Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Senate Republicans Reluctant To Tinker With Medicare, Despite House GOP's Eagerness
Politico: GOP's Medicare Plans Run Into Wall In The Senate
The GOP’s dream of privatizing parts of Medicare is running up against resistance among Senate Republicans. Interviews with more than a dozen GOP lawmakers reveal they’re not planning to pursue big changes to the popular health care program for seniors — at least not in the first year of the Trump administration. That hesitation starts with the chairman who would lead any overhaul in the Senate. (Haberkorn and Cancryn, 12/2)
The Associated Press: Senate GOP Shies From Fight Over Medicare
Congressional Democrats are warning that Speaker Paul Ryan and President-elect Donald Trump are gunning for Medicare — and they are rubbing their hands in glee at the prospect of an epic political battle over the government's flagship health program that covers 57 million Americans. It turns out that Republicans, especially in the Senate, are not spoiling for a fight. (Taylor, 12/2)
Reuters: Senator Warns Against Simultaneous Overhaul Of Medicare And Obamacare
A senior U.S. Senate Republican warned his party on Thursday against simultaneously overhauling Medicare and the Obamacare health insurance program, saying this would be "biting off more than you can chew." The cautionary comments from Senator Lamar Alexander came after House Speaker Paul Ryan, long an advocate of privatize Medicare, said Republican lawmakers would be discussing reforms of the health insurance program for the elderly with President-elect Donald Trump's administration. (Cornwell, 12/1)
The Hill: Ryan Defends Medicare Plan Amid Dem Attacks
Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) on Thursday defended his plan for overhauling Medicare amid escalating attacks from Democrats. Ryan dismissed the criticism, calling it “the latest wave of Democratic talking points to try and play ‘Mediscare' politics, which is what they typically do every other Tuesday. ”The Speaker has long called for transitioning Medicare to a “premium support” system, where seniors would get a set amount of money from the government to help them buy health coverage from a private insurance company or from traditional Medicare. (Sullivan, 12/1)
The Kansas City Star: Stop 'Medi-Scare' Tactics, Speaker Paul Ryan Urges Democrats
Medicare needs to be revamped, House Speaker Paul Ryan emphasized Thursday, as he blasted Democrats for insisting Republicans are planning a war on seniors. (Lightman, 12/1)
The Associated Press: Key House Chairman: GOP Will Change Medicare, To 'Save' It
The chairman of a key House committee is pledging that congressional Republicans will change Medicare in order to save it. GOP Rep. Kevin Brady of Texas, head of the Ways and Means Committee, insisted Thursday that Republicans won't be deterred by the politics, even though Donald Trump won election as president on promises to protect the popular health care program for older Americans, and Democrats are already warning of a "war on seniors." (Werner, 12/2)
McClatchy: Trump's Team Wants To Privatize These 4 Government Programs
Donald Trump was not the kind of presidential candidate who lays out the finer details of his policies on the campaign trail. Now, as the president-elect assembles his government, the people he is choosing to run it provide a clearer picture of the policies his administration will pursue. Among them are a lot of plans to privatize government programs, including Medicare, services provided by the Veterans Affairs department, college loans and infrastructure projects. (Bergengruen, 12/1)
Health News Florida: Deadline Looming For Medicare Annual Election Period
There's less than a week left in the Annual Election Period for Floridians enrolled in Medicare to change their plans. Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 is when Medicare enrollees can change their Medicare plans and prescription drug coverage for the following year to better meet their health and financial needs. (Miller, 12/1)
In other news from Capitol Hill —
The Hill: Walden To Head Powerful Energy And Commerce Committee
Republicans have elected Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) the next chairman of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee. Walden defeated Reps. John Shimkus (R-Ill.) and Joe Barton (R-Texas), the former committee chairman, in the race for the gavel. Current chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.), is stepping down from the position due to term limits. (Henry and Wong, 12/1)
