Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
The Evidence Is Clear: People Do Die From Lack Of Access To Health Insurance
McClatchy: People Die Without Health Care; Rep. Raúl Labrador Was Wrong
Rep. Raúl Labrador, R-Idaho, found himself in a pickle (and in a cameo in a Jimmy Kimmel monologue) when he suggested they don’t. He later elaborated that he was making the point that no one would “die in the streets” under the Republican health care plan, because hospitals are required by law to treat any patient in need of emergency care. But health care advocates say his explanation falls short of reality, pointing to a host of studies that show access to health care does prevent premature death, in the case of Americans with conditions such as cancer, diabetes, coronary heart disease, respiratory failure and asthma. (Clark, 5/9)
Los Angeles Times: Sen. Kamala Harris On Idaho Congressman's Healthcare Claim: 'What The ... Is That?'
California Sen. Kamala Harris had some heated words this week for an Idaho congressman's assertion at a town hall that “nobody dies because they don’t have access to healthcare." "Like this guy, this congressman, you might as well say, ‘People don't starve because they don't have food.' What the ... is that? What are you saying? How can you say that?" Harris said during an interview with Pod Save America, a podcast run by former Obama administration staffers. It was recorded live in front of an audience of more than 2,000 people in San Francisco, according to her staff. (Wire, 5/9)
