Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
The Devil They Know: Some Americans' Dread Of What Will Replace ACA Overtakes Distaste For Law
The New York Times: These Americans Hated The Health Law. Until The Idea Of Repeal Sank In.
Five years ago, the Affordable Care Act had yet to begin its expansion of health insurance to millions of Americans, but Jeff Brahin was already stewing about it. “It’s going to cost a fortune,” he said in an interview at the time. This week, as Republican efforts to repeal the law known as Obamacare appeared all but dead, Mr. Brahin, a 58-year-old lawyer and self-described fiscal hawk, said his feelings had evolved. “As much as I was against it,” he said, “at this point I’m against the repeal.” (Zernike and Goodnough, 7/20)
KCUR: Small Missouri Town Went For Trump, Now Some Fear Health Care Overhaul
It took just three questions before someone asked whether health insurance should be the basis of a health care system at all. Nearly everyone in the room raised their hands when [Sen. Claire] McCaskill asked who would favor extending Medicare coverage to everyone, of any age. The idea of a single-payer system for American health care is a non-starter for conservative lawmakers and think tanks, but has grown in popularity among the general public. A recent Politico poll found that 44 percent of respondents would support a federal health care program for everyone. (Bouscaren, 7/20)
Minnesota Public Radio: ACA Repeal Would Leave Many Minnesotans Without Health Insurance
As the "repeal and reform" effort stalled this week in the Senate, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ken., and President Trump floated an alternative strategy: repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) without a replacement. Although Republicans have promised to repeal Obamacare for years, it appears there are not enough votes in the Senate to do it. (Zdechlik, 7/21)
The Hill: Poll: Opposition To GOP Effort To Repeal And Replace ObamaCare Growing
A growing number of Americans think the GOP should give up its attempts to repeal and replace ObamaCare, according to a new survey. A CNN poll conducted by SSRS finds 35 percent of respondents think President Trump and GOP lawmakers should abandon their plans to repeal and replace ObamaCare. (Savransky, 7/20)
The Associated Press: Protesters Gather For Speaker Ryan At Massachusetts Stop
Protesters staged a small but boisterous rally Thursday outside a New Balance sneaker factory in Massachusetts where U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan was expected to discuss Republican plans for tax reform. The rally took place across from the factory in a historic mill building in Lawrence along the Merrimack River. More than 100 demonstrators held signs and shouted slogans criticizing Republican efforts to repeal former President Barack Obama’s health care law. (Marcelo, 7/20)
