a new arena five rocky weeks into his presidency. Thus far the accomplishments he has notched have been carried out via executive authority or appointments ratified by the Senate, often overshadowed by self-inflicted distraction. (Werner and Thomas, 3/8)
Politico: Trump's Obamacare Fallback: Blame The Democrats
In a private Oval Office meeting with conservative activists Wednesday, President Donald Trump sold Paul Ryan's health care bill as strong and necessary. But minutes later, his top aides offered some willingness to consider changing some of the core provisions, even as Trump himself suggested a fallback position — that they could try again in two years, and Obamacare will fail on its own, leaving Democrats to take the blame. In other words, Trump was ready to deal. (Dawsey and Bade, 3/8)
NPR: Trump Won Big In House Conservatives' Districts — Will They Defy Him On Health Care?
Some of the most conservative members of the House are at a crossroads over the plan from GOP leadership and the White House to replace the Affordable Care Act. Those lawmakers say their choice is between supporting a bill that goes against many of their principles, or falling in line behind President Trump — who won overwhelming support in their district. (Taylor, 3/8)
Bloomberg: Trump Said To Be Open To Change In GOP Obamacare Replacement
House Republicans battling over their party’s proposed legislation to replace Obamacare say they have been told President Donald Trump is “agnostic” on the details of the plan, suggesting the current draft could face alterations. The White House budget director, Mick Mulvaney, a former House member, delivered the message Tuesday that Trump is open to alterations in a meeting with leaders of the Republican Study Committee, a group of 170 House conservatives, according to two House members and an aide in the room. (House, 3/8)
Politico: White House: Don’t Call It Trumpcare
He built his career in large part by plastering his name on skyscrapers, hotels, casinos, books, wines and steaks, but there appears to be one place President Donald Trump does not want his favorite five-letter word — the Republican health care bill. (Nussbaum and Haberkorn, 3/8)
