Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Rumors And Rhetoric Run Rampant After Vote, But What's The Truth?
The New York Times: Fact Check: Rumors, Claims And Context On G.O.P. Health Bill
Rumors that the Republican health care bill counts rape, domestic violence and ulcers as uninsurable pre-existing conditions are circulating among opponents of the bill. But these claims are overly simplistic. (Qiu, 5/5)
The Associated Press Fact Check: Squishy Claims Follow Health Care Bill
They promised you a rose garden, from the Rose Garden. This past week, President Donald Trump and Republicans legislators celebrated passage of a House bill seeking to replace the Affordable Care Act. At a White House event, they heaped praise on their effort and brushed off worries that health coverage could be imperiled for many people if the Senate is persuaded to go along with the legislation. (5/6)
The Associated Press Fact Check: Are Pregnancy, Rape Pre-Existing Conditions?
Pregnancy, sexual assault and domestic violence could be considered "pre-existing conditions" that make it hard to keep insurance coverage under the Republican health care bill, according to a number of news articles and social media posts. The bill doesn't specifically refer to any of these things, and headlines suggesting that it does are misleading. (5/5)
The Washington Post: Despite Critics’ Claims, The GOP Health Bill Doesn’t Classify Rape Or Sexual Assault As A Preexisting Condition
Advocates and media reports highlighted individual stories of survivors of sexual assault or rape claiming they were denied coverage because of conditions relating to the abuse. One prominent example is Christina Turner, former insurance underwriter who was prescribed anti-AIDS medicine as a precaution after she was sexually assaulted. Turner, then 45 years old, was quoted in news reports in October 2009 saying she was unable to obtain insurance coverage because insurers told her that the HIV medication raised too many health concerns. Recent media coverage all linked back to one Huffington Post article, even though health coverage has changed since then. (Lee, 5/6)
The Washington Post Fact Checker: Decoding HHS Secretary Price’s Spin On The American Health Care Act
Price defended the American Health Care Act, the House GOP plan to overhaul health-care system, in an interview with CNN. We’re going to focus on two statements in particular because they are rather misleading. (Kessler, 5/8)
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: New Healthcare Bill 2017: List Of Pre Existing Conditions
One of the biggest criticisms of the new revamped health care bill is that it could weaken protections for those with pre-existing conditions, health conditions patients have before the date their new health coverage goes into effect. Some of these pre-existing conditions could include pregnancy, menstrual irregularities, cancer or sleep apnea. (Pirani, 5/5)
