Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Stimulus Bill Finally Passes
USA Today: Congress Approves COVID Relief, Sends Bill To Trump
After weeks of painstaking negotiation and months of partisan finger-pointing, the Senate resoundingly passed a sweeping COVID-19 relief package Monday, sending a bill to President Donald Trump to sign that will send millions of Americans direct payments and rescue thousands of small businesses nationwide struggling to stay open in the face of the pandemic's suffocating grip. The roughly $900 billion measure was attached to a $1.4 trillion spending bill to fund the federal government through Sept. 30, 2021 (the end of the fiscal year) to form a nearly 5,600 page-bill that is one of the largest pieces of legislation Congress has ever tackled. It also includes bipartisan provisions like the end of surprise medical billing and legislation creating Smithsonian museums for women and Latinos. (King and Wu, 12/21)
The New York Times: Congress Rushes To Pass Huge Coronavirus Relief Bill
Congress on Monday night overwhelmingly approved a $900 billion stimulus package that would send billions of dollars to American households and businesses grappling with the economic and health toll of the pandemic. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said hundreds of dollars in direct payments could begin reaching individual Americans as early as next week. (Cochrane, 12/21)
The Washington Post: Stimulus Check: Calculate How Much You Will Receive From The New Stimulus Package
A bipartisan deal reached Sunday will provide $600 payments to adults with annual incomes up to $75,000, plus another $600 per child. Some Americans earning more than $75,000 will also receive money if they meet certain qualifications outlined below. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he hopes to start sending out payments the last week in December. Use the calculator below to see how much you should receive. Under that, see answers to frequently asked questions. (Long, Still and Shapiro, 12/21)
In related news on the stimulus bill —
The Washington Post: Biden's Push For More Covid Relief Sets Up Like Clash With GOP
Republicans brimmed with pride over the $900 billion stimulus package taken up by Congress on Monday, with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell calling it “a historic bipartisan rescue package” and Sen. Dan Sullivan (Alaska) predicting it would be remembered when “the history of this challenging year is written.” President-elect Joe Biden saw it differently, calling the deal merely a “down payment.” Biden’s assessment, made repeatedly in recent weeks, echoes the view of many Democrats who see the bill as the beginning of a negotiation, not the end. The notion that more aid is necessary — Biden at times has said talks should start as early as January — sets up perhaps the first major legislative test for the new president and his self-proclaimed negotiating skills. (Linskey and DeBonis, 12/21)
The Hill: Massive Relief Bill Leaves Some Industries Happy, Others Disappointed
The unveiling of a massive coronavirus relief package on Monday drew praise from some business groups, while others criticized Congress for not including their top priorities as the pandemic stretches into 2021. Travel and entertainment companies secured sought-after provisions, but public sector unions and independent restaurants were largely left out of the $900 billion bill. (Gangitano, 12/21)
KHN: Surprise! Congress Takes Steps To Curb Unexpected Medical Bills
Most Americans tell pollsters they’re worried about being able to afford an unexpected medical bill. Late Monday, Congress passed a bill to allay some of those fears. The measure is included in a nearly 5,600-page package providing coronavirus economic relief and government funding for the rest of the fiscal year. (Appleby, 12/22)
