Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Trump Dips Toes Into Senate Negotiations After Weeks Of Sitting On Sidelines
The Associated Press: Trump: Not 'That Far Off' From Passing Health Overhaul
Making a final push, President Donald Trump said he doesn't think congressional Republicans are "that far off" on a health overhaul to replace "the dead carcass of Obamacare." Expressing frustration, he complained about "the level of hostility" in government and wondered why both parties can't work together on the Senate bill as GOP critics expressed doubt over a successful vote this week. It was the latest signs of high-stakes maneuvering over a key campaign promise, and the president signaled a willingness to deal. (6/25)
Bloomberg: Trump Starts To Jawbone Possible Republican Health-Bill Holdouts
President Donald Trump pressured the handful of Republican senators who may be planning to vote against Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s plan to overhaul Obamacare, days before the Senate is likely to begin debate on the measure. (Litvan and Dennis, 6/23)
The Wall Street Journal: Donald Trump On Senate Health Bill: A ‘Narrow Path’ But ‘I Think We’re Going To Get It’
President Donald Trump said he expects to see passage of the Senate Republican’s health care bill as negotiations proceed with the GOP lawmakers who have withheld support. “We have a few people that…want to get some points; I think they’ll get some points,” Mr. Trump said during a Fox News interview aired Sunday. (Witkowski, 6/25)
The Washington Post: Trump Joins The Effort To Pass A Health-Care Bill, But Another GOP Senator Is Opposed
After keeping the White House at a distance during the bill’s crafting, McConnell is suddenly more dependent on Trump — mainly to apply political pressure on skeptical conservatives. (Sullivan, Costa and Snell, 6/24)
USA Today: Trump, Obama Clash Over Health Care Bill Amid Uncertainty For Senate Republicans
In addition to disputes over costs and insurance rates for Americans, the health care debate also features the most public duel yet between President Trump and predecessor Barack Obama — including an argument over the use of the word "mean." "Well, he (Obama) used my term, 'mean,'" Trump said in an interview broadcast Sunday on Fox & Friends, adding that "I want to see a (health care) bill with heart." (Jackson and Schouten, 6/25)
Meanwhile, a look at the promises the president has made on health care —
The Washington Post: Trump Likely To Break Many Of His Health-Care Promises — No Matter What Happens
Donald Trump set himself apart from other Republican presidential candidates when it came to health care. Before taking office, he vowed “insurance for everybody” that would be “much less expensive and much better” and explicitly promised not to touch Medicaid, which millions of his working-class supporters rely upon to cover doctor’s visits and medication. But as Republicans in the Senate press ahead with legislation that would dramatically cut Medicaid and scale back the Affordable Care Act marketplaces, it is increasingly clear that President Trump is almost certain to fall well short of fulfilling those promises. (Wagner, Phillip and Johnson, 6/26)
The Associated Press: Promises, Promises: What Trump Has Pledged On Health Care
President Donald Trump is not known for plunging into the details of complex policy issues, and health care is no exception. Since his campaign days, Trump has addressed health care in broad, aspirational strokes. Nonetheless he made some clear promises along the way. Those promises come under two big headings. First, what Trump would do about the Affordable Care Act, his predecessor's health care law, often called "Obamacare." Second, the kind of health care system that Trump envisions for Americans. (6/26)
