Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Virginia Republicans Who Voted To Expand Medicaid Emerge Mostly Unscathed Politically Despite Threats
The Washington Post: Medicaid Expanders In Virginia Mostly Escape Primary Challenges
When nearly two dozen Republican legislators voted last year to expand Medicaid in Virginia — a stunning flip on a marquee pledge to resist “Obamacare” — outraged conservatives vowed to oust them in party primaries. The conservative powerhouse Americans for Prosperity targeted them with radio and Facebook ads, organized “Stop Obamacare” meetings across the state and warned through a spokesman, “Politicians usually pay a price when they ignore their constituents.” (Vozzella, 6/4)
Iowa Public Radio: Amid Political Tensions, Transgender Iowans Wait For Care
This year has been a political roller coaster for the state’s transgender population. A March state Supreme Court decision overturned a ban on using state Medicaid dollars for transition-related surgery. Then lawmakers enacted a provision that would alter the Civil Rights Act so Medicaid could once again opt out of paying.This has left many transgender Iowans -- who make up just 0.3 percent of the state's population -- suddenly in limbo. (Krebs, 6/4)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Republicans Pass $588M Increase For Health Care Programs Without Tony Evers' Medicaid Expansion
Republican lawmakers voted Tuesday to add $588 million in new state funding for health care programs in Wisconsin under a spending plan that won't include Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ plan to expand Medicaid by tapping into $1 billion of federal funds. Lawmakers who write the state budget approved an overall $1.6 billion spending increase for the state Department of Health Services that includes a mix of state and federal funding. (Beck and Marley, 6/4)
