Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Senate Preps For Marathon Of Debate On Revised Covid Stimulus Bill
Politico: Biden Strikes Stimulus Deal With Senate Democrats
Senate Democrats and President Joe Biden settled a last-minute debate over Biden's $1.9 trillion pandemic relief bill on Wednesday, choosing to keep federal unemployment benefit payments at $400 per week but narrow the phaseout of the measure's $1,400 stimulus checks. The breakthrough came just hours before debate was expected to kick off on the bill. But a delayed response from the Congressional Budget Office on its budgetary impacts punted the first test vote on the legislation to Thursday. The Senate is waiting for the CBO to confirm that its bill doesn’t run afoul of the rules of budget reconciliation, the process that allows passage of the package with a simple majority. (Everett and Emma, 3/3)
NBC News: Biden, Senate Democrats Agree To Limit Eligibility For $1,400 Checks
Senate Democrats plan to give $1,400 checks to fewer people under a deal struck with President Joe Biden, according to two sources familiar with it. Every American who filed individually and makes up to $75,000 would still get the full amount before it begins to reduce at incomes above that. But rather than zero out at $100,000 earnings, as the last Covid-19 relief bill does, the Senate bill would cut off payments at $80,000, the sources said. (Kapur, Thorp V, Haake and Caldwell, 3/3)
Roll Call: Draft Senate Aid Plan Would Cut Direct Funds To Cities, Counties
A new version of Senate Democrats' coronavirus relief plan would put new restrictions on some $350 billion in aid to states and localities while diverting $10 billion of the money for cities and counties to "critical capital projects" like broadband access. (Krawzak, 3/3)
CBS News: Third Stimulus Check: Will You Get A Stimulus Check — And How Much?
President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan would provide a third round of federal stimulus checks to millions of Americans. Yet a new agreement between Mr. Biden and moderate Democratic Senators would limit the number of households that would qualify for the $1,400 checks, cutting off millions of other Americans who had been hoping for the stimulus money. Under the pending deal, confirmed by CBS News, the $1,400 direct payments would begin to phase out at $75,000 for individuals, but would cut off eligibility for single people earning more than $80,000. For couples who file jointly, the phase-out will begin for those making $150,000 and end at $160,000. (Picchi, 3/3)
The Hill: Senate Coronavirus Bill Delayed Until Thursday
The Senate won't take up its coronavirus relief bill until Thursday, as Democrats wait to get the green light that the legislation complies with arcane budget rules. The chamber had been expected to vote to proceed to the sweeping $1.9 trillion bill on Wednesday, but a Senate Democratic aide said they are still waiting for guidance from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) that it complies with reconciliation rules that let them bypass the 60-vote filibuster. The Senate then subsequently wrapped until noon on Thursday afternoon. (Carney, 3/3)
Also —
Stat: Health Care Lobbyists Score Wins In Senate Covid-19 Relief Package
Health care industry lobbying groups are poised to score big wins in the Senate version of President Biden’s Covid-19 relief package, according to draft text of the bill obtained by STAT. Senators will add $8.5 billion to help rural health care providers with costs related to the Covid-19 pandemic, which was not included in the House version of the package, according to a draft of the bill circulating among lobbyists and a Senate Democratic aide. (Cohrs, 3/3)
Health News Florida: House, Senate Show Differences On COVID-19 Liability Bills
A House panel on Tuesday voted 12-6 to approve legislation that would protect nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospitals and physicians from lawsuits related to COVID-19. (Sexton, 3/3)
