Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Trump Blasts McCain, Puts Pressure On Wavering Senators
The New York Times: Trump Laces Into McCain Over His Opposition To Health Care Bill
President Trump on Saturday morning lashed out at Senator John McCain of Arizona for breaking with him and opposing Republicans’ latest plan to roll back the Affordable Care Act, saying the senator had let his state down and been deceived by Democrats into abandoning a promise. (Davis, 9/23)
The Associated Press: Trump Trying To Turn Around GOP Holdouts On Health Bill
Unwilling to concede defeat on a bedrock GOP promise, President Donald Trump on Saturday tried to sway two Republican holdouts on the party's last-ditch health care hope while clawing at his nemesis who again has brought the "Obamacare" repeal-and-replace effort to the brink of failure. Trump appealed to Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a possible "no" vote, to swing around for the sake of Alaskans up in arms over high insurance costs, and suggested that Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul might reverse his stated opposition "for the good of the Party!" (Lucey, 9/23)
Boston Globe: Trump Says McCain ‘Let Arizona Down’ By Opposing The GOP Health Care Bill
President Trump continued his criticism of Senator John McCain Saturday in a series of tweets that accused the Arizona legislator of letting his state down for opposing the GOP’s health care bill. (Gans, 9/23)
The Wall Street Journal: Trump Applies Late Pressure To Senators In Health-Bill Push
“Large Block Grants to States is a good thing to do. Better control & management,” Mr. Trump tweeted Saturday. “Great for Arizona. McCain let his best friend L.G. down!” Mr. McCain was the second Republican to oppose the bill, following Sen. Rand Paul (R., Ky.) On Friday Sen. Susan Collins (R., Maine) said she was leaning against the legislation. Mr. Trump said Saturday that he hoped to persuade Mr. Paul to change his mind. (Peterson, 9/23)
Bloomberg: Trump Names, Shames GOP Senators As Health Bill Hangs By Thread
Trump directed tweets at Senators Rand Paul of Kentucky and John McCain of Arizona. Both have said they’ll oppose the bill, meaning one more committed “no” will sink the legislation. “I know Rand Paul and I think he may find a way to get there for the good of the Party!” Trump told his 39 million followers. (Litvan and Dennis, 9/22)
The Hill: Trump Slams Democrats, McCain Over Health Care Bill
President Trump on Saturday chided Democrats who praised Sen. John McCain's (R-Ariz.) opposition to Senate Republicans' latest effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. "Democrats are laughingly saying that McCain had a 'moment of courage,'" he wrote on Twitter. "Tell that to the people of Arizona who were deceived. 116% increase!" (Greenwood. 9/23)
The Hill: Key Trump Aide: ObamaCare Repeal 'Not Dead'
White House legislative affairs director Marc Short on Sunday insisted that the Republican effort to repeal ObamaCare is not dead, despite a lack of support from several key GOP senators. “No, Chris, it’s not dead,” Short told Chris Wallace on “Fox News Sunday" when asked if the legislation is doomed. (Shelbourne, 9/24)
The Hill: Trump On Health Care Plan: ‘Eventually We’ll Win’
President Trump on Sunday afternoon expressed optimism over a Republican-led effort to repeal and replace ObamaCare. Speaking to reporters on the tarmac of Morristown Municipal Airport in New Jersey, Trump took a jab at Republican leaders who have either come out against or expressed doubt over the latest GOP health-care bill. (Conradis, 9/24)
