Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Republican Senator Says Tumor May Have Affected McCain's Health Vote
The Associated Press: GOP Senator Suggests Brain Tumor Affected McCain Vote
Sen. Ron Johnson suggested that fellow Republican Sen. John McCain's brain tumor and the after-midnight timing of the vote were factors in the Arizona lawmaker's decisive vote against the GOP health care bill. In a radio interview Tuesday with AM560 "Chicago's Morning Answer," Johnson answered questions about the collapse of the years-long Republican effort to repeal and replace Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act, his criticism of the process and McCain's dramatic vote. (8/9)
The Hill: Senator: Brain Tumor, Late Night May Have Influenced McCain'S Health Vote
“He has a brain tumor right now, that vote occurred at 1:30 in the morning. Some of that might have factored in,” Johnson said in an interview on 560AM, “Chicago’s Morning Answer.” (Bolton, 8/9)
Arizona Republic: Wis. Senator: McCain's Health May Have Affected His 'Obamacare' Vote
“You really think that that played a factor in his judgment call?" she asked Johnson. “Again, I don’t know exactly what – we really thought that – again I don’t want to speak for any senator,” said Johnson. “I really thought John was going to vote yes to send that to conference at 10:30 at night. By about 1 or 1:30 (in the morning), he voted no. You’d really have to talk to John about what was on his mind.” (Gilbert, 8/9)
Bloomberg: GOP Senator Backtracks On Linking McCain's Tumor To Health Vote
Senator Ron Johnson on Wednesday walked back his remarks suggesting a connection between fellow Republican Senator John McCain’s brain cancer diagnosis and his decisive vote last month against a stripped-down repeal of Obamacare. "I’m disappointed I didn’t more eloquently express my sympathy for what Sen. McCain is going through. I have nothing but respect for him and the vote came at the end of a long day for everyone," Johnson of Wisconsin said in a statement. The controversy began after Johnson told WIND-AM in Chicago, "I’m not gonna speak for John McCain -- he has a brain tumor right now -- that vote occurred at 1:30 in the morning, some of that might have factored in.” He added: "I really thought John was going to vote yes to send that to conference at 10:30 at night. By about 1, 1:30, he voted no." (Kapur, 8/9)
The Hill: McCain Aide: Brain Tumor Remark 'Bizarre And Deeply Unfortunate'
A spokesman for Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is criticizing Sen. Ron Johnson's (R-Wis.) remarks suggesting McCain's brain cancer might have been a factor in his vote against ObamaCare repeal. "It is bizarre and deeply unfortunate that Sen. Johnson would question the judgement of a colleague and friend," a McCain spokesman told NBC. (Bowden, 8/9)
