Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Senate Moves Toward Infrastructure Vote, Outlines $3.5T Companion Package
Politico: Schumer Signals Tuesday Morning Final Vote For Senate Infrastructure Package
After weeks of late nights, weekend work and angst, the Senate appears to be headed toward greenlighting its bipartisan infrastructure bill by Tuesday morning. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Monday that the package is on a "glide path for passage tomorrow morning." (Snyder, 8/9)
The Wall Street Journal: Senate Democrats Outline $3.5 Trillion Antipoverty, Climate Plan
Senate Democrats released an outline of the $3.5 trillion antipoverty and climate plan on Monday, further detailing their ambitions for a major overhaul of the nation’s education and healthcare systems that they hope to advance alongside a bipartisan infrastructure bill. The antipoverty plan is set to offer universal prekindergarten, two free years of community college, and expanded Medicare to cover hearing, dental and vision care, among other provisions. (Duehren and Davidson, 8/9)
The Washington Post: Democrats Release $3.5 Trillion Budget Blueprint As Senate Prepares To Finish Infrastructure Debate
Senate Democrats on Monday released a sweeping $3.5 trillion budget blueprint that proposes to expand Medicare, combat climate change, and boost federal child care and education programs as lawmakers prepare to take the next step toward advancing the central elements of President Biden’s economic agenda. The scope of the spending outlined by Democrats is vast, reflecting the party’s grand ambitions to grow the size and reach of the federal government to a level not seen in decades. The measure paves the way for new funding to enroll students in universal prekindergarten, help immigrants obtain legal residency and lower prescription drug prices for seniors, along with a slew of additional efforts that coincide with promises Biden and his allies made during the 2020 election campaign. (Romm, 8/9)
Politico: Dems Reveal $3.5T Budget That Sidesteps Debt Ceiling
Senate Democrats released a $3.5 trillion budget on Monday morning that doesn't tackle the imminent need to raise the debt ceiling, setting the stage for a dramatic standoff with Republicans this fall. The exclusion of debt limit language amounts to a political gamble by President Joe Biden's party, with the Treasury Department expected to run dry on its borrowing limit in the coming weeks. Senate Republicans have already warned that they won't give Democrats the votes needed to approach the issue on a bipartisan basis, which means that the debt limit's omission from the budget tees up a future cross-aisle fight over the debt. (Scholtes and Emma, 8/9)
Also —
Modern Healthcare: Senate Democrats Outline Priorities In Reconciliation Bill
Here's what healthcare industry stakeholders should know about the resolution framework: 1. The Senate Finance Committee was instructed to reduce the deficit by $1 billion over 10 years. The committee will attempt to offset costs through revenue collected from a carbon polluter import fee, reforms to corporate and international taxes, and new taxes to high-income individuals. The committee also may see billions in healthcare savings as a result of plans to lower prices of prescription drugs, according to the memo. 2. There is a goal to expand Medicaid by urging the 12 remaining states that have not yet lowered eligibility under the Affordable Care Act. This would provide insurance to 2.2 million people. (Gellman, 8/9)
CNBC: Democrats’ $3.5 Trillion Budget Plan Calls For Medicare Expansion
Health insurance for America’s older population would be expanded under a $3.5 trillion budget plan released Monday by Senate Democrats. As part of the budget blueprint, Medicare — relied on by most Americans once they reach the eligibility age of 65 — would cover dental, vision and hearing. Additionally, the age when people can sign up for the insurance would also be lowered, although it’s uncertain whether it would be age 60 as President Joe Biden has said he supports. (O'Brien, 8/9)
The Hill: Here Are The Key Parts Of Democrats' $3.5T Budget Resolution
Democrats say the massive spending framework would unlock funding for universal pre-K and tuition-free community college while making investments in public housing and clean energy efforts and expanding health care. The budget resolution greenlights funding for those priorities and lets Democrats pass them later this year in a spending package they'll be able to advance along party lines — as long as Democrats don't have defections in the House and Senate. (Folley, Sullivan, Burdryk and Evers-Hillstrom, 8/9)
ABC News: Universal Pre-K, Free Community College Tuition: What's In $3.5T Budget Bill
Unlike the bipartisan infrastructure plan, which focuses on "core" infrastructure needs such as roads bridges and waterways, the budget resolution includes many of Biden's social programs focusing on family, climate and health care. Key campaign promises, including universal pre-K, free 2-year community college, and paid family leave are included in the package, as are many of Biden's climate priorities. The bill, pushed by Senate Budget Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., also secures investments in public housing, invests in job training, adds new Medicare benefits and extends expansions of the Affordable Care Act. (Pecorin and Turner, 8/9)
